Turtle Creek Watershed District
Established: November 14th, 1968
Mailing Address 1408 21st Ave NW Suite 2 Austin, Mn. 55912
Meeting Date: 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:00 PM City of Hollandale and Riceland Township Government Center Hollandale, Mn. 56045
Attorney: Kurt A. Deter Rinke-Noonan 1015 W. St. Germain St. Suite 300 PO Box 1497 St. Cloud, Mn. 56302 320-251-6700 email: Kdeter@rnoon.com
Recording Secretary Nancy K. Finley 24701 515th Ave Austin, Mn. 55912 507-438-4473 email: nancykfinley@gmail.com
Terms: 3 years
Michelle O’Connor 28933 872nd Ave Austin, Mn. 55912
507-438-1939 email: shell.ann@outlook.com
Jeff Ravenhorst 82329 290th St. Hollandale, Mn 56045
Jon
The following Officers for 2023 were elected:
Chairperson Michelle O’Connor
Vice Chairman Dave Vanderploeg
Treasurer Jon Erichson
Secretary Peter Van Erkel
Manager Jeff Ravenhorst
Turtle Creek Watershed District Advisory Committee elected March 2021:
Allan Ravenhorst Hollandale, Mn. 56045 507-383-6893
Brad Edwards Hollandale, Mn 56045 507-383-9445
Dean Reed Hollandale, Mn. 56045 507-402-0403
Mike DenHerder Hollandale, Mn 56045 507-383-1078
Arlen Schamber Austin Mn 55912 507-993-3985
The Turtle Creek Watershed Board of Managers held 12 regular meetings during the 2022 year and provided Zoom and/or phone connections to several of those who were unable to attend the meetings.
The following permit applications were approved by the Managers during the year: 16 tiling permits, 1 renewal, 1 Wetland Restoration, 1 Culvert Replacement and 1 Clean ditch.
The budget for 2023 is asset as follows:
In January 2022 Steve Penkava gave the following Crop damage rate for the year: It is the policy of Freeborn County to set a rate of pay for crop damages that may occur due to repair, improvement, or construction projects. This is done at the beginning of the year for the entire year. The yield is determined by using a three-year average yield for Freeborn County from data received from the USDA. (National Agricultural Statistics Services).
The sale price is determined by using an average sale price for “new crop” corn and beans from three local elevators on December 29th 2021.
It is the policy of Freeborn County to set a rate of pay for crop damage that may occur due to repair, improvement, or construction projects. This is done at the beginning of the year for the entire year. In anticipation of an upcoming project the County may occasionally ask a landowner not to plant the area to be worked on. This gives the Contractor more time to complete projects and may also result in better quotes. The rate of pay for not planted acres is $440. Per acre. This rate is based off from an average annual rental rate of approximately $250.
The first year the unplanted acres would have no yield
The second-year yield reduction would be approximately 50% because the soil has been disturbed.
The third-year yield reduction would be approximately 25% because the soil has been disturbed
The fourth year the yield should be back to normal.
These two documents have been signed by 3 Drainage Ditch Viewers and Pat Martinson Freeborn County AuditorTreasure. Pete made a motion to accept these reports seconded by Jeff and carried
Steve Penkava distributed copies of the Engineer’s Preliminary Report for the Repair & Improvement of County Ditch No J27, Freeborn County, Mn. After discussion Jon made a motion to set the preliminary hearing for February 15th, 2022 at the Government Center in Hollandale Minnesota at 5:30 P.M. seconded by Pete and carried. Pat Martinson will send out notices and publications.
Also in January Jon inquired about an update on the Hickory Lake Project which they had offered some funding to support the project. Justin reached out to Lindsey Zeitler NRCS-CD in Albert Lea and received this reply: “We were hoping to get the construction of the project completed this fall but the DNR permit took a really long time and didn’t actually get approved until late November to early December. Right now we are hoping the project can get constructed in 2022 hoping the water levels remain manageable. The landowner is also still working on finding a contractor that is going to be able to do this kind of work”
Justin Hanson attended the January 2022 meeting to share with the Managers, just for their information, some funding, grants, cost share and incentives the SWCD has been involved with.
In February 2022 the Managers met this month at 4 O’clock for the annual planning workshop which includes discussion of the goals set for the past year as well as the goals to accomplish the year of 2022.
At 5:30 P.M. chairperson Michelle called to order the Preliminary Hearing for Freeborn County J27.
Attending the Hearing in person were Michelle O’Connor, Dave Vanderploeg, Peter VanErkel, Steve Lawler, Steve Penkava, Att’y Kurt Deter, Att’y Dan Donnelly, Tom Butler, Mike DeBeau, Dan Parks Elvin Steensma, Mike O’Connor, Todd Hinrichs and Chris Christianson. Attending via Zoom were Jon Erichson, Pat Martinson, Kelly Hendrickson, and Brad Edwin.
Att’y Deter passed out Agenda’s to everyone in attendance and explained the purpose of the hearing.
Pat Martinson Freeborn County Auditor-Treasure verified the dates of publication for the notice requirements.
At this time Steve Penkava passed out written copies of the Engineer’s Preliminary report for the Repair and Improvement of a separable part to County Dich No J27 Freeborn County, Minnesota and presented a power point on the large screen to include the history, investigation and findings, proposed solution with probably cost, outlet analysis, environmental criteria, right of way required and recommendations.
After Steve’s presentation Att’y Deter read the DNR Advisory Report to the group.
At this point the hearing was open to the public for comment and questions. After lengthy discussion and no further questions, the hearing was closed to the public and open for the Managers discussion.
After Managers discussion ceased Pete made the following motion to approve the preliminary Engineer’s report stating: 1. The proposed drainage project outlined in the Petition and recommended by the Engineer is feasible.
2. There is necessity for the proposed drainage project. 3. The proposed drainage project will be a public benefit and promote the public heath, after considering the environmental land use and multi-purpose water management criteria in Section 103E.015, Subd. 1. And 4. The outlet is adequate. The motion was seconded by Dave. Pete, aye, Dave, aye, Jon, aye (via zoom) Michelle aye. The motion carried.
Dave made a motion to appoint the following Drainage Ditch Viewers for this project: Mark Behrends, Robert M. Hansen and Kendall Langseth, seconded by Pete and carried.
The Turtle Creek Watershed Advisory Board met at 4 P.M. at the Government Center in Hollandale Minnesota. Present were Al Ravenhorst, Mike DenHerder, Brad Edwards, Dean Reed, Arlen Schamber, and Steve Lawler. Recording Secretary was Nancy Finley.
Steve Lawler Mower SWCD chaired the meeting with a Welcome and Thank you to the group. Steve passed out the agenda with the Purpose and need for the Advisory Committee which included: Advisory committee Purpose
Bring unique knowledge and skills used to support the Board
Brings recommendations, key information to the Board
Promotes good public relations
Provides fresh perspectives on issues
Complements the Board on programmatic issues
Can evaluate performance of a program
Serve as an advocate for the District
Provide unbiased feedback to the Board
Assist staff on important activities.
Advisory Committee limits: Does not make decisions or issue directives governing the District
Watershed Updates:
Annual Report
One Watershed One Plan
Turtle Creek Video
Ditch projects repair and improvements Steve Penkava
Easement projects chad Billet
Water Sampling James Fett
Geneva lake Jeanine Vorland, MnDNR
Steve distributed a copy of the summary of the One Watershed One Plan and explained the purpose, the local partners including area maps, and the priority of the project for funding from the State of Minnesota. Watershed Districts must have a plan to receive funding.
Nancy gave each member a copy of the annual report and explained how and why it is prepared, that it is a requirement from the State and who she sends copies to.
Steve showed the short movie of the first project from the One Watershed One Plan project.
Steve then discussed ditch projects, repairs and improvements directed by Steve Penkava –TCWD Engineer and Geneva Lake by Jeanine Vorland, MnDNR.
Steve also invited the members to the April 2022 meeting that Chad Billet will attend to discuss Easement Projects and James Fett will discuss Water Sampling.
Open discussion followed with a decision that the committee would like to meet again in middle summer perhaps July or August. Steve will coordinate this meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5 PM.
In March 2022 the Managers discussed the severe gullying occurring in the head slope immediately upgradient from CD #8 along 310th Street in Section 21 of Bath Twsp. Erosion from this gulley is contributing to significant maintenance costs in CD #8 as reported by the Freeborn County Ditch Authority. The Managers will meet at this site at 4 P.M. prior to the April 19th 2022 meeting to view this area for further discussion.
At the April 2022 meeting James Fett attended the meeting to discuss Water Monitoring from 2021. He provided a summary including maps of the sites, 2021 Turtle Creek Hydrograph with dates of collection, and physical characteristics baseflow averages to include Rice Lake Branch, Upper Turtle, Deer Creek Branch and Lower Turtle and concluded with the 2021 Observations. James and Steve answered several questions and concerns of the Managers which James stated he would be doing further research on these areas and report back to the Managers.
Chad Billat attended the meeting to update the Board on active conservation projects in the District, projects completed and potentially new projects.
Jon reported he attended the Mower County Commissioners meeting to update them on Turtle Creek and states it was a good meeting. Dave also reported on meeting with the Freeborn County Commissioners and also stated a good meeting which they complemented the Board on their Budget management.
In May 2022 Correspondence from Steve Lawler included an email from Jeanine Vorland Area Wildlife Manager who was unable to attend the meeting. Jeanine’s email as follows: “Water levels have been normal for spring (averaging on the high side) reflecting the abundant rains we had in April. MN DNR Fisheries did some netting on Geneva earlier this spring and found very healthy perch numbers. Some were used to re-stock other area lakes. Geneva was stocked with northern pike fry, Migratory waterfowl made good use of the lake during spring migration. The cold, wet, and windy April is not ideal for shallow lakes as it can result in higher turbidity due to constantly stirring up bottom sediment with the high winds and wave action. Submersed aquatic plants can be a little slower due to the persistent cold conditions. Nevertheless, water clarity as observed from the dam has been good so far. I am guardedly optimistic we will continue to see good submersed plant growth this season. “
Steve also handed out a copy of the 2022 May Snapshots from Mn Board of Water and soil resources which recognized a Freeborn County Wetland restoration on a MN CREP easement in Hollandale which included with the article, construction pictures.
James Fett attended the meeting to discuss the historical summary of the water monitoring data from 2011-2021 a 10-year Water Quality Monitoring Summary.
Brad Edwards contacted Steve Lawler regarding purchasing a large screen TV for the Government Center to be used by anyone renting the facility to be utilized for power point presentations and requested Turtle Creek cost share. After discussion the Managers suggested it be added as a rent increase split between everyone that rents the Government Center for meetings.
Steve Lawler notified the Board he will be cutting back on his time at Mower SWCD in July 2022. James Fett has accepted the District Administrator position for the Turtle Creek Watershed Board. Welcome James and thank you Steve for all you have done for the District.
In June 2022 Mike DenHerder attended the meeting with an estimate from Freeborn Construction, Inc. for Geneva Township repairs along South side of Turtle Creek Road figuring 6 locations using broke up concrete @ approx. 3’ wide X 10’ high averages approx. 370 yards using dirt that will be dug out to rebuild upper part of slope. Township only pays for material used. Mr. Haugen’s estimate to furnish and place approx. 370 yards @ $30.28 per yard = $11,203.60. This would include seed and blanket. After discussion Dave made a motion for Turtle Creek Watershed to do a 50/50 cost share not to exceed the total estimate of $11,203.60 from the Maintenance budget, seconded by Pete and carried.
Also in June 2022 the Hickory Lake project was discussed and the Managers requested an update. The following is an email response from Lindsey Zeitler NRCS-CD Albert Lea, Mn.
“Construction has not begun yet on Hickory Lake. If the board doesn’t know, Duane Johnson passed away in January of this year. Since then I have been working with his 3 sons. They were able to acquire a bid from Bishop Excavating in Blooming Prairie and it was quite a bit over anticipated costs. The bid came in at $39,275.00. The engineers cost estimate was $21,757.53. Since then we have ran an amendment through the Freeborn SWCD board to get more funds put towards this project and to also change the contract holder to one of Duane’s sons. Based off of the new cost the Freeborn SWCD will now be chipping in $19,637.50. If the Turtle Creek was still willing to chip in their portion of landowner match up to $5,000 then the 3 sons will still be covering $14,637.50 out of pocket.
The reasoning for increased costs is due to COVID, inflation, labor costs, and the complexity of the project. It will be very hard to find a contractor that will do a project like this. Some other contractors have flat out said no to it. Also, borrow is going to brought in from off-site which will add costs too.
Let me know if there are any questions. When the weather and conditions are fit construction should begin.”
Thanks, Lindsey Zeitler.
In July 2022 New canoe-kayak access unveiled on Turtle Creek. The following article was copied from a news release: Jul. 20 Outdoor enthusiasts have one more access to Austin's waterways.
Officials on Tuesday afternoon unveiled a new access to the Turtle Creek for kayakers and canoers, located just off of 12th Street SW, behind Sacred Heart Care Center. The project, which began two years ago, is the result of a multi-agency partnership to develop a walk-in access to the Turtle, that will allow people to connect downstream with the Cedar River or paddle upstream to enjoy the wooded hillsides on the city's west side.
"We are constantly looking at ways to enhance the local waterways and connect the public to them, and this is a great, collaborative project toward those goals," said Tim Ruzek, Cedar River Watershed District's water plan and outreach coordinator.
Work and financing for the project came from various areas. The Turtle Creek Watershed District funded $2,750 for the access with the Austin Area Foundation awarding a $2,000 grant to the Cedar River Watershed District.
The City of Austin designed the access and delivered rock materials, while the Department of Natural Resources built the access on July 13.
"This opens up some options," Ruzek said during a press conference at the new access. "You don't have to just go down the Cedar River."
From the city's perspective, this is a way to highlight some hidden gems within the community.
"Austin isn't known for water recreation," said Mayor Steve King. "Now we are."
The access is on a floodplain in Austin, which included residential property acquired by the City of Austin through its flood mitigation program. In total a home and two garages were removed from the 1.5 acre piece, which sits next to another half-acre of wooded property owned by the city.
For many this is another effort to further get people out and using Austin's waterways, which many believe is underutilized by a public who may not realize just how secluded a paddle down the rivers can be.
You don't feel like you're in Mower County," said Jon Erichson, Turtle Creek Watershed District board member and avid user of the waterways. "You feel like you're somewhere else."
Erichson also said that establishing this access point could attract people from further north of Austin that can put in near Moscow or even Geneva.
"There were people looking for an outlet," Erichson said. "Now people in Western Freeborn and northern Mower can come this direction."
The access point is a slope of rock and gravel to the Turtle, and is expected to be easily maintained, even in the event of a flood event.
Future work surrounding the project will come in the form of signage that will direct peo ple to the access from the busy thoroughfare of 12th Street SW.
"Anytime we can add more accessibility to our waterways should be celebrated, and the Austin Area Foundation is proud to have helped add this access for the community," said AAF' Board of Directors Chair Taggert Medgaarden.
A similar project five years ago opened up a rock-surfaced access behind Marcusen Park on the Cedar River Water Trail through Lafayette Park.
Also, at the July 2022 meeting Steve Penkava presented the 2022 brush control proposal from B & W Control Specialists. This year they are treating a total of 35.5 miles of ditch primarily in the Northeast portion of the watershed. The not to exceed cost if $45,000 or $1267 per mile and the work will be billed on a time and material basis up to the not to exceed amount. After Steve’s report Jeff made a motion to authorize Steve to monitor and approve the brush control as in the past seconded by Jon and carried.
Jeanine Vorland attended the meeting and gave the following report: Geneva Report: A lake survey was completed by the MN DNR Shallow Lakes Program last week. Lake levels are near normal with stop logs set at the full-service level. There was some flow over the dam. The lake’s habitat and water quality have deteriorated some from last year. The average Secchi depth was only about 9 inches due to suspended algae. The good news is that submersed plants are wide spread and diverse with good stands of wild celery (a particularly valuable food and cover plant). However, emergent vegetation has continued to decline with no regeneration from the drawdown in 2019 & 2020. The survey crew did not note any carp, but black bullheads were common. We think the poorer lake conditions are the result of poor growing conditions for aquatic plants early in the season (lots of wind, cold weather and rain), overall loss of emergent vegetation such as rushes and cattails and an imbalance in the fish community with high numbers of fish such as bullheads at the bottom of the food chain and few top predators (i.e., northern pike). All these factors can contribute to increased nutrient levels in the water column and favor algae growth over rooted plants. I recommend we lower the lake in winter to try to induce a winterkill of the less desirable fishes and consider further lowering of the lake levels to regenerate rushes and cattails in the summer of 2023.
At the August 2022 meeting the Proposed Budget hearing was held. After discussion ceased Pete offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption of the budget of $114,000.00. Whereas, the Managers of the aforesaid district have had a hearing on its proposed budget for the year 2023, after publication hereof and having heard all persons interested therein, now therefore be it resolved that the budget herein before proposed and set forth in the published notice thereof, be and here by is adopted for the year 2023. The motion was seconded by Dave and carried
Also at the August meeting James reports Mower SWCD summer Interns kayaked from 12th Ave NW all the way to the outlet into the Cedar River. They found a lot more issues that expected, roughly 61 fallen trees and 18 acres with low hanging trees that could impede passage. He also had them collect GPS points at every location and create a web map with Google Earth. The map also shows photos. James encouraged anyone to contact him if they would like the link.
Lindsey Zeitler Freeborn SWCD reported to James regarding the status of the Hickory Lake outlet structure repair. She states they had to line up additional funding due to bids being too high. The funds are lined up and construction is slated to begin sometime soon when flows are low, hopefully within the next month. Bishop Excavating is the selected Contractor for the project.
The following is an estimate of cost breakdown from Lindsey: “The SWCD cost share fund we are using for the project only provides up to 50% cost share. Out of the total bid of $39,275.00 the SWCD is cost sharing $19,637.50. In addition to that Turtle Creek Watershed voted on matching the landowner match up to $5000.00. Leaving the landowners with $14,637.00 out of pocket.”
Freeborn SWCD sees this as a way of preventing potentially millions of dollars of damage downstream that would be caused if the structure were to fail during a high flow event.
Cody Fox requested the Managers review and resign the Sub-Agreement between Mower Soil and Water Conservation District and Turtle Creek District, the purpose of this Agreement is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the parties regarding the delivery and implementation of the Cedar-Wapsipinicon Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan using WBIF administered by the State of Minnesota BWSR. Jon made a motion for the Managers to sign this agreement seconded by Pete and carried.
Jeanine Vorland send the following email update on Geneva Lake “Really not much to update. I had hoped the water chemistry data from our survey would be available, but I checked this morning and no report back yet. Here are a few sentences for the meeting notes.
Geneva Report: Lake levels are near normal with stop logs set at the full-service level. There has been continuous flow over the dam this summer. The lake has been more turbid (green) this growing season due to suspended algae. Submersed plants are common and diverse with good stands of wild celery (a particularly valuable food and
cover plant). Stands of cattails have continued to die-back. I recommend lowering the lake in winter and through summer 2023 to control less desirable fishes and to regenerate bulrushes and cattails.
In September James states the MAWD annual Convention will be held December 1-3, 2022 at Arrowood Conference Center. Registration materials will be released in October. Pete made a motion to authorize 2 Delegates to attend and one Alternate for anyone available to attend, seconded by Dave and carried.
In October Pete signed the Certificate forms for the Repair levy that was approved in the amount of $150,000. 00. Nancy forwarded copies to Mower and Freeborn County Auditors
At the November meeting Steve Penkava distributed copies of the Repair and Improvement on Cty Ditch 31 in Freeborn County for review from the Managers for a future preliminary hearing.
In December 2022 the afternoon started with a small reception and thank you with best wishes for the retirement of Attorney Kurt Deter with refreshments. Followed with the regular Board meeting starting at 5 PM. Dave Copeland BWSR Board Conservationist attended the meeting to discuss BWSR’s recently funded Clean Water Fund applications. After discussion Jon suggested this discussion be added to the annual workshop topics.
Cody Fox from Mower SWCD attended the meeting to discuss the new climate resiliency grant that is open for small communities. The CRWD was awarded a grant and is in the middle of working on that grant. In short terms, it’s an opportunity to look at our landscape and look at what resiliency we have in place and are there any opportunities that we maybe should look for in the future. Developing a plan or revamping an older plan (Barr’s from many years ago), may help us realize opportunities that we may have in front of us right now but maybe don’t even realize. Several questions were raised when the Managers requested more time to research their questions and would continue the discussion with the work plan in 2023.
Following discussion with Steve Penkava and Pat Martinson Pete made a motion to set the hearing date for the CD#31 Improvement hearing on Tuesday February 21st, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. at the Government Center in Hollandale Minnesota, motion seconded by Jon and carried. Pat will take send out the notices and do the publications.
Pete made a motion to authorize Tim Ruzek of CRWD to use the remaining $1962.50 originally encumbered dollars to go toward a sign and landscaping along the highway of the Canoe access seconded by Dave and carried.
Peterson Company LTD submitted a bid for an audit for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2022. The year-end audit fee will be $4,350.00. Jon made a motion to accept this bid seconded by Pete and carried.
Pete made a motion to hold the annual work shop on Tuesday January 17th, 2023 at 4 P.M. prior to the regular Board meeting to review the 2023 goals and revisit the progress of the 2022 goals that were set. Seconded by Jeff and carried.
Other main topics discussed at the meetings during the year included brush control, tree removal, grass strip maintenance, Geneva Lake, tiling issues and permit applications. Cattle grazing on the ditch banks as well as questions and/or concerns for project solutions and/or suggestions from area landowners for the Managers.
Jon Erichson spent countless hours as Treasure for setting up a Money Market account to follow the guidelines of FDIC insurance requirements. THANK YOU, JON.,
This concludes the 2022 annual report for the Turtle Creek Watershed District.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy K. Finley, Recording Secretary.