Current Projects
Unnamed Creek (761) Subwatershed Stream Erosion Study (2025)
Le Sueur County was awarded FY'25 Clean Water Grant Funds to create an erosion study for a priority stream and streamshed within the Lower Minnesota River East Watershed Comprehensive Plan. Stream erosion studies are critical in identifying and targeting where these existing erosion and sediment issues exist which in return will provide guidance on where to implement projects and practices to reduce erosion and sediment loading. Le Sueur County has hired Barr Engineer as the consultant to complete the erosion study.
This project officially started in March 2025, and the Subwatershed Assessments is anticipated to be completed in 2026. Once the study is completed, it will will be shared publicly. Barr Engineering was able to complete most of the site visits in the Fall of 2025 for this study. There will be a handful of additional site visits that will need to be completed in the Spring of 2026. During the Winter of 2026 Barr Engineering will be processing the data they collected and starting to develop the report.
Questions? Please contact the Water Resources Manager, Holly Bushman at holly.bushman@lesueurcounty.gov or call our main office number at 507-357-8538.
Did you know?
In and near channel erosion (bluffs, ravines, and stream channel) is a major contributor of sediment for the Lower Minnesota River Watershed. In fact, 83% of sediment loading within this major watershed is due to in and near channel erosion. A majority of the in and near channel erosion that is occurring is due to altered hydrology and increased high intensity precipitation events.
The picture on the left is an example of in/near channel erosion occurring within the Unnamed Creek 761 Subwatershed. This picture is located within the Ney Nature Center.
City of Le Sueur Minnesota Valley Canning Company Well Sealing Project (2025)
Le Sueur County was awarded FY'25 Clean Water Funds to assist with sealing a large-scale industrial well that was drilled decades ago to support the Green Giant canning facility, which has since been demolished. There are two "sister wells" that were drilled around the same time to support the canning facility. Both wells have been abandoned are are located on private property. Le Sueur County has been working with the City of Le Sueur and landowner(s) to locate and seal two large-scale industrial wells drilled . Both wells are priorities in the city of Le Sueur’s Wellhead Protection Plan because their proximity to the Minnesota River and size in diameter increases the risk of contamination.
Both wells have been located. One well (figure on left) is located closer to the Minnesota River and has active flow which will require a relief well to be constructed prior to sealing the well. Without the relief well there would be a huge risk and liability in that it will create a free-flowing well which would not be able to be contained. The second well (figure on right) was located in early October 2025 with assistance from the City of Le Center and grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The well was found under an electrical transformer that serves a large portion of the city. To seal the well, the municipal transformer and corresponding electric lines will require relocation. Since there is no active flow in this well the costs to complete this project drop dramatically and can be covered with the existing Clean Water Grant funds that were awarded.
Le Sueur County and the City of Le Sueur are currently working on collecting bids from contractors and working with the private landowner. Once these steps are completed, we can move forward to the next step with sealing the well.