Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed District

The meeting focused on flood elevation and dike requirements for the Newfolden and Middle River project areas. Key discussions involved FEMA's determined Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for Newfolden being 1,098.1', requiring a dike elevation of 1,101.1'. The top of the CP Railroad rail was noted as being 1.5' lower than the required dike elevation. A concern was raised regarding modeling storage, with a preference expressed for increasing the diversion modeling downstream area from 1 mile to 2 miles. Technical details regarding rain-caused runoff, or Antecedent #2, indicated that a 6.5" rain event would be required to reach BFE under average soil moisture conditions, leaving approximately 3.0' of freeboard on the dike. The attendees concluded the formal discussion by touring the Brandt Angus Coulee Impoundment and the Off Channel Storage Site.

This document outlines the feasibility report and plan of work for the Judicial Ditch #14 Watershed Plan. Initiated by the Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed District, the plan details a comprehensive strategic planning process from March 2016 to September 2019. Its core focus is to address significant resource concerns within the watershed, including flooding, erosion, and drainage issues impacting agricultural production and public infrastructure. Key phases involve developing purpose and need statements, scoping environmental assessments, evaluating the affected environment, and developing and assessing various alternatives such as increasing temporary flood storage, reducing flood volume, increasing conveyance, and implementing protection/avoidance strategies.

The meeting included updates on the RCPP agreement and the status of Review Points 2, 3, and 4. Discussions covered existing conditions hydrology and hydraulics modeling, potential updates to maps to reflect changing CRP lands, and whether the Purpose meets Alternative Review Point 4. Lilac Ridge Road's role as an impound area, culvert sizing, and possible impoundment sites downstream were also discussed. Concerns were raised about increased flow causing erosion issues and the potential impact of dropped culverts on shallow wells. The PWT considered various options, and Tony will continue working on alternatives and submitting Review Point 4 to the NRCS.

The meeting focused on the Judicial Ditch #14 RCPP project. The purpose and needs of the project is to provide drainage for a 10-year, 24-hour rain event. New alternatives were presented that include smaller retention sites, grade stabilization and drainage improvements that would minimize environmental impacts. Three locations were identified as practical sites for retention. The likelihood of the Project receiving another extension at this time was not promising. The next step is to perform an environmental impact study for the new locations.

The meeting addressed drainage problems in the Swift Coulee and Marshall County Ditch 3, a system partly designated as protected waters by the DNR. A profile survey revealed sediment accumulation in the channel. The DNR recommended an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) before cleaning, along with soil borings to determine the original channel bottom. Potential project types were reviewed, including cleaning the coulee, improving CD #3, channel restoration, setback levee, retention/impoundment, natural resource enhancement, or a combination. The Swift Coulee sub-watershed was identified for retention in the Red River Watershed Management Board's Distributive Detention Study. Funding sources for retention, channel restoration, and natural resource enhancement projects were discussed. Participants noted that the Snake River outlet's flow restriction contributes to water backup. It was decided that Houston Engineering and the Watershed District would examine the system's reaches with local landowners.