2025 Annual Report
Turtle Creek (left) and the Cedar River
Erin Mecklenburg
Dredging 1908
Turtle in eastern Freeborn County
2025 Board of Managers (Left to right)
James Fett
Nancy Finley
Administrator
Recording Secretary
Manager
Treasurer
Dave Vanderploeg Secretary
Vice President
TURTLE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT 1408 21st Ave NW, Ste. #2
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 434-2603, ext. 5
www.turtlecreekwd.org
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:
John Kolb—Rinke-Noonan 1015 W. St. Germain St. Suite 300 PO Box 1497 St. Cloud, Mn. 56302 320-251-6700 email: johnkolb@rinkenoonan.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: shellanno@icloud.com
Freeborn 11-13-27
Jeff Ravenhorst
82329 290th St. Hollandale, Mn 56045 507-383-6428 email: jeffRaven@hotmail.com
Freeborn 11-13-26
Jon Erichson
911 18th St. SW Austin, Mn. 55912 507-438-2339 email: jerichson@harter.net
Mower 11-13-28
Peter H. VanErkel
503 Hague Ave South Hollandale, Mn. 56045 507-383-3079 email: phvanerk@gmail.com
Freeborn 11-13-26
Tony Dahl
24668 810th Ave Albert Lea, Mn. 56007 507-327-8948 email: tonydahl2@hotmail.com
Freeborn 11-13-28
The following Officers for 2026 were elected: Chairperson Vice Chairman Treasurer Secretary Manager
Michelle O’Connor Jeff Ravehorst Jon Erichson Peter Van Erkel Tony Dahl
Turtle Creek Watershed District Advisory Committee elected March 2021: Allan Ravenhorst Brad Edwards Dean Reed Mike DenHerder Arlen Schamber
Hollandale, Mn. 56045 Hollandale, Mn 56045 Hollandale, Mn. 56045 Hollandale, Mn 56045 Austin Mn 55912
507-383-6893 507-383-9445 507-402-0403 507-383-1078 507-993-3985
The Turtle Creek Watershed Board of Managers held 12 regular meetings during the 2025 year and provided Zoom access to those meetings. Also holding one workshop for goals for the year and accomplishments from the previous year. The following were permit applications approved by the Managers during the year. 24 tiling applications, 3 Wetland applications, 4 culvert replacement application, 2 ditch cleaning, and 2 replace mains. In January 2025 The annual planning workshop and citizens advisory committee was called to order at 3:30 PM. James reviewed the District Advisory committee purpose and need and reminded the committee they are not there to make decisions or issue directives governing the district but, to communicate with the Managers. Nancy distributed copies of the proposed 2024 annual report to be approved at the February meeting. James distributed copies of the 2024 TCWD work plan for discussion, questions and suggested changes. Each of the 13 goals were discussed and suggestions for changes documented by James who will draft a revised work plan for the Managers approval at the February meeting. The planning workshop was adjourned at 5 PM with a break for treats and beverages before the regular meeting. Also, at the January 2025 meeting Steve Penkava distributed copies of the crop damage report set by Freeborn County. In February 2025 The Turtle Creek watershed Board of Managers met for a workshop on updating the Rules and Policy handbook at the Government Center in Hollandale, Minnesota at 1 P.M. The meeting was recorded and the recordings were provided to Michelle and Peter who were absent for the meeting. As the policy handbook was adopted February 20th 2007 and the Turtle Creek Watershed District Rules were adopted May 18th 2004 it was determined by the Board of managers it was time to update both of these documents. Att’y Kolb led the discussion. Starting with the purpose for which the watershed was formed and specific resources, management, and challenges. He wanted the board to focus on why we have each rule. Going through the current set of rules and policy there have been several changes since they were adopted. After much discussion it was suggested, the managers read the rules adopted by Cedar River Watershed and Shell Rock Watershed Districts for guidelines. Att’y Kolb also suggested that the board review our priorities in the One Watershed One Plan Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. James sent out the highlights and main priorities in the plan along with copies of both watershed district’s rules for review. Att’y Kolb advised the next steps would be for board members and staff to review the rules and policy and to take note of suggested changes. This was the first step of additional meetings to come. Also in February 2025 The Turtle Creek Watershed Board of Managers met at the Nature Center in Austin Minnesota for the annual joint meeting with Cedar River watershed, Mower County Soil Service and Turtle Creek Watershed. Shelley Gorham with DNR Wildlife discussed the status of Lake Geneva. The stop logs have been pulled all winter to help initiate drawdown and there is still flow going through the outlet structure. Without heavy snow odds of a drawdown induced winterkill are very low. The board asked Gorham if DNR could modify the lake management plan to allow for additional winter drawdown and if DNR could re-establish regular meetings of the Geneva Lake Advisory Committee to discuss fish, water quality, and vegetation monitoring data and management strategy. Gorham discussed these topics and said that Jeanine Vorland is open to both requests and has been working and will continue to be working on them. Also, in February Pete made a motion to increase the beaver bounty to $75.00 per tail effective February 2025 seconded by Jeff and carried. In March 2025 James discussed a proposal from Houston Engineering regarding a stacked hydrograph analysis utilizing the computerized XPSWMM and H+H model at several different locations throughout the TCWD to help understand how water is moving through the watershed during the 10- and 100-year
rainfall events. This will help the board to understand the value of flood reduction projects within the district. The board requested that James work with Houston Engineering to make some modifications to the proposal prior to board approval. At the August 2025 meeting James distributed copies of the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement for the Managers to review while waiting for the permit. James notified the Managers the audio equipment needs to be replaced and suggested the cost be split between Mower SWCD, Cedar River and Turtle Creek. Dave made a motion for Turtle Creek to share in the cost seconded by Pete and carried. Also in August Jon Erichson discussed the budget figures for 2026 which total $117,400.00. Hearing no discussion Pete made a motion to accept the budget seconded by Dave and carried. James reports he had a conversation with the new DNR Area Parks and Trails Supervisor Krista Jensen regarding the potential access location of the SE side of Moscow bridge. Krista and her crew are very overloaded at this time but, will be in contact with James. In August the Board held the final hearing on the Redetermination of Benefits of Freeborn County ditch #30. Att’y John Kolb explained the purpose of the hearing and procedural requirements, Sandy Tomschin-Freeborn County Auditor verified the publication date of the hearing then Viewer Mark Behrends gave a presentation of the viewing process and the determination of benefits and damages for lands within the drainage areas of the ditch. The hearing was opened to the public for questions, hearing none it was then opened for Board discussion. Also hearing none Att’y Kolb continued with the questions for the Board to determine whether evidence supported adoption of the recommended benefits and damages. After discussion ceased Pete made a motion to adopt the findings and order accepting and adopting the redetermined benefits and damages as presented, recommended, and reviewed by staff, seconded by Dave and carried. Following this hearing the second hearing was held on the Determination of Benefits of Freeborn County ditch #81. Att’y Kolb following the same process as the previous hearing with the information pertaining to Ditch #81. Following no further discussion on this ditch Pete made a motion to adopt the findings and order accepting and adopting the redetermined benefits and damages as presented, recommended, and reviewed by staff, seconded by Jeff and carried. At the September 2025 meeting Steve distributed copies of the TCWD 2026 repair fund levy showing the fund balance, second half taxes, current payables, planned fall repairs etc. after discussion Pete made a motion to levy $170,000.00 for the year 2026 seconded by Jeff and carried. Nancy will send copies to both County Auditors. Pete made a motion to approve the Joint Powers agreement with the State of Minnesota seconded by Jeff and carried. At the October 2025 meeting James discussed the new Paid family medical leave and states Cody is looking into this more. James is not sure it will affect the Board members. James states the state legislature passed changes regarding public meeting law. Board members are now legally able to attend and vote remotely and collect per diem. Steve provided a map and report to Freeborn SWCD showing all buffers that were inspected this year. There were no violations found. Freeborn SWCD will enter them in the state Buffcat reporting system. The JPA for wetland restoration on the Wo Wacintanka WMA has been signed by all parties and executed. Steve is working on putting a bid packet together and Jeanine is working on getting the additional signatures the board ask for last month on the permit. Steve distributed copies of the CD J27 for the managers to review for future discussion. Mark Behrends reports the work is completed for when the hearing dates are set.
As the November 2025 meeting was Dave Vanderploeg’s last meeting as a Board manager due to moving out of the district, Tony Dahl was appointed as Dave’s replacement Thank you Dave for 12 years of service on the Board. Nancy brought treats as a farewell to Dave for his many years of service. Pete made a motion for Jeff Ravenhorst for Vice Chair with the other officers to remain the same, seconded by Tony and carried. Officers for 2026 will be Michelle O’Connor Chairperson, Jeff Ravenhorst Vice chair, Peter Van Erkel Secretary, Jon Erichson Treasure and Tony Dahl manager. James explained the public meeting law updates, board members attending meetings remotely, qualifications for a quorum and reimbursement etc. James will be meeting with Bret Zimmerman of Houston Engineering to discuss the potential of applying for an MPCA planning grant for stormwater, wastewater and community resilience. James reported on the Riparian Aid Funding stating Freeborn County will be sending a check in December of each year and should be getting roughly $23,000. Jeanine attended the meeting and reports Geneva Lake flows were briefly slowed to facilitate some downstream work. The project is finished and stop logs will be reset to facilitate winter drawdown. Area Wildlife staff are aware of the trespass issues with the dam site and will attempt to resolve the problem. Wo Wacintanka wildlife area access road culvert replacement project is underway and should be completed soon. The Department of Natural Resources appreciates the Watershed District Board and Staff for helping to facilitate additional wetland work. At the December 2025 meeting Steve reports they are ready to set a date for the CD J 27 final hearing. Pete made a motion to set the hearing date for Tuesday Jan. 20th 2026 at 5:15 PM at the Government Center in Hollandale, Minnesota, motion seconded by Jeff and carried. Jeanine attended the meeting and reports : Geneva Lake stop logs are set for winter drawdown. The lake levels are gradually decreasing. Ducks Unlimited sponsored a tour of several project sites in south-central Minnesota and included Geneva Lake. Vorland gave a history of the lake and management noting the support of Turtle Creek Watershed District in fostering water and land conservation efforts in the watershed in addition to lake management efforts. Wo Wacintanka Wildlife Management Area access culvert project is complete. Wetland restoration project plans are being revised due to cost. James reports the rules have not been updated for several years and ask the Board their opinion on proceeding giving them several options. After discussion the managers requested James send out copies of the Rules as well as the copies of CRWD an SRRWD rules for comparison for the managers to review on their own time and report back what they feel would be proposed changes. James reports it is time again for the annual planning and citizens advisory committee meeting. Pete made a motion to hold this workshop before the February 17th 2026 meeting to start at 3:30 at the Government Center in Hollandale, Minnesota seconded by Jeff and carried. Nancy will invite the Citizens Advisory committee to attend this meeting. James will contact Bret Zimmerman from Houston Engineering to attend a Zoom meeting with a brief presentation about the stacked hydrograph analysis TCWD paid for. Steve gave a report on Wo Wacintanka with the update and 5 bids were received for phase one. Pete made a motion to reject all bids seconded by Jeff and carried. Steve presented the Turtle Creek Watershed Crop Damage Rate for 2026 (Standing crop) It is the policy of the Turtle Creek Watershed Board 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.
The yield is determined by using a three-year average yield for corn and beans in Freeborn County with data received from the USDA (National Agricultural Statistics Service) The sale price was determined by using an average sale price for “new cope” corn and beans from three regional elevators on December 1, 2025. Corn damage rate 190.8 bushel @$4.15 =$792 per acre Bean damage rate 54.5 bushel @ $10.31 =562 per acre (Not Planted) It is the policy of the Turtle Creek Watershed Board to set a rate of pay for crop damage that may occur due to report, improvement, or construction projects. This is done at the beginning of the year for the entire year. In anticipation of an upcoming project, the Watershed Board may 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 areas is $525 per acre. This rate is based on an average annual rental rate of approximately $300. 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 sold be back to normal These policies have been signed by Mark Behrends Drainage ditch Viewer, Wesley Dahl Drainage ditch Viewer ad Michelle O’Connor TCWD on December 16th 2025. Pete made a motion to accept these reports seconded by Jeff and carried. Jon states now that Dave has moved out of the district and no longer has the authority to sign checks he would request another board member be given that authorization. As Jeff was elected to serve as Vice Chairperson Pete made a motion to authorize Jon to arrange for Jeff to sign the required forms at the bank, seconded by Jon and carried. Other subjects discussed at meetings during the 2025 year included permit conflicts, landowner disputes, brush control, additional canoe access, Wo Wacintanka,and Climate Resiliency grant. Jeanine Vorland attended several meetings with updates on Geneva Lake and Wo Wacintanka. Jon Erichson spent several hours on banking issues including MBT CD set up and renewals for the Board. This concludes the Turtle Creek Watershed annual report for 2025. Respectfully Submitted, Nancy K. Finley, Recording Secretary