A major flood mitigation project in northern Minnesota continues to move forward, offering long-term benefits for farmers and downstream communities. Roseau River Watershed District’s Jason Braaten says the District is partnering with the Minnesota DNR on a large retention project designed to better manage water flow. “It’s about 6,000 acres. We’ll end up with 22,000 acres of storage out there. And right now we’re in phase number 5.” The project aims to restore water control lost when a lake was drained decades ago. Braaten said that it will make a significant difference for agriculture. “Now we’re able to hold this water back and allow all the farmland to get rid of their water first. It could help the farmers get into their fields seven to ten days earlier downstream from this.” If funding is secured, the $18 million project could be completed by 2028 or 2029.
