Loren Benz Wetland
Minnesota | Agriculture
Overview
ISG worked with the Faribault County Drainage Authority and a private land owner to develop the most cost effective and hydrologically beneficial system for the public ditch and developed a multi-purpose wetland plan for the watershed.
Opportunity
Incorporate a large-scale, multi-purpose drainage management plan into a large tributary of Minnesota River.
Solution
During the repair of Open Ditch 514, it was discovered that a tile branch draining into the ditch was starting to deteriorate and fail due to the age of the system. The tile system was located on the property of private land owner within the wetland, and it was determined there was no way to legally or hydrologically repair the two public tiles to meet modern-day regulations and drainage standards, due to the Open Ditch’s lack of depth.
ISG was asked to repair tile system while including a wetland restoration though the areas where the tile was failing and develop a multi-purpose wetland plan for the watershed to help determine the best solution for both the system and the land. It was determined that restoring the wetland and basin will generate the best outcome for all parties as it will save money for the public drainage system and is the best possible solution for drainage and water quality perspective. Creating a win-win situation for all entities involved, ISG worked with both public and the private land owners to provide options for the public water systems which includes installing a storage basin to minimize flooding in downstream waterways and put together a wetland restoration plan for sale of Wetland Credits.
ISG is in the process of finalizing wetland restoration design and the new tile system so that it can be successfully daylighted into the updated system.