Tri-County Sediment Reduction to the West Fork of the Des Moines River
Water flows without concern for political jurisdiction boundaries. This often means project work requires a little more coordination. Jackson, Cottonwood and Murray County did the extra coordination to land a grant to reduce sediment to the West Fork of the Des Moines River. The approved grant has four separate projects inthree counties.Jackson County has two projects: the Federated Rural Electric Association sediment control structure and the City of Jackson bioswale. The sediment control structure will be built with the capacity to store rainfall for a statistical once in 10 year 24 hour storm event. During a heavy rainfall, this will allow suspended solids to settle and storm water will slowly discharge over time. The second project will create a bioswale which will capture storm water runoff and slowly infiltrate that water through the soil leaving behind sediment within the swale.In Cottonwood County an existing sediment control structure on the Des Moines River in the City of Windom will be enhanced. This project will increase infiltration of water thus eliminating sediment from entering the Des Moines River in a residential area of Windom.Finally, in Murray County a sediment control structure will be created to hold back storm water, allowing sediment to settle out and allow the storm water to recharge the groundwater prior to being released.
Nicole Clapp
(c) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for nonpoint source pollution reduction and restoration grants to watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, and soil and water conservation districts for grants in addition to grants available under paragraphs (a) and (b) to keep water on the land and to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and to protect groundwater and drinking water. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants. (2011 - Clean Water Assistance)
This project will construct a sediment control structure in each of the three counties. Additionally, a bioswale will be constructed in Jackson county.
Three of the four projects were completed; Between the three projects, there will be a total reduction of 198 tons of sediment per year and 286 pounds of phosphorus per year.