BROOKINGS A plan to improve an existing drainage structure on the Big Sioux River in Medary Township was given the go-ahead on Tuesday morning on a 5-0 vote.
Brookings County commissioners, acting in their capacity as the Brookings County Drainage Board, approved the effort following a presentation by County Development Director Bob Hill. He said the estimated cost is in the ballpark of $225,000.
It would dry up most of the land to the west and allow that land to go back to farmland, Hill noted.
Another incentive for commissioners? The project, once completed next year, is expected to save the county millions of dollars in infrastructure costs think bridges and culverts here, folks that might have arose if the water now filling the diversion channel was left unchecked. Among those worries was scour damage, a factor already at play on a bridge on 216th Street, also known as the Sinai Road.
As for the diversion channel itself, Hill said it originated decades ago when a farmer in the area sought additional water flow from the Big Sioux River to help keep his land watered. Hill said the farmer would plug the diversion which has slowly grown in size and water capacity over the years since the 1950s with hay bales, but that practice ceased after he died.
All of sudden, now youve got the last study we had, probably four years ago, showed you actually had more water at one time running down the bypass than you did the main Big Sioux River, Hill explained. A lot of land was losing production down south, so landowners came to the county and requested that we see if we (could) plug that dike, per se.
The project site is just east of 468th Avenue between 215th and 216th streets, on the west side of the river. In the present day, Hill said its now at the point where its felt a constructed dirt berm perhaps including clay elements and a riprap cover could contain the water within the Big Sioux Rivers actual boundary.
Is there any concerns that redirecting that water back into its natural channel is going to cause I mean, is that bank in there going to be able to handle that flow? Commissioner Doug Post asked Does it need to be cleaned out?
Hill said his office checked with the Banner Associates engineer handling the proposal regarding a pair of nearby residences, and that there didnt appear to be any danger to those residences.
Commissioner Larry Jensen also pointed out that the design of the structure which is meant to be of primary benefit during non-flooding times includes a culvert, which will allow a continued minimal water flow to nearby landowners in order to help their cattle herds.
In closing, Hill said he will reach out to the person who owns the land to get details finalized and put in writing before work commences next year.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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