Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District sets levy
Sep. 8—WORTHINGTON — The Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District's Board of Managers set a 2024 operating levy of $253,000 during its meeting Tuesday. Of the total, $250,000 is the administrative levy, and $3,000 is to cover insurance. Managers also certified the 2024 budget.
In other action, the board:
* Received an update from OOWD Administrator Dan Livdahl on the number of toxic algae blooms on Lake Okabena this summer. There were five positive tests for microcystin toxins on Lake Okabena, and two on Lake Ocheda.
Each positive test was recorded at times when floating blue-green algae was visible in the lake, Livdahl told managers. However, that wasn't the case in the one positive test at Lake Bella, where no floating algae was seen, he said.
Livdahl said he has five tests remaining, and will use them yet this year, though he said he thinks we are past the season for toxic algae blooms.
"I know people are acknowledging it and they're talking about it," said Manager Jay Milbrandt. "People were taking notice of the signs. I think it's a good service to the community."
* Approved an erosion control permit for Henning Construction to demolish all of the structures on the Walter Vogt farm, located on land between West Lake Avenue and Crailsheim Road. The land is currently held by the Walter Vogt Charitable Trust, and Nobles County is currently in the process of inspecting the site for the presence of hazardous waste.
* Approved a permit for Dan Russell to complete tiling in a buffer strip on property he owns east of Lake Bella.
* Received an update from Livdahl on the tree removal and filter bench maintenance ordered on the former Prairie View Golf Links property northwest of Worthington. The watershed district has an easement on the property for its water holding ponds that filter out sediment and phosphorus before the water reaches Lake Okabena.
Livdahl reported that Henning Construction was on site Aug. 22 and mowed around the sand filter, also mowing down the trees that have cropped up near the filter. Since the work was not completed, managers asked Livdahl to contact Henning Construction to finish the tree removal.
* Came to a consensus to take no management action on district-owned property in Section 25, Worthington Township, along U.S. 59/Minnesota 60. Referred to as the St. John property, the land was seeded to Canada wild rye with some prairie forbs mixed in. The managers will reevaluate the ground cover in the spring.
* Learned that an easement draft for the watershed's planned project on District 518 property along Crailsheim Road has not yet been completed. American Engineering, a geo-tech firm hired by Houston Engineering to complete the technical work, has not responded to requests for the information.
* Decided to halt discussion with a firm regarding the potential to use biochar on Lake Okabena as a method of improving water quality in the lake. The district received one proposal, but it was determined that there isn't enough science to prove the process will work.
