Restoration of Middle Fork Crow River / CD47
The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District (MFCRWD) has been working towards projects that are estimated to reduce 797 tons of sediment, 160 lbs of phosphorous, and eliminate sources of E. coli of which the river is impaired for. In addition, the projects will help and increase aquatic recreation, wildlife habitat, and stabilize public drainage system.
The MFCRWD is partnering with Meeker County and Meeker County SWCD to address bank erosion, channel sedimentation and E. coli sources on a 12.2-mile reach of the Middle Fork Crow River (AUID 07010204-511), also known as Meeker County Ditch 47 (CD47). The MFCR discharges to the North Fork Crow River (NFCR), both of which are impaired for E. coli. This reach of the river was channelized and designated as a public drainage system in 1919 and has largely remained untouched since. The MFCRWD conducted a physical assessment of CD47 through an FY2015 BWSR Clean Water Fund Accelerated Implementation Grant (AIG)to determine the state of channel erosion and prioritize locations for stabilization in future phases. Monitoring of the identified sites was conducted in 2020 to reassess the sites and determine preliminary engineers? estimates. This CWF grant would supplement Project 2017-01 that the MFCRWD Board of Managers have ordered under M.S. 103D.605 to partially fund final design and construction of seven (7) stream restoration projects, and this grant would. This project will be constructed in two phases and will consist of practices such as toe-protection, bank resloping and stabilization, canopy thinning and selective tree-removal to encourage root growth, in-channel livestock exclusion and installation of twenty-six stream barbs to further protect the streambank.
The MFCRWD will work with the Meeker County Drainage Authority to obtain construction and maintenance easements through the M.S. 103E process. Meeker SWCD will assist with landowner outreach and cost-share assistance for additional projects.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $10,762,000 the first year and $11,504,000 the second year are for grants to local government units to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water.
Reductions of 797 tons of sediment (76% of project goal, 14% Plan goal), 160 lbs of TP (8% of plan goal), and reduce E. coli / fecal coliform counts by removing 30-60 head of cattle, making extensive progress towards the 60% TMDL reduction goal.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS