The Brandt Angus Coulee (BAC) impoundment is a multi-purpose off channel flood control project combining both flood control and environmental enhancement features through Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Construction began in 2012. Building this project directly relates to the the District’s Watershed Management Plan in reducing downstream flooding, improving water quality and working towards improving the natural resources of the District. It became operational in 2013 and it occupies approximately 1.5 sections of land (960 acres) 3.5 miles southeast of Angus in Polk County. The drainage area above the project is about 14.4 square miles. The impoundment can hold 5,213 acre-feet of water (3,968 acre feet of gated and 1,245 of ungated to the emergency spillway) from a calculated 7.26″ of runoff.
BAC project partners are the Red River Watershed management Board and the MN Department of Natural Resources through the Flood Damage Reduction Program and the MSTRWD. In 2010, the Project received Step II approval from the RRWMB and entered into a Flood Damage Reduction grant agreement with the MN DNR. With the natural resource enhancements that have been incorporated into the project, a 65% State, 35% local cost share was obtained.
In addition, the District was able to utilize the Natural Resource Conservation Service Wetland Restoration Program (WRP) to offset land acquisition costs. Over 575 acres were enrolled into a conservation easement at a savings of over $450,000 to the project. Restoration of wetlands relates to the District’s Watershed Management Plan by increasing quality wetlands.
The primary purpose of the BAC project is to reduce spring flood damages downstream, reduce the frequency of summer storm flooding of agricultural land and to restore/maintain/enhance the natural stream habitat. Secondary features are to provide for environment enhancement features such as wet prairies, water quality benefits, reducing peak discharges, flood stages, and flood duration in the Angus/Oslo subwatershed and the legal drainage systems downstream to the Red River of the North.
Reports
2013 Brandt Angus Impoundment Vegetation Monitoring Report
2014 Brandt Angus Impoundment Vegetation Monitoring Report
2015 Brandt Angus Impoundment Vegetation Monitoring Report
2016 Brandt Angus Impoundment Vegetation Monitoring Report
