Dead Colt Creek Upper Watershed Improvements

Ransom County hired Interstate Engineering for the creek’s upper watershed improvements, which consisted of the construction of dikes, diversions, and wetlands upstream of the reservoir. The project’s primary purpose was to enhance sediment filtration from the creek flow before it entered the reservoir. The project aimed to improve water quality and reduce sediment buildup by creating structures affecting the reservoir’s capacity and ecosystem health.

Fish passage and historical property issues were some of the challenges this project faced. Ensuring that fish could move freely through the area required careful planning and design to avoid disrupting aquatic habitats. Additionally, the presence of historically significant properties necessitated a sensitive approach to construction to preserve these sites while achieving the project’s environmental goals.

The Ransom County Soil Conservation District and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department participated in the design review. The Ransom County Water Resource District and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department sponsored and funded the project. The contracted construction costs were just under $100,000, supplemented by in-kind work, highlighting the collaborative effort and resource pooling necessary to complete the project.