Vernon Avenue Dredge Management Site

The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) removes sediment from the Minnesota River to keep the navigation channel open for both commercial and recreational use. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is responsible for disposing of material dredged from the Minnesota River by USACE. As landfills in the area were scaling back operations or closing, it became increasingly difficult to find acceptable ways to reuse the dredge material. In 2006, the LMRWD purchased a site for dredge material at River Mile Post 14.2 in Savage, MN. A Dredge Material Management Plan was developed in 2013 and discussed potential reuse opportunities. In 2016, Burns & McDonnell was commissioned to estimate the LMRWD’s cost to manage and dispose of dredge material over the next 25 years.

Part of the operation and maintenance of the site includes maintaining Vernon Avenue and providing regular culvert cleanings of the culvert under the access road from Vernon Avenue to the site. In 2015, American Engineering Testing, Inc. completed an evaluation of Vernon Avenue that concluded the roadway was nearing the end of its lifespan and that pavement strength was not adequate for heavy truck loading. In 2022, field assessments of the site showed Vernon Avenue in disrepair, and the access road culvert showed signs of joint separation. To maintain dredge site operations, Vernon Avenue and access road repair and culvert replacement are planned for 2023.

The Vernon Avenue and Access Road Culvert Improvements project is currently underway. The LMRWD released a request for information on February 10, 2023. Bolton & Menk Inc. was commissioned as the project’s design engineer and ISG was commissioned to perform services associated with wetland delineation and environmental permitting. To date, soil borings, wetland delineation, and topographic surveys have been completed.

2019 Wetland Delineation

Threatened & Endangered Species Delineation

Dredge Site Concept Plan (12-21-18)

Estimate of Probable Cost Cargill East River (MN – 14.2 RMP) Dredge Material Site

Special Benefit Study Pertaining to the Maintenance of the 9-Foot Navigation Channel