Minnesota DNR awards Little Rock Creek contract
October 3, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce that they have recently awarded a contract with an engineering and design firm to work in the Little Rock Creek Area. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., with its teaming partners (LimnoTech and CBS Squared, Inc.), will work with area irrigators and the DNR to complete a comprehensive evaluation of various management options that were called out in the Little Rock Creek Area Plan [link], provide cost estimates and develop preliminary designs. This new information will help to resolve the water use conflict in the Zone of Irrigation Influence [link] around Little Rock Creek.
What will be evaluated?
The management options that Kimley-Horn Team will evaluate include:
- Conserving water
- Enhancing groundwater recharge
- Considering new irrigation wells and water conveyance systems
- Augmenting streamflow
- Modifying appropriations to reduce pumping impacts
The information gathered and analyzed during this project will be critical to inform the next steps in the planning process and help all parties involved make informed decisions and weigh the options and tradeoffs.
Some of the key deliverables from this contract include:
- Groundwater resources assessment report
- Detailed evaluation report for each management strategy
- Cost-benefit analysis for each management strategy
- Recommendations for the most effective and sustainable solution(s)
What’s the process?
The contractor will meet with the DNR project team and irrigation water users inside the Zone of Irrigation Influence to gather information and understand key aspects of each irrigation system and individual water supply requirements.
Collaboration will be a key to success. The DNR and Kimley-Horn are committed to open and transparent communication about the project including regular progress updates leading to an evaluation of options.
Learn more
The DNR and Kimley-Horn Team are planning to host a kickoff meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 pm. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Old Rice Village Hall, 20 E. Main St., Rice, Minnesota.
Meeting attendees will learn more about the project, the contractor, the timeline, how to become involved and what to expect.
Contact Information
Questions about this project can be addressed to Jason Moeckel at 651-259-5240 or email at jason.moeckel@state.mn.us.
For more information on the Little Rock Creek area groundwater project, visit the project webpage at mndnr.gov/littlerock. For more information on the DNR’s groundwater management programs, visit mndnr.gov/gwmp/index.html.
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