Posted on November 17, 2016
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District; the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District will celebrate the start of construction to build the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project with a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21.
According to a news release, the ceremony will be held at Marsh Lake Dam, off 100th Street Southwest, near Appleton, and will feature speakers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Upper Minnesota River Watershed District and others.
The Marsh Lake project involves restoring the environment by improving the waterfowl habitat and the aquatic species in the area. The restoration plan includes rerouting the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel and constructing a drawdown structure and a fish passage at the Marsh Lake Dam. At less than 5 percent of the average cost for a habitat restoration project of this size, this project is expected to provide significant returns in environmental and habitat restoration benefits.
The Corps is working in partnership with the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District, as its non-federal sponsor, as well as other external stakeholders such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to ensure the project’s success.
Source: Tribune
