Circle Lake

Surveying Circle Lake 

Circle Lake is approximately 168  Wildlife Management Area in Rice County, MN.  Worked with Scott-Le Sueur Waterfowlers to develop a project list with the MN DNR that was used to secure an outdoor heritage fund grant as redocumented by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.  We were then awarded a contract to collect topographic survey and soil exploration data then develop design plans and construction documents and overseeing construction to enhance two wetlands totaling 52 acres.   The wetlands on this site were restored back in the later 1970s and have since deteriorated, and washed out draining the wetland area.  The larger embankment has substantial settled and the primary outlet pipe raised up causing water to flow over the embankment.   Over time, this caused head cutting on the embankment and there was only about a foot of material left before the head cut made it all the way to the wetland, which would have caused a total failure and drained the entire 48 acre wetland.  Our solution included design of embankments and outlet structures that will safely pass extreme flood events while maintaining the integrity of the embankment.  The MN DNR requested water management capabilities.  To accommodate this request a sheet pile weir was designed with a stoplog bay and a catwalk to safely manipulate water levels that will allow DNR to maintain productive water habitat.  We are currently in the construction phase with the water-levels and drawdown and should be completed in the spring when water levels will be restored to normal conditions.