Blue Earth County JD9

Blue Earth County, MN | Water

Overview

Working collaboratively with key stakeholders, ISG’s ongoing improvements to Blue Earth County Judicial Ditch 9 (JD 9) maximized water storage capabilities, improved water quality, and enhanced conditions for crop production.


Opportunity

Located in the Le Sueur River watershed, JD 9 provides drainage to approximately 2,112 acres that drains into the Le Sueur River. The 100-year-old JD 9 system had deteriorated over time and was experiencing significant failure. Taking a holistic approach, ISG developed a Multi-Purpose Drainage Management (MDM) Plan to provide focused solutions on the entire system.

Solution

ISG’s expert water resources team developed a comprehensive MDM Plan, building on previous repairs such as the installation of an 800 linear foot two-stage ditch to slow down water flow and reduce erosion over time. Achieving a range of purposes and goals, the MDM Plan solutions included strategies to maintain water levels and permanently control erosion, improve water storage through a 1.2-acre pond and open ditch control structure, and increase drainage coefficient for the buried tile system increasing capacity and flow rates. Additionally, a 37-acre wetland was developed to better manage water resources within the system.

Through combined partnership efforts of landowners, the Blue Earth County Drainage Authority, Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and ISG professionals, the JD 9 watershed has had significant water system projects completed over the last 20 years, maximizing water storage capabilities, improving water quality, and enhancing conditions for crop production.


Business Unit News

ISG Celebrates 50 Years of Business, Ready for 50 More

March 21, 2023 (Mankato, Minnesota) – ISG turns 50 years old in 2023. The firm of over 500 multi-disciplinary professionals, ranging from architects and designers to engineers, technologists, marketers, and project managers, now spans across four states across the upper Midwest with 11 offices.
Read More

Environmental Firm to Host Southern Minnesota Lake Resources Conference

March 14, 2023 (Mankato, Minnesota) – ISG will host the inaugural Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes Conference on April 22, 2023, in Mankato, Minnesota. The conference will equip community members, lake associations, and lake stewards with the tools, approaches, and resources to care for the lakes of Southern Minnesota.
Read More