Posted on June 3, 2026
ROCHESTER — Olmsted County commissioners unanimously approved at least two years of annual funding for future dredging of Lake Zumbro.
An agreement approved Tuesday with the nonprofit Lake Zumbro Forever will provide up to $50,000 contributions in 2027 and 2028, with the potential of continuing the annual payments, if needed.
The proposed dredging, which is expected to start following the summer of 2027, is being planned as anticipated maintenance efforts related to the $7 million dredging effort conducted in 2019.
During a May conversation with commissioners, Cameron Maass, president of Lake Zumbro Forever, said the community group has been raising funds for the work and sought county support to expand efforts, which will include removing sediment near the county’s new boat launch at Lake Zumbro Park.
Commissioner Mark Thein said the proposed work is important to maintain the value of the county’s investment in creating access to the lake.
“If we don’t do the dredging in front of the public access, we’re not going to have a public access in a few years,” he said. “You’re going to get 10 feet out, run into a sandbar and you’re going to be out of luck.”
John Eckerman, a Lake Zumbro Forever board member, said the area near the county park would be a priority, but noted several areas in the southern portion of the lake are expected to be addressed, since downstream sediment is creating shallow water in that section of the lake.
County Administrator Travis Gransee noted in early discussions that some commissioners were reluctant to make a long-term commitment to future funding, which resulted in the agreement’s two-year timeframe.
The agreement calls for the county to make at least $50,000 available in 2027, with another $50,000 commitment in 2028. If funding isn’t used on one year, any remaining funds can be held for future work.
“We would be putting in quite a bit of money, and we would basically use you as an extra income source,” Eckerman told commissioners in May.
After 2028, the two-year funding cycle will continue to be renewed until commissioners opt to end it.
To support continued funding, Lake Zumbro Forever is expected to provide annual reports related to dredging efforts, as well as community fundraising.
In other county business, the commissioners approved the transfer of county-owned property at 504 Fourth Ave. SE to the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which will turn the site over to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans for the creation of housing for homeless veterans.
