Rice Lake
Hardwood Creek | Lakes
The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) has been attempting to resolve a conflict over drainage and wetlands within the Judicial Ditch #2 (a.k.a. Hardwood Creek) watershed almost since our inception in 1972. While the history of this conflict and the many issues that were addressed are too numerous to go into in this post, a large component of the compromise struck among the various stakeholders, including DNR, was the completion of a maintenance project in March 2005 to eliminate the high points in the ditch system. We did this after extensive study from our engineering consultants and a variety of drainage experts. We also installed monitoring wells throughout the drainage system that have been in place and monitored since 2003 to ensure that any unplanned wetland impacts that resulted from this maintenance could be tracked and accounted for.
At the upper end of this drainage system sits Paul Hugo Farms WMA that encompasses Rice Lake. In consultation with DNR, limits were established as to how close the excavation work should get to the run out point for Rice Lake. The RCWD stayed well downstream of this point to avoid any impacts to Rice Lake. However, the water levels for Rice Lake have decreased dramatically over the past two months, due, at least in part it appears, to the actions of the RCWD. While this may serve to stimulate native plant growth and be a boon to a variety of bird species in the short-term, it would undoubtedly be detrimental to the ecology of Rice Lake if the status quo is maintained indefinitely.
The RCWD is quite concerned with this situation and it was brought to the attention of our Board at their meeting on Wednesday, June 22nd. They unanimously agree with RCWD staff that we should meet with DNR staff, and other interested parties, as soon as possible to both assess the short-term and long-term impacts of the current lake levels and craft a solution as soon as possible. There was no intent on the part of the RCWD to usurp the process for establishing the water level management plan for Rice Lake and we totally respect the authority of the DNR to determine the best remedy for this issue. To that end, we have previously discussed with DNR the placement of a control structure at the outlet to Rice Lake that would allow for enhanced management of water levels within the WMA, in much the same way that other shallow lakes have been managed with the assistance of Ducks Unlimited and others throughout the state. The RCWD developed plans for such a structure 2.5 years ago that established the maximum run-out elevation at 920.4 and we intend to resurrect these plans so the implementation can occur soon, if DNR so desires. The water level of the Rice Lake wetland complex would be and is the purview of the DNR and they can choose to manage it as they wish. We are certainly open to other solutions and types of structures to control the water levels in Rice Lake and want to begin those discussions as soon as possible.
Please be assured that the RCWD takes this situation very seriously and we are eager to work with DNR and others to rectify the problem. If any of you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.