Warroad River Inchannel Sedimentation Analysis

Lake of the Woods (LOW) is a resource with local, regional, state, and international significance and is the second largest lake in Minnesota. Over the past three decades the Warroad River Harbor in LOW has experienced severe sedimentation problems. The sedimentation has led to frequent dredging to remove excess sediment and protect this vital resource. However, it is unsustainable to continue dredging the harbor without also addressing the sources of upstream sediment within the Warroad River watershed. As such, there is a significant need to quantify the sources of sediment and to target specific upstream sediment management practices to address the sediment issues. The proposed project will analyze the in-channel sediment budget of the Warroad River and how it affects the Warroad River harbor area (Reach of Interest (ROI)). The results of this project will supplement the recently completed Sediment Source Assessment Report of the Warroad River (HEI, 2013) which quantified sediment source contribution from overland sources. This project will also build upon work to target projects with measurable benefits to LOW done as part of the LOW Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS). The outcome of this project will be information and data products that can be used to build a targeted implementation plan to address sediment issues in the Warroad River, ultimately resulting in reduced sedimentation within Warroad Harbor and improved water quality within LOW.