CAP 14 Streambank Protection: Section 14, Wastewater Treatment Lagoons, Village of Colfax, Dunn County, Wisconsin

U.S. Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District
Published Sept. 27, 2021
Updated: Sept. 25, 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the project is to stabilize the riverbank from erosion that may affect the integrity of the wastewater treatment lagoon berm.

Location

The village of Colfax is located in Dunn County, Wisconsin, approximately 75 miles east of St. Paul, Minnesota. The erosion site is located on the left descending bank of the Red Cedar River, less than one mile downstream from Colfax, at the village of Colfax Wastewater Treatment Lagoons.

Description

Erosion has cut the bank to within 50 feet of the wastewater treatment lagoon berm, threatening the stability of the berm. Severe safety and environmental impacts would occur if erosion continues at this location and wastewater from the lagoons was to enter the Red Cedar River. Additionally, above normal levels of sediment in the Red Cedar River have had negative recreational and environmental impacts on Tainter Lake, located 7 miles downstream from the village of Colfax. This was largely caused by bank erosion similar to that at the project site. This project would aid in alleviating those impacts. The streambank protection area would run approximately 1,300 linear feet alongside the three wastewater treatment ponds.

Status

On Aug. 25, 2014, the village of Colfax submitted a formal request for assistance with a Section 14 study.

The feasibility study was completed in September 2016. The project partnership agreement was signed in July 2019. The village of Colfax is funding the non-federal share through a Community Development Block Grant provided by the Housing and Urban Development Agency as well as a Clean Water Loan from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A design-build contract award was awarded  in the spring of 2022.

The final project design consisted of riprap bank stabilization to correct the erosion issue and protect from future erosion. Construction was completed in the fall of 2023. The contractor placed approximately 6,000 tons of rock riprap and associated excavation to create a stable slope. St. Paul District is currently working through closing out the construction contract and will be transitioning the project onto the village for future operation and miantiance

Authority

Section 14 of the Flood Control Act of 1946, as amended, Emergency Streambank Erosion or Shoreline Protection, provided authorization for the project.

Funding

The design and construction phase of the project is cost shared at 65% federal and 35% non-federal. The estimated total federal cost for the project is $2,082,500 and the estimated total sponsor cost is $1,121,400 for a total project cost of $3,203,900.

Federal Funds Allocated to Date                   $2,178,800