Purpose
The purpose of the project is to provide hydraulic connectivity for aquatic organisms to pass from the Leech River upstream to Leech Lake.
Location
The Leech Lake Dam is located at the outlet of the reservoir on the Leech Lake River, 27 miles above the junction with the Mississippi River. The dam is at the northwest edge of the city of Federal Dam in Cass County, Minnesota. The Leech Lake Dam is located within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation, although the dam itself is on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) fee-owned land.
Description
Leech Lake is Minnesota’s third-largest lake. Species of interest include walleye, northern pike, muskie, bass, perch, crappie, bluegill and eelpout. The lake is frequented by sport fishermen and tourists who visit the area for fishing tournaments and festivals. In general, game fish populations are stable; however, increased fishing pressure has led to decreased individual fishing success. In some cases, this has led to the perception that the fishery is in decline.
The project sponsor, the Nature Conservancy, requested assistance from USACE to determine the feasibility of developing an ecosystem restoration project at the Leech Lake Dam. A fish passage provides hydraulic connectivity for aquatic organisms to pass from the Leech River upstream to Leech Lake. The USACE project team is also working closely with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Status
A Federal Interest Determination was completed and approved in March 2022.
The Feasibility Cost Share Agreement with the Nature Conservancy as the nonfederal sponsor was executed in September 2023 for the completion of the feasibility study. A project kickoff meeting was held in April 2024. The project team made a site visit and held a planning charrette in June 2024. The feasibility report is scheduled for completion in October 2026. The study will be cost-shared, 50% federal and 50% nonfederal.
Authority
This study is conducted under the authority of Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended. The Continuing Authorities Program Section 1135 authority provides for the review and modification of structures and operations of water resource projects constructed by USACE for the purpose of improving the quality of the environment when it is determined that such modifications are feasible, consistent with the authorized project purposes, and will improve the quality of the environment for the public interest.
Funding
The first $100,000 of the feasibility phase is provided by the federal government; the remaining costs are cost-shared, 50% by a local sponsor and 50% by the federal government. The expected total study cost of $750,000.
Federal funding provided to date:
Fiscal year 2022
Feasibility $200,000