Water Quantity and QUALITy:
103D Projects & programs
The Bois de Sioux Watershed District has many active projects in various states of development and construction, authorized by Minnesota Statute Chapter 103D. The District uses the Flood Damage Reduction Work Group's Project Team approach to design and develop projects.
The Red River Basin Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee (BTSAC) Briefing Papers have been developed by a collaborative team and provide shared technical standards utilized by the Bois de Sioux Watershed District and other Red River Basin watershed districts.
Water Quantity, Storage & Impoundments
Redpath Flood Impoundment (Phased Construction)Water Quality & Sediment Control
Multi-Benefit Stream/River Rehabilitations & Restorations
Impoundments
Impoundments are an important tool to provide water storage during flood events, reducing damages to roads, bridges, drainage systems, businesses, homesteads, and agricultural lands. Impoundments are also an opportunity to provide habitat to migrating species, and provide a tourist destination for bird watching. Although packed with benefits, impoundments are complicated projects, involving many landowners, many permitting agencies, and many funding partners.
The Bois de Sioux Watershed District has completed one impoundment project (North Ottawa Flood Impoundment), and is in the process of developing a second (the Redpath Flood Impoundment and associated Mustinka River Rehabilitation Project).
North Ottawa Flood Impoundment
The North Ottawa Flood Impoundment Project began in 1989; construction was completed in 2016. This facility provides storage for spring floods, and is utilized year-round to provide natural resource enhancements - including unique opportunities for bird and waterfowl watching.
More information about the North Ottawa Impoundment (and visiting) can be found here. A printable version is available here.A description of how the cells were used in 2022 is available here.
Directions: Located at 45.992261, -96.255545 https://goo.gl/maps/wZYVpxijhQR8p9AV8
From I-94: Take Exit 100, and head west on State Highway 27. Drive approximately 36 miles to Herman. At the four-way stop in Herman, take a right/head northwest onto State Highway 9. Drive 14.5 miles. Take a right/head east onto Grant County 95 for 2.5 miles.
From Wendell: Take County Road 11 south out of Wendell for 2.6 miles. Take a right/head west onto Grant County 42. Drive 7.5 miles.
From Fargo/Moorhead: Take Highway 75 south. Just before Doran, MN, follow the split for State Highway 9 and continue along State Highway 9 for 18.2 miles. Turn left/head east onto Grant County 95 for 2.5 miles.
Redpath Flood Impoundment & Mustinka River Rehabilitation Project
The Redpath Flood Impoundment and Mustinka River Rehabilitation Projects will be located in Traverse and Grant Counties, northwest of Norcross, Minnesota. Over five miles of the Mustinka River will be re-meandered within a two-stage flood corridor channel. The design recreates a natural river sinuosity with flow controls that will stabilize the channel and protect it from future erosion. Materials excavated from the rehabilitated Mustinka River two-stage channel will be used to build the north levy of the Redpath flood impoundment. There is widespread support (from landowners, Grant & Traverse Counties, and state agency representatives) for the Redpath Flood Impoundment and Mustinka River Rehabilitation Projects. Phase 1 is Done! Please watch this video showcasing 2022 construction: https://youtu.be/FW2X7M1NwoQ:
Phases 2 & 3: The Mustinka River Rehabilitation project is located in Traverse and Grant Counties, immediately north of the Redpath Flood impoundment. Over five miles of the Mustinka River will be re-meandered within a two-stage flood corridor channel. The design recreates a natural river sinuosity with flow controls that will stabilize the channel and protect it from future erosion. This project will be constructed concurrently with the Redpath Flood Impoundment Project; materials excavated from the rehabilitated Mustinka River two-stage channel will be used to build the north levy of the Redpath flood impoundment. There is widespread support (from landowners, Grant & Traverse Counties, and state agency representatives) for the Mustinka River Rehabilitation and Redpath Flood Impoundment Projects.
This project will be a significant bird and wildlife watching destination.
Letters of Support:
Grant County Commissioners
Traverse County Commisioners
Flood Damage Reduction Work Group
Red Red Basin Commission
Red Red River Watershed Management Board
Financial Awards:
Financial awards have been provided by the State of Minnesota Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Fund, the State of Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the State of Minnesota BWSR Clean Water Fund Legacy Amendment Act Projects and Practices and Mutlipurpose Drainage Management and Water Quality & Storage Pilot Program Grants, DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Program, the Red River Watershed Management Board, and State of Minnesota Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant.
If you are interested in the design of these projects, please watch this video by District Engineer Chad Engels, explaining project phases in more detail - https://youtu.be/B6gN-HOX8dg):
Outlet Projects
Controlling outlet elevations and ensuring outlet channel stability are important tools to control lake elevations and downstream conditions. The Bois de Sioux Watershed District is cooperatively working with township, county, and state agency representatives on two outlet projects. Development continues for connected Elbow and Samantha Lakes. Construction will likely begin in 2023 on replacement of the Lightning Lake Outlet. This project is supported in part by a State of Minnesota Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Counsil and Partners Legacy Program Grant.
District Cost Share Programs
Ring Dike Cost Share Program
Ring Dikes are an important tool to provide protection to property during flood events. Landowners interested in building a ring dike should first fill out a permit application. Outside funding may be availabe. Please review the Ring Dike Cost Share Policy and Cost Share Agreement.
Culvert Sizing Cost Share Program
Culvert sizing can be used to reduce peak flood flows and direct excess flows to temporary distributive storage. The District has implemented a Culvert Sizing Cost Share Program, described here.
Water Quality and Sediment Control
LAKE TRAVERSE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1
A landowner meeting was held on September 19, 2019 at 1 pm at the Wheaton American Legion to present project costs and possible project funding streams. Landowners had an opportunity to ask questions and provide project feedback. Pictures available here.
An extreme weather event in the mid 1900's cut a deep channel through the sandy hills surrounding Lake Traverse. Over the past 50 years, the channel has deepened, and the current has carried sediment into Lake Traverse - creating a penninsula at the outlet.
In response to landowner requests, Bois de Sioux Watershed Board Managers have made this project a top priority. Phases 1 and 2 are complete. The final phase - Phase 3 - is currently under construction.
Financial Awards:
Financial awards have been provided by the State of Minnesota BWSR Clean Water Fund Legacy Amendment Act Projects and Practices and Watershed Implementation Fund Grants, the Red River Watershed Management Board, and State of Minnesota Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant.