Halvorson Streambank Restoration
The Halvorson Streambank Stabilization site is located three miles north of the City of Thief River Falls on the Thief River. The Thief River is impaired for low dissolved oxygen and turbidity. A TMDL study began in 2010. These impairments affect fish spawning habitat, recreation and the drinking water supply of Thief River Falls. Studies show that 63% of the sediment in the Thief River is coming from the banks of the river itself. Stabilizing this bank will reduce the turbidity and low dissolved oxygen impairments. This reduction will be a result of preventing further undercutting of the bank and sloughing of soil into the river.Reduction in sediment will reduce the pace at which the Thief River Falls Reservoir is filling in. In the past, it was estimated the reservoir would require dredging every 50 years. The last dredging was needed only 35 years later. The City of Thief River Falls uses the reservoir as a drinking water supply. Treatment of this water is a major expense to the City. Reducing pollutants and sediment will be a benefit to the city of Thief River Falls and its residents.Further downstream, the City of Grand Forks pulls its drinking water from the Red Lake River, making this project a regional priority. Turbidity is a concern of the Red River of the North, reducing sediment in the Red River Basin is an international priority in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Nicole Clapp
(g) $2,330,000 the first year and $1,830,000 the second year are for grants to implement stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline protection, and restoration projects to protect water quality. Of this amount, $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year may be used for technical assistance and grants to establish a conservation drainage program in consultation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Drainage Work Group that consists of pilot projects to retrofit existing drainage systems with water quality improvement practices, evaluate outcomes, and provide outreach to landowners, public drainage authorities, drainage engineers and contractors, and others. Of this amount, $500,000 the first year is for a grant to Hennepin County for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization in the ten primary stream systems in Hennepin County in order to protect, enhance, and help restore the water quality of the streams and downstream receiving waters. The county shall work with watershed districts and water management organizations to identify and prioritize projects. To the extent possible, the county shall employ youth through the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust to plant trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks. This appropriation must be matched by nonstate sources, including in-kind contributions (2011 - Shoreland Improvement)
Reduction in sediment will reduce the pace at which the Thief River Falls Reservoir is filling in.
Pollution reduction estimates include 81 lbs/yr of phosphorus and 70 tons/yr sediment (TSS).