The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, has entered into a project partnership agreement with the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District to build the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Marsh Lake is on the Minnesota River between Swift and Lac qui Parle counties near Ortonville, Minnesota.
The Marsh Lake project involves restoring the environment by improving the waterfowl habitat and the aquatic species in the area.
The restoration plan includes rerouting the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel, constructing a drawdown structure and a fish passage at the Marsh Lake Dam and breaching the abandoned fish pond at the dam.
At less than 5 percent of the average cost for a habitat restoration project of this size, this project is expected to provide significant return in environmental and habitat restoration benefits.
The Corps is working in partnership with the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District, as its non-federal sponsor, as well as other external stakeholders such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to ensure the project’s success.