Nine-Foot Channel Maintenance

The Minnesota River is an important navigational channel for both commercial and recreational uses. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is the local sponsor for the nine-foot navigation channel (the channel) maintenance conducted by the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). The channel extends from the confluence of the Minnesota River and Mississippi River upstream to the River Mile Post (RMP) 14.7. As the local sponsor, the LMRWD must provide locations for the storage and disposal of material dredged from the river to maintain navigation. The LMRWD owns and operates a dredge material placement site at RMP 14.2 (12020 Vernon Avenue South) in the City of Savage. 

In 2015, the LMRWD adopted Resolution 15-12, initiating proceedings to permanently modify the channel through the acquisition of a disposal site and development of a project. This resolution made management of dredge material a permanent capital improvement project (CIP) of the LMRWD. In 2017, the LMRWD was successful in obtaining state funding to assist with its role as local sponsor in managing dredge material. The LMRWD received an appropriation through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) of $480,000 for the biennium. In 2019, the LMRWD developed plans and acquired permits to bring the dredge material placement site up to industry standards for storage of dredge materials. The project was constructed in the fall of 2020, with final vegetation in 2021. The project established two storage areas, one for storage of dredge from the main channel and another for containment, allowing for the placement of dredge material from private barge terminals. 

The LMRWD continues to work with USACE on the navigation channel maintenance by following the USACE Dredged Material Management Plan for reaches of the Minnesota River upstream of the I-35W Bridge. The LMRWD also works with local industry partners to temporarily store material dredged from private barge slips. The dredge site is an important component of successfully maintaining the channel. 

Cargill East River Dredge Material Site Management Plan