2020 - Thief River Watershed Based Funding

The Lower Thief River/State Ditch 83 planning zone is a priority in the Thief River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. The Lower Thief River is impaired for sediment and negatively impacts the drinking water supply for the City of Thief River Falls. The overall reduction in sediment needed to attain water quality standards is 2,507 tons/year (HSPF), while the 10-year plan goal is a reduction of 2,335 tons/year (PTMApp). This project will target grade stabilization structures, streambank stabilizations, and priority agricultural practices principally in the Lower Thief/State Ditch 83 planning zone, but also in upstream contributing Mud River/Judicial Ditch 11 and Marshall County Ditch 20 Tier 1 priority planning zones and Lost River (Branch 200 of Judicial Ditch 11), Judicial Ditch 30/18/13, and Upper Thief/State Ditch 83 Tier 2 priority planning zones. The targeted practices are estimated to reduce sediment in the Lower Thief/State Ditch 83 planning zone by 598 tons/year, which will achieve 25% of the 10-year plan goal. A Biennial Workplan has been developed and approved by the Thief River Policy Committee and is attached to this request.