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.

Key Points
  • Multi-Purpose Drainage Management Plan
  • Increased capacity + flows
  • Permanent erosion controls
  • 37-acre wetland and a 1.2-acre pond with 50-acre feet of storage
  • 800 linear foot, two-stage ditch
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