The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, recently awarded a $5.9 million to RTS Shearing, LLC, of Jamestown, North Dakota, to complete Phase 1 of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Marsh Lake is on the Minnesota River between Swift and Lac qui Parle counties near Ortonville, Minnesota.
This project involves restoring the environment by improving the waterfowl habitat and the aquatic species in the area.
Phase 1 includes constructing a drawdown structure and a fish passage at the Marsh Lake Dam. Phase 2 of the project includes rerouting the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel for an additional cost of approximately $3.5 million.
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.