PL - 566 Projects in Minnesota

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566 (leaving  MN NRCS)) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical and financial assistance to local organizations for planning and carrying out watershed projects. Consequently, because The Act requires that this authority be limited to watershed acres of less than 250,000 acres in size, it is often referred to as the "small watershed program." The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program is designed to bridge the gap between the on-farm conservation practices installed by individual landowners and the larger programs for development and flood protection of major river valleys.

Public Law 83-566 presents a unique and flexible approach to area-wide water resources planning and management, and emphasizes planning through interdisciplinary teams which include the sponsors, other agencies, and environmental groups in all stages of plan development. The Act defines its purposes to be watershed protection, flood prevention, and agricultural and non-agricultural water management, where conservation land treatment, structural and non-structural measures are used to address these purposes.

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17 PL-566 WATERSHED PROJECTS WITH INSTALLATION COMPLETED
1. BEAR VALLEY (Map #10)
Goodhue and Wabasha Counties
Sponsors: Goodhue SWCD, Wabasha SWCD, and Bear Valley WD.
Size: 29,326 acres
Authorized for Planning: April 21, 1959
Approved for Operations: May 11, 1961
Constructed Started: March 7, 1963
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $237,278
· Others $86,530
Total $323,808
Completion Date: May 15, 1969
Measures Installed: Ten grade stabilization structures
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.1:1

2. BELLE CREEK (Map #37)
Goodhue County
Sponsors:
Goodhue SWCD, Goodhue County Board of Commissioners, and Belle Creek WD
Size: 52,790 acres
Authorized for Planning: August 20, 1965
Approved for Operations: March 16, 1972
Constructed Started: September 20, 1976
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $3,772,300
· Other $900,000
Total $4,672,300
Completion Date: October 11, 1985
Measures Installed: Five floodwater retarding structures and two
grade-stabilization structures.
Project Life: 100 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.5:1

3. BURNHAM CREEK (Map #41)
Polk County
Sponsors: Polk County Board of Commissioners, West Polk SWCD, and East Polk SWCD
Size: 104,200 acres
Authorized for Planning: May 22, 1975
Approved for Operations: March 16, 1983
Constructed Started: September 1987
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $3,231,300
· Other $679,300
Total $3,910,600
Completion Date: July 2, 1999
Measures Installed: One multiple purpose flood prevention and wildlife structure,
11 miles of channel work, and 1 grade stabilization structure.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

4. COOKS VALLEY (Map #25)
Wabasha County
Sponsors: Wabasha SWCD, Wabasha County Board of Commissioners, and Cooks Valley WD
Size: 15,940 acres
Authorized for Planning: February 25, 1963
Approved for Operations: August 17, 1964
Constructed Started: April 13, 1966
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $66,220
· Other $135,400
Total $201,620
Completion Date: February 25, 1974
Measures Installed: Three grade stabilization structures.
Project Life: 100 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

5. CRANE CREEK (Map #16)
Steele and Waseca Counties
Sponsors: Waseca SWCD, Waseca County Board of Commissioners, Steele SWCD,
and Steele County Board of Commissioners
Size: 66,713 acres
Authorized for Planning: March 9, 1959
Approved for Operations: April 24, 1964
Constructed Started: September 14, 1967
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $915,996
· Other $1,569,183
Total $2,485,179
Completion Date: June 18, 1973
Measures Installed: 25.1 miles of channel modification and 5 structures
for wildlife.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.15:1 without local secondary benefits and 1.5:1 with
local secondary benefits.


6. CROOKED CREEK (Map #20)
Houston County
Sponsors: Root River SWCD, Houston County Board of Commissioners,
and Crooked Creek WD
Size: 44,560 acres
Authorized for Planning: April 14, 1961
Approved for Operations: October 31, 1963
Constructed Started: June 29, 1965
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $1,107,328
· Other $204,777
Total $1,312,105
Completion Date: June 18, 1976
Measures Installed: Four floodwater retarding structures, 4 grade stabilization
structures, streambank protection and trout stream improvement.
Project Life: Floodwater retarding structures-100 years, streambank control
measures-50 years, trout stream improvement-50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.4:1

7. JANESVILLE VILLAGE (Map #8)
Waseca, Blue Earth, and Le Sueur Counties
Sponsors: Waseca County Board of Commissioners, Blue Earth County Board
of Commissioners, Waseca SWCD, Blue Earth SWCD, Le Sueur SWCD, and Alton Town Board
Size: 69,400 acres
Authorized for Planning: November 19, 1962
Approved for Operations: September 8, 1967
Constructed Started: June 29, 1972
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $846,182
· Other $2,090,216
Total $2,936,398
Completion Date: June 18, 1976
Measures Installed: 8.2 miles of channel modification, 2 grade-stabilization
structures, and 3 structures for wildlife.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 2.3:1

8. JOE RIVER (Map # 22)
Kittson County
Sponsors: Kittson SWCD, Kittson County Board of Commissioners, and Joe River WD.
Size: 54,960 acres
Authorized for Planning: March 12, 1962
Approved for Operations: October 31, 1963
Constructed Started: June 5, 1968
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $502,483
· Other $861,271
Total $1,363,754
Completion Date: June 27, 1973
Measures Installed: 26.5 miles of channel modification and 1 single-purpose
structure for wildlife.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 3.3:1


9. LAKES OKABENA & OCHEDA (Map #31)
Nobles County
Sponsors: Okabena-Ocheda WD, and Nobles SWCD.
Size: 46,495
Authorized for Planning: November 18, 1962
Approved for Operations: July 12, 1965
Constructed Started: January 23, 1967
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $716,468
· Other $788,563
Total $1,505,031
Completion Date: August 23, 1985
Measures Installed: One sediment basin, 1 multipurpose floodwater retarding and
recreation structure and basic facilities, 5.4 miles of channel modifications, and
1 mile of water supply channel and associated wildlife facilities.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 3.1:1

10. MIDDLE FORK OF TWO RIVERS (Map #7)
Kittson County
Sponsors: Kittson SWCD, Kittson County Board of Commissioners, Village of Hallock,
and Two Rivers WD.
Size: 57,532 acres
Authorized for Planning: February 11, 1957
Approved for Operations: May 11, 1960
Constructed Started: June 30, 1965
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $167,118
· Other $233,476
Total $400,594
Completion Date: June 27, 1969
Measures Installed: 10.6 miles of channel modifications.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 9.3:1

11. NORMAN-POLK (Map #40)
Norman and Polk Counties
Sponsors: West Polk SWCD, East Polk SWCD, Polk County Board of Commissioners,
and Wild Rice WD.
Size: 72,500 acres
Authorized for Planning: September 19, 1966
Approved for Operations: November 4, 1975
Constructed Started: September 28, 1977
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $3,835,900
· Other $1,715,600
Total $5,551,500
Completion Date: November 1982
Measures Installed: 28 miles of channel work and 6 grade stabilization structures
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.4:1

12. NORTH BRANCH OF TWO RIVERS (Map #13)
Kittson and Roseau Counties
Sponsors: Kittson SWCD, Roseau SWCD, Kittson County Board of Commissioners, Roseau
County Board of Commissioners, Village of Lancaster, and Two Rivers WD.
Size: 234,223 acres
Authorized for Planning: November 14, 1958
Approved for Operations: November 5, 1962
Constructed Started: June 30, 1965
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $198,532
· Other $430,716
Total $629,248
Completion Date: June 26, 1970
Measures Installed: 11.5 miles of channel modifications, 2 grade stabilization
structures, and 1 structure for wildlife.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.4:1

13. RUSH PINE CREEK (Map #1)
Fillmore, Houston, and Winona Counties.
Sponsors: Winona SWCD and Fillmore SWCD.
Size: 88,050 acres
Authorized for Planning: June 1, 1955
Approved for Operations: July 11, 1956
Constructed Started: June 27, 1958
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $47,659
· Other $135,641
Total $183,300
Completion Date: June 30, 1961
Measures Installed: Stabilization of 3 critical sediment producing areas.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.1:1

14. SOUTH ZUMBRO (Map #35)
Dodge and Olmsted Counties
Sponsors: City of Rochester, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners,
and Olmsted SWCD.
Size: 200,540 acres
Authorized for Planning: January 14, 1964
Approved for Operations: September 30, 1982
Constructed Started: August 16, 1985
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $19,358,990
· Other $12,691,400
Total $32,050,390
Completion Date: May 2000
Measures Installed: Six flood control dams, 1 multipurpose dam, 1500 ft
streambank protection, and 1 recreational facility (Chester Woods Park).
Project Life: 100 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.5:1

15. TAMARAC RIVER (Map #27)
Marshall, Kittson, and Roseau Counties
Sponsors: Marshall SWCD, and City of Stephen.
Size: 234,700 acres
Authorized for Planning: April 15, 1963
Approved for Operations: September 10, 1965
Constructed Started: September 29, 1971
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $2,506,590
· Other $2,550,680
Total $5,057,270
Completion Date: September 22, 1978
Measures Installed: 40.8 miles of channel modification, 1 grade stabilization
structure, and 2 multipurpose structures with minimum recreation facilities
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 2.4:1

16. UPPER DEER CREEK-LAKE HENDRICKS MINNESOTA PORTION (Map #32)
Lincoln County
Sponsors: Lincoln SWCD
Size: 9,480 acres (MN)
Authorized for Planning: April 23, 1962
Approved for Operations: July 19, 1966
Constructed Started: August 11, 1970
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $257,849
· Other $284,243
Total $542,092
Completion Date: June 18, 1976
Measures Installed: 1.0 miles of channel modification and 1 structure
for wildlife.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.4:1

17. ZIPPEL (Map #15)
Lake of the Woods County
Sponsors: Lake of the Woods SWCD, and Lake of the Woods County Board
of Commissioners.
Size: 51,964 acres
Authorized for Planning: January 17, 1961
Approved for Operations: December 5, 1962
Constructed Started: June 23, 1964
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $258,301
· Other $284,243
Total $542,544
Completion Date: June 14, 1968
Measures Installed: 16.2 miles of channel modification.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 2.3:1


8 PL-566 WATERSHED PROJECTS WITH INSTALLATION UNDERWAY
1. BEAR CREEK (Map #84)
Houston and Fillmore Counties, MN and Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties, IA
Sponsors: Houston County Board of Commissioners, Root River SWCD, Winneshiek
County SWCD, and Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors
Size: 34,990 acres (24,660 acres in IA and 10,330 acres in MN)
Approved by State Committee: August 10, 1989
Status: Preauthorization Report was developed April 1995.
Authorized for Planning: 1995
Approved for Operations: September 16, 1998
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1996):
· PL-566 Funds $4,943,600
· Other $765,900
Total $5,709,500
Land Treatment: 7,750 acres cropland, 9,480 acres pastureland, and 1,240 acres
forest land will be treated for severe erosion.
Watershed Problems: Principal
problems include flooding, water quality degradation, and sedimentation.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection, flood protection, water quality, and
fish and wildlife management.
Structural Measures Planned: 52 dams plus land treatment measures will be
constructed during the 15-year project installation period.
Effectiveness of Project: Soil erosion reduced by 116,000 tons annually (52%),
sediment yield to trout stream reduced by 48% and flood damages reduced by 45%
on 970 acres.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.1:1

2. LOWER WHITEWATER RIVER (Map #83)
Wabasha and Winona Counties
Sponsors: Whitewater Joint Powers Board, Wabasha SWCD, and Winona SWCD.
Size: 45,600 acres
Authorized for Planning: June 15, 1993
Watershed Agreement Signed:. February 16, 1998
Approved for Operations: February 16, 1998
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1997):
· PL-566 Funds $549,000
· Other $253,500
Total $802,500
Land Treatment: A total of 2,000 acres within the Lower Whitewater River Watershed
will benefit from project installation.
Watershed Problems: Principal problems involve sedimentation damages and
degraded water quality.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection and water quality of both surface and
ground water.
Structural Measures Planned: None
Easement Status: No easements required.
Effectiveness of Project: Damage reduction benefits on 15,000 acres include
soil productivity-$34,600, on crop growth-$45,600, and loss nutrients-$21,100.
Increased net income from conservation tillage, terraces, and nutrient
management-$182,700 and reduced recreational impairment-$297,400.
Total benefits amount to $581,400.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

3. MIDDLE FORK WHITEWATER RIVER (Map #47)
Olmsted and Winona Counties
Sponsors: Whitewater Joint Powers Board, Wabasha SWCD, and Winona SWCD.
Size: 36,800 acres
Authorized for Planning: June 15, 1993
Watershed Agreement Signed: February 16, 1998
Approved for Operations: February 16, 1998
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1997):
· PL-566 Funds $741,000
· Other $370,200
Total $1,111,200
Land Treatment: A total of 4,000 acres within the Middle Whitewater River Watershed
will benefit from project installation.
Watershed Problems: Principal problems involve sedimentation damages and
degraded water quality.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection and water quality of both surface and
ground water.
Structural Measures Planned: None
Easement Status: No easements required.
Effectiveness of Project: Damage reduction benefits on 15,000 acres include soil
productivity-$34,600, on crop growth-$45,600, and loss nutrients-$21,100. Increased
net income from conservation tillage, terraces, and nutrient management-$182,700 and
reduced recreational impairment-$297,400. Total benefits amount to $581,400.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

4. NORTH FORK WHITEWATER RIVER (MAP #85)
Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona Counties
Sponsors: Whitewater Joint Powers Board, Wabasha SWCD, and Winona SWCD..
Size: 64,600 acres
Authorized for Planning: June 15, 1993
Watershed Agreement Signed: February 16, 1998
Approved for Operations: February 16, 1998
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1997):
· PL-566 Funds $1,065,200
· Other $561,500
Total $1,626,700
Land Treatment: A total of 5,000 acres with the North Fork Whitewater River
Watershed will benefit from project installation.
Watershed Problems: Principal problems involve sedimentation damages and degraded
water quality.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection and water quality of both surface and
ground water.
Structural Measures Planned: None
Easement Status: No easements required.
Effectiveness of Project: Damage reduction benefits on 15,000 acres include soil
productivity-$34,600, on crop growth-$45,600, and loss nutrients-$21,100. Increased
net income from conservation tillage, terraces, and nutrient management-$182,700 and
reduced recreational impairment-$297,400. Total benefits amount to $581,400.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

5. SOUTH FORK WHITEWATER RIVER (Map #86)
Olmsted and Winona Counties
Sponsors: Whitewater Joint Powers Board, Wabasha SWCD, and Winona SWCD.
Size: 58,400 acres
Authorized for Planning: June 15, 1993
Watershed Agreement Signed: February 16, 1998.
Approved for Operations: February 16, 1998
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1997):
· PL-566 Funds $954,500
· Other $495,700
Total $1,450,200
Land Treatment: A total of 4,000 acres within the South Fork Whitewater
River Watershed will benefit from project installation.
Watershed Problems: Principal problems involve sedimentation damages and
degraded water quality.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection and water quality of both surface
and ground water.
Structural Measures Planned: None.
Easement Status: No easements required.
Effectiveness of Project: Damage reduction benefits on 15,000 acres include soil
productivity-$34,600, on crop growth-$45,600, and loss nutrients-$21,100.
Increased net income from conservation tillage, terraces, and nutrient
management-$182,700 and reduced recreational impairment-$297,400. Total
benefits amount to $581,400.
Project Life: 50 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.3:1

6. KANARANZI-LITTLE ROCK (Map #79)
Nobles and Rock Counties
Sponsors: Kanaranzi-Little Rock Joint Powers Board, Nobles SWCD, and Rock SWCD.
Size: 198,400 acres
Authorized for Planning: March 1984
Watershed Agreement Signed: November 19, 1987
Approved for Operations: June 1988
Construction Start Approved: June 13, 1988
Estimated Total Cost of Project (1986):
· PL-566 Funds $4,950,000
· Other $2,850,000
Total $7,800,000
Land Treatment: A total of 114,600 acres of cropland are in need of protection.
Watershed Problems: The major problem is the reduced net farm income due to
excessive soil erosion on 114,600 acres of cropland.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection
Measures Planned: Land treatment practices on 51,800 acres of cropland.
Land Treatment Measures Installed: 12,323 acres of conservation tillage, 207
water and sediment basins, 92,960 feet of field borders, 126 acres (85,180 feet)
of grassed waterways, 35.8 miles of terraces, 1,083 acres of contouring, 514
acres of hayland planting and 46.3 miles of underground outlet.
A total of 92 contracts on 17,633 acres have been signed. In addition 55
conservation plans have been funded under KLR local cost-sharing ($127,000)
and 4 conservation plans have been funded under State cost-sharing ($32,980).
These three programs resulted in resource management systems being applied
to 21,000 acres for a total of 168,000 tons of soil saved per year. Conservation
planning without cost-sharing has also been used to apply conservation
cropping systems, conservation tillage, and contouring to many farms in the
watershed. A total of 2,495 acres of CRP have been placed in 216 contracts
in the watershed. This includes 1000 acres of filter strips and 450 acres
of tree planting (CP-22. 4D, & 16A). Approximately 150,000 tons of soil
are saved per year.
Easement Status: No easements required.
Project Life: 40 years (15 year installation and 25 year practice life)
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 2.7:1

7. CANBY CREEK (Map #46)
Yellow Medicine and Lincoln Counties
Sponsors: Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank WD, Lincoln SWCD, and Yellow Medicine SWCD
Size: 20,150 acres
Authorized for Planning: July 15, 1968
Approved for Operations: April 20, 1976
Constructed Started: November 5, 1980
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $5,069,600
· Other $1,698,100
Total $6,767,700
Measures Installed: Two floodwater retarding dams, one multi-purpose dam with
recreation facilities, and one mile of channel stabilization.
Project Life: 100 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.2:1

8. SNAKE RIVER (Map #76)
Marshall, Pennington, and Polk Counties
Sponsors: City of Warren, and Middle River-Snake River WD.
Size: 166,400 acres
Authorized for Planning: January 30, 1997
Approved for Operations: October 17, 2000
Constructed Started: Not Started
Estimated Total Cost of Project
· PL-566 Funds $8,702,000
· Other $3,581,000
Total $12,283,700
Project Purpose: Flood Prevention
Structural Measures Planned: One off-channel floodwater retarding structure
and a floodway system.
Project Life: 100 years
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.2:1

3 LOW PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS AWAITING PLANNING ACTIVITY
1. CEDAR VALLEY (Map #45)
Winona County
Sponsors: Winona County Board of Commissioners, Burns-Homer-Pleasant SWCD,
and Homer Township Board.
Size: 11,481 acres
Approved by State Board: April 9, 1985

2. THOMPSON VALLEY (Map #48)
Sponsors: Root River SWCD, Houston County Board of Commissioners, and
Village of Hoka.
Size: 24,500 acres
Approved by State Board: August 31, 1964

3. TURTLE CREEK (Map #54)
Sponsors: Freeborn SWCD, Freeborn County Board of Commissioners, Mower SWCD,
Mower County Board of Commissioners.
Size: 96,000 acres
Approved by State Board: July 29, 1965
Preliminary Investigation Report Prepared: September 13, 1972. Decisions to
proceed are needed from the sponsors before planning authorization can be requested.


1 PL-566 WATERSHED PROJECTS WITH INSTALLATION TERMINATED
1. COON CREEK (Map #4)
Sponsors: Anoka SWCD, Anoka County Board of Commissioners, Coon Creek Watershed.
Size: 55,276 acres
Authorized for Planning: February 11, 1957
Approved for Operations: February 20, 1959
Estimated Total Cost of Project:
· PL-566 Funds $572,837
· Other $1,061,601
Total $1,634,438
Land Treatment: Approximately 65% of the land shown in the work plan are
adequately treated watershed problems: Principal problems were flood damages
to agricultural lands.
Project Purposes: Watershed protection, flood prevention, agricultural
water management, and fish and wildlife management.
Structural Measures Planned: 27.1 miles of channel modification.
Structural Measures Installed: No structural measures were installed.
Easement Status: No easements were obtained.
Project Deauthorized: June 1996

12 PL-566 WATERSHED PROJECTS WITH PLANNING TERMINATED
1. DEERHORN BUFFALO (Map #28)
Clay, Wilkins, and Ottertail Counties

2. DRY WEATHER CREEK (Map #18)
Chippewa and Swift Counties

3. FLORIDA CREEK (Map #63)
Yellow Medicine and Lac qui Parle Counties

4. GARVIN BROOK (Map #21)
Winona County

5. LAZARUS CREEK (Map #81)
Yellow Medicine and Lac qui Parle Counties, MN and Deuel County, SD

6. MOUNDS CREEK (Map #50)
Brown and Cottonwood Counties

7. SNAKE RIVER WATERSHED (Map #76) Reapplied

8. SOUTH OF HAWLEY-SOUTH BUFFALO (Map #19)
Clay, Wilkin, Ottertail, and Becker Counties.

9. TEN MILE CREEK (Map #2)
Yellow Medicine County

10. TYLER (Map #51)
Lincoln, Lyon and Pipestone Counties

11. UPPER NORTH BRANCH ROOT RIVER (Map #82)
Dodge, Mower and Olmsted Counties

12. UPPER WATONWAN RIVER (Map #38)
Watonwan, Cottonwood and Brown Counties

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