Klondike Clean Water Retention Project - Phase 1

Several natural resources enhancements and flood damage reduction strategies have been identified in this area. The Beaches Lake Area Fen is a prairie rich fen that has been identified by DNR as one of the largest of its type in the lower 48 states. Portions of the fen have been degraded by farming practices and are located on the project site. The MNDNR and TRWD have jointly written a fen management plan and this project will begin plan implementation. Downstream reaches of the Two Rivers have been identified by the MPCA as impaired for fish and macroinvertebrates. These reaches experience flashy flows and become nearly or totally dry in late summer when rainfall is typically sparse, causing a major stressor for fish. Another stressor is upstream sources of sediment that impact the resource by causing turbidity, lowering dissolved oxygen, and increasing nutrients that promote excessive algal growth. Excessive floodwaters frequently impact public and private lands causing erosion, sedimentation, inundation of habitat, loss of crop land and damage to public infrastructure.

An interagency Project Work Team consisting of landownwers, local-state-federal government agencies, and non-government organizations convened and discussed the flooding and natural resources problems, identified a purpose and need, investigated a range of alternatives, and selected the preferred alternative. Substantial surface water, groundwater, and vegetative and biological monitoring has been done by local, regional, and state agencies to assess the resources and propose a project. The TRWD is pursuing the project through Minnesota Statute 103D.

This application is for phase 1 of 3 phases. Over 12 square miles of land have been obtained. 130 easement acres are needed. Structural measures will include changes to Lateral 1 of State Ditch #95 to provide an inlet for water to flow into the impoundment. A set back levy will be constructed along 8 miles of the ditch to provide a wide grassed area for water to flow. A low dike will be constructed around a 12 square mile area to hold the water and release it slowly over time. Several gated inlet controls and two gated outlet controls will allow for management of the flows into and out of the project. A detailed operating plan will identify how and when the project will be filled and emptied before, during and after runoff events. In general the impoundment will be filled during spring, summer and fall runoff events and will be slowly drained dry. The project will retire ag land to provide grassland and wetland habitat and the operating plan will address downstream fish habitat and provide flood control.

Project Team participants include the TRWD, Red River Watershed Management Board, International Water Institute, Red River Flood Damage Reduction Work Group, The Nature Conservancy, MN DNR, MPCA, Kittson County, Roseau County, various Townships, MN Board of Water & Soil Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kittson and Roseau SWCD's. Funding to date has been provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Red River Watershed Management Board, Enbridge, Flood Damage Reduction Work Group, and TRWD.