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.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(a) $13,591,000 the first year and $13,375,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
Reduce sediment by 598 tons/year in the Lower Thief/State Ditch 83 planning zone. This will achieve 25% of the 10-year reduction goal for the Lower Thief/State Ditch 83 planning zone of 2,335 tons/year.
This project funded implementation of eight streambank protection and gully stabilization projects, resulting in reduced sediment loading to the Lower Thief River by 1,027 tons/year of sediment.
Funds covered targeted outreach to landowners, a feasibility study for a potential Mud River Restoration project, and technical and engineering work to support implementation. Work primarily addressed sediment loading, which is a priority in the Thief River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Work was done in priority areas.
The work was completed on budget with a one-year grant extension. Clean Water Funds provided leverage for the partnership to pursue and secure additional funds totaling 36,601 from the Red River Watershed Management Board Flood Damage Reduction Work Group.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS