DNR announces plans to address Wood Lake water issues

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DNR announces plans to address Wood Lake water issues
(Released March 26, 2012)

Plans are underway to address flood water issues related to Wood Lake in Brown and Watonwan counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
In December 2011, the DNR held a public meeting with the Mulligan Township board to present the results of a hydrologic investigation of Wood Lake. Jim Solstad, surface water hydrologist for the DNR, presented data using historical information, new LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology and computer simulations to identify contributing factors to recent flooding in the area. He also talked about the historic berms adjacent to the lake. The public presented input and ideas on the situation as well.

In response to information that has been gathered, the DNR is recommending the following actions:
1) Introduce a draft of a new lake management plan that will allow temporary lowering of the lake level by one-half foot in the fall to create additional water storage and mitigate flooding.

The plan will be available for comment at a public meeting. In addition, lakeshore owners will be contacted to seek their approval to temporarily and periodically lower the water level. State law requires that 75 percent of the lakeshore owners must approve the plan to move forward.

2) Create additional water storage throughout the watershed. This is the best long-term option, but requires cooperation from landowners in the entire watershed. Federal, state and locally-based conservation programs could assist landowners in implementing this part of the recommendation.

3) Raise the berms. Some of the berms were constructed in 1936 and need to be repaired. The DNR is field surveying the berms to determine who owns the land on which the berms are constructed. They are also studying the condition and elevation of the berms. A plan to reconstruct the berms will be developed.

Wood Lake is an 880-acre shallow lake located within the Watonwan River watershed. It offers good fishing for yellow perch, northern pike and bullhead and is a popular location for waterfowl hunting. A water level control dam was built at the eastern end of the lake in 1936 and rebuilt in 1995-96. During major flood events, water from the North Fork Cottonwood River crosses over into Wood Lake resulting in the lake overflowing out of its banks into the Cottonwood River causing severe erosion.