Modern Culverts
This project is part of a long-term, collaborative effort that will lead to cleaner water through targeted implementation projects and programs. It will accelerate the adoption of alternative culvert designs that improve biological connectivity and channel stability, reduce the flood stage and lower long-term infrastructure maintenance costs.
Minnesota’s public roads intersect natural perennial flowing watercourses at approximately 65,000 locations. Many of the culverts at these locations are failing and require replacement. The culvert replacement and incentive program established by this project will provide financial and technical assistance for counties and other local governments to modernize culvert systems to improve climate resiliency, restore fish communities, and reduce sediment loads, thereby also addressing two major types of water quality impairment: excess sediment and inability to support aquatic life.
$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for providing technical and financial assistance for county and local governments to replace failing or ineffective culverts using modern designs that restore floodplain connectivity, biological connectivity, and channel stability. This appropriation is available for up to two additional years.
In FY25 DNR will continue to offer cost-share grants for projects that replace improperly sized or failing culverts using a DNR-approved Geomorphic Approach design that aims to address channel erosion, ecological connectivity, and floodplain connectivity. Submitted proposals will be evaluated and ranked for priority based on several criteria. DNR will select 3-5 high priority projects and begin working with local partners. Initial phases will include data collection, analysis, preliminary designs, and estimating the project cost.
The DNR will support construction on 3 culvert replacements currently under contract.
$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for providing technical and financial assistance for county and local governments to replace failing or ineffective culverts using modern designs that restore floodplain connectivity, biological connectivity, and channel stability. This appropriation is available for up to two additional years.
The DNR will initiate a new program to offer cost-share grants for projects that replace improperly sized or failing culverts using a DNR-approved geomorphic design that aims to address channel erosion, ecological connectivity, and floodplain connectivity. In FY24, we propose to develop and publish a request for grant proposals. Submitted proposals will be evaluated and ranked for priority based on several criteria. DNR will select high priority projects and begin working with local partners. Initial phases will include data collection, analysis, preliminary designs, and estimating the project cost.
Request for Grant Proposals: Staff developed and published a request for grant proposals in September of 2023, with 10 proposals being received in FY24. Four of these proposals have been approved and processed for funding so far.
Selected Projects for Funding: Submitted proposals were evaluated and ranked for priority based on several criteria. DNR selected 4 high priority projects and begin working with local partners.
Assistance with Design: Currently assisting with 10 designs which includes collecting data, data analysis, preliminary design, and estimating project cost.
Completed Projects: Currently 1 project has been completed and 3 additional culverts are nearing construction.