Judicial Ditch 6 Water Quality Ditch Retrofit

The Bois De Sioux Watershed District (BdSWD) is partnering with the Wilkin & Traverse County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and petitioning landowners to complete a 103E drainage system repair to address erosion and sedimentation issues of Wilkin-Traverse Judicial Ditch (JD) 6. This project will reduce sediment loading to the south fork of the Rabbit River by 417 tons per year and total phosphorus by 384 lbs per year. This is a 12% annual sediment reduction to the Rabbit River making progress toward the 69% annual sediment reduction goal set by the 2010 TMDL to address the Rabbit River's turbidity impairment. This project proposes installation of 62 grade stabilization structures (i.e., side inlet structures) and 8 miles of continuous berms to be constructed as a permanent part of JD 6. The repair proceeding will acquire and establish all legally required grass buffers throughout the drainage system.

This JD 6 drainage retrofit project is part of a larger effort within the watershed to use agricultural best management practices (BMPs) to reduce peak flows into public drainage systems, provide better erosion control, reduce sediment, and improve water quality to receiving waters. Through engagement between the BdSWD, two SWCDs and multiple landowners, this project has evolved from a simple, short-term ditch cleanout to a commitment to comprehensive water quality enhancement and long-term solutions in highly productive agricultural lands. The overall, long-term benefit of these efforts include reduced soil erosion and sedimentation of the drainage system, reduced pollutant loading, increased ditch functionality, reduced peak flows, and a sustainable solution to the issues that results in lower drainage system maintenance costs while providing water quality benefits.