2020 - Sediment Reduction in the Flute Reed River Watershed
An approved Total Maximum Daily Load study (TMDL) and other studies and plans for the Flute Reed River have led to sources with identified areas and methods for reducing sediment into the river. It has been identified that some of the largest sediment loading into the river takes place in the mid-section of the watershed with heavy clay soils and flashy hydrology from near channel sources. Other sources identified include overland flow through open lands management and forestry practices, beaver activity, tributaries, ditch maintenance, and improper culverts.
The proposed projects' purpose is to apply multiple strategies, identified within the TMDL, as a watershed approach within the granting period to improve water quality. Anticipated benefits include reduction of sediment loading into the system, cooler water temperatures, and community understanding of the watershed.
Midway up in the watershed, a tributary beginning to slump will be re-stabilized and restored. Moving down the watershed into the main river, the removal of a Hewitt Ramp identified by the MN DNR as a fish barrier and eroding the banks will be removed and the banks re-stabilized and re-vegetated. Working with willing landowners, areas will be re-vegetated with species that are not the first preference to beaver and that are adaptable for climate change. The main road system has a connected ditching system that leads to the river. There is approximately 3,000 linear feet identified in need of additional attention to reduce sediment into the river. Through re-vegetation and rock-checks as needed after final assessment, practices will be installed. All proposed projects are estimated to reduce sediment loading by 263 tons/year, a reduction estimated of 30% of sediment loading from throughout the watershed into the river. Continued outreach through neighborhood meetings will provide landowners with the opportunity to visit previous and current project sites expanding their watershed understanding.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $16,000,000 the first year and $16,000,000 the second year are for grants to local government units to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of this money may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water.
One tributary bank stabilized (25.8 tons/yr); one hewitt ramp removed and bank re-stabilized and re-vegetated (11.4 tons/yr); Estimated 3,000 ft. of flow (188 tons/yr); riparian re-vegetation (37.8 tons/yr); 5 landowners engaged in projects.
This project accomplished all of the proposed projects. A tributary of the Flute Reed River was stabilized by installing an instream structure to re-direct the stream away from an eroding bank. This project resulted in an annual 30-ton reduction of total suspended solids. A failing fish passage structure on the Flute Reed River was acting as a barrier to fish passage and was causing erosion. This failing structure was removed, resulting in an annual reduction of 7.56 tons of total suspended solids. In addition, 18,000 trees were planted throughout the watershed to help reduce overland flow and sediment transport. Trees were also planted in riparian areas which resulted in an annual reduction of 7.19 tons of total suspended solids. At least 5 landowners were engaged with these projects. All planned activities were completed, but the as built sediment reduction estimates were somewhat lower than modeled estimates.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS