With the pipeline to carry away sediment nearly finished over the winter, Lake Redwood, seen here last autumn, will be dredged as soon as the weather warms up.

The effort to dredge Lake Redwood back to its original depth of up to 20 feet has been continuing all winter. The pipeline that will carry sediment to a containment site is nearly finished, booster pumps are almost ready to be installed, and the dredge is set to be delivered when the weather warms up in the spring.

According to RCRCA Executive Director Kerry Netzke, most of the pipeline has been fused together and placed within the right-of-way of Laser Avenue, State Highway 19, and County Road 17. The remaining pipe will be placed across the Ramsey Creek bridge on County Road 17, and from the booster pad west to County Road 17.

The main contracting firm, JF Brennan, of La Crosse, Wis. is asking snowmobilers to pay special attention to the pipeline. The MN Valley Snow Riders have been asked to spread the awareness of where the pipeline lies.

Still scheduled to be done this spring: placing the outlet control structure at the dewatering pond, installing the booster pumps, completing the pipeline, and launching the hydraulic dredge. The dredge, named the Michael B, is the second largest dredge in JF Brennan’s fleet.

When the Michael B dredge arrives, Lake Redwood will be closed to the public for safety. The dredging effort will operate seven days per week, 24 hours a day to remove the permitted 650,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment in the lake.
The project will restore the depth of Lake Redwood up to 20 feet, improve water quality, restore recreational opportunities, increase water depth and clarity for aquatic habitat, and improve the water supply for the City’s hydroelectric dam. The contractors are confident they can successfully complete the project within one year.

Coordination of the project is being shared by the RCRCA, handling the fiscal and contract management, and the City of Redwood Falls, providing oversight of project management. The project is being financed using a combination of State of Minnesota bonds and funds from the City of Redwood Falls.