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Iverson Lake could be lowered
Published Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lowering Iverson Lake southeast of Fergus Falls may be necessary to protect County Highway 25 from becoming submerged by water.
On Tuesday the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners approved the spending of $11,500 to study the impact of a proposed drainage corridor.
County Engineer Rick West said it’s possible that costs for the drainage project could be split three ways — among Otter Tail County, Buse Township and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) which operates the Iverson Lake rest stop along Interstate 94.
West estimates an outlet, under County Highway 25 to the south of Iverson Lake, would cost between $30,000 and $40,000.
“It’s important that this study proceed since road safety and other factors are involved,” West said. “This is an important county issue, with protection of County Highway 25 at stake.”
Houston Engineering of Thief River Falls will conduct a site review of the Iverson Lake Basin while working with area residents and compiling a list of their concerns. The county has the option of completing survey work or adding to the project as it moves forward.
“We’re open to the county’s ideas in making this process the most efficient it can be, and useful,” said Jeffrey Langan of Houston Engineering.
One job of the consultants will be to verify data of culverts and bridges of interest along the proposed drainage corridor. One of those culverts was along Old Highway 25 that was closed back in the 1960s.
Another task is to prepare a model of the drainage corridor from the discharge point of Iverson Lake to the Orwell Reservoir southwest of Fergus Falls and south of Dayton Hollow Dam along the Otter Tail River.
Houston Engineering also will develop a tabulation of estimated surface water elevation changes due to potential discharge of Iverson Lake.
For several years drivers along Interstate 94, and those who stop at the rest area, have seen firsthand effects of the rising water at Iverson Lake. Scores of trees once on land and now in water have died. At the park itself, picnic tables now stand in water.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Mel (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's with all these studies? Just lower it!
Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on June 4, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There working on that study to decide if further studies are required.
Posted by Blitzen (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Engineering studies are pretty much standard fare here. Any time you move water, there are lots of liabilities and concerns to address.
The DNR is involved, and often time the Corps of Engineers must be consulted. If there are any Fish and Wildlife easements downstream, those will also come into play in regard to when you can move water, and how much.
After the engineering studies are done, the county will often hire a ditch viewing crew to determine who benefits and to what extent from lowering the water level. At this point, it gets to be redundant, IMO, but it still is a hurdle to be passed if you want the water to be moved.
The county has done a pretty good job on a couple of past projects, so they do know what they are doing.
Looking at the numbers, it looks to be a pretty cheap soloution. Without it, there could be lawsuits and court injunctions. Now THAT would get expensive.
The South Turtle Lake project cost about $350,000 for a comparison.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on June 5, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blitzen, I know that, but many times the solution is so simple that it may be just a matter of cleaning out a natural waterway.
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