Purpose
This study will address the degradation of culturally significant habitat faced by the Red Lake Nation on their tribal lands along the Red Lake River and the Zah Gheeng Marsh in Minnesota. Additionally, this study will assess and make recommendations related to fish passage through a low-head dam and habitat restoration opportunities within the Zah Gheeng Marsh along the Red Lake River.
Location
The Red Lake River is the only outlet to Lower Red Lake, which is completely within the boundaries of the Red Lake Nation in Red Lake, Minnesota. The Zah Gheeng Marsh is adjacent to the Red Lake River, immediately downstream of Lower Red Lake. The Red Lake River is a tributary to the Red River of the North.
Description
The Red Lake Dam was constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1931; the operations and maintenance responsibilities were transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under the Flood Control Act of 1944. Under the authorization agreements, USACE immediately modified the outlet channel through the Zah Gheeng Marsh to increase the discharge capacity and improve lake level regulation, leading to drainage of the marsh. Inlet/outlet structures were added in 1967 to flood the marsh, but this created a shallow lake with degrading habitat rather than reestablishing the riverine floodplain. A downstream low-head dam was added to inundate additional marsh downstream of the Zah Gheeng Marsh. Notably, the historic Zah Gheeng Marsh provided much more productive habitat for waterfowl and fur-bearing mammals, especially muskrats. The dam also blocked fish passage between the lake and river spawning habitat. The purpose of this feasibility study is to examine the hydrologic restoration of marsh lands to restore furbearer populations and to assess the potential for fish passage at the low-head dam.
Status
A feasibility cost-share agreement between USACE and the Red Lake Nation was signed on June 16, 2021. Federal funding for the study has been provided, and the study began in July 2021. The study includes gathering information; formulating alternatives; analyzing costs, benefits, and environmental impacts; and recommending a tentative plan on how to address hydrologic restoration and fish passage. A draft feasibility study report with integrated environmental assessment will be prepared and coordinated with the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council in late 2025, followed by a public review. The report will be finalized in early 2026.
Authority
The Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) is authorized by Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-541). The TPP provides authority for USACE to work with tribal nations to study and determine the feasibility of carrying out projects that will substantially benefit tribal nations.
Funding
Feasibility study $700,000
The federal share is estimated to be $675,375, and the nonfederal sponsor’s share is projected to be $23,625. TPP feasibility studies qualify for a waiver ($511,000), and the tribal share is based on an ability-to-pay formula.