Corps of Engineers sets sights on Marsh Lake project completion

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is gearing up to complete the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project, near Ortonville, Minnesota, this year.

The Corps’ contractor RTS Shearing, LLC, of Jamestown, North Dakota, has temporarily paused construction efforts due to high water levels within the Minnesota River and Marsh Lake area and the current road restrictions in place. The contractor plans to resume work at the project as soon as the water levels have receded to allow for continued construction in a safe and effective manner. Once work begins, the final steps in completing the project include completion of the fish passage, the concrete pedestrian bridge abutments, and other punch-list items required to complete the project

The $13 million project involves restoring the environment by improving the waterfowl and aquatic habitat. Work completed thus far includes constructing a drawdown structure and a fish passage at the Marsh Lake Dam, and rerouting the Pomme de Terre River to its historic channel. 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.

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