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8.1. SR 02-01-2021 The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. Updated: August 2020 Request for Action To Mayor and City Council Item Number 8.1 Agenda Section General Business Meeting Date February 1, 2021 Prepared by Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator Item Description LORE Project Update and Fish Restocking Request Reviewed by Brandon Wisner, Engineering Project Manager Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested 1. Discuss overall LORE project update. 2. Consider/Approve by motion, adding fish restocking cost to the LORE budget. Background/Discussion The Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project continues to move forward with significant dredging and hauling occurring soon with the presence of colder weather. Project Update The existing conditions lake survey was recently completed, and the results are very similar to the survey completed in 2019 by WSB, the project consultant. The data found the lake bottom elevations were almost always within 2” of the previous survey, although more elevations were found to be higher than lower. This data was used to compute an updated estimated quantity of material for excavation. WSB has estimated that an additional 5,000 cubic yards of material will need to be removed to meet desired water depths as approved for the project. The original estimation was 125,000 cubic yards. The plan specifications require a minimum depth of excavation. It is possible New Look Contracting, the project contractor, may over-excavate a few inches to ensure these depths are reached, which would further increase the quantity of material removed. Our best estimate anticipates 130,000 cubic yards at minimum of sediment removed. Due to the warm weather and schedule concerns, WSB is reluctant to recommend increased quantity of excavation to ensure completion of the project and stay within permitting requirements. The overall project budget continues to stay well under the projected amount, however additional costs and change orders may be necessary in the coming months to ensure the project is completed fully and within the timeframe restraints. At this time, staff estimates there will be an assessment to private lakeshore property owners, however the estimated amount should be significantly lower than that outlined in the May 2020 Feasibility Summary. Fish Restocking Request The Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID) Board and some lakeshore residents are concerned about the potential decline in fish populations due to the drawdown, winterkill, and possible overfishing this winter. The OLID evaluated options to resolve this concern with the help of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Manager. They considered adding an aerator to reduce overfishing, however due to cost and logistical concerns this option was not pursued. The DNR recommended restocking the lake with fish after the LORE N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\02-01-2021\Final\Laserfiche\x8.1 sr LORE Project Update and Fish Restocking.docx project is complete to account for any observed winterkill or overfishing. DNR staff has offered to partner with the city and provide guidance in determining fish populations based on a fish survey this spring, after the lake is returned to its normal water level. The OLID Board is requesting the cost of the fish restocking be allocated from the LORE budget. If the City Council feels strongly that some of the funding come from the OLID, the board would consider it, as they have $2,000 available. However, they feel reserving this amount for future fish restocking is more prudent. Based on their research and conversation with the DNR, the Board believes the fish restocking is the most cost-effective option providing the highest value to the lake and its users. They have contacted five local Fish Distributors for cost estimates. The actual cost for fish would be dependent on the fish survey and recommendations from the DNR. The estimated cost is $5,000 - $7,000 depending on the types of fish available and observed population decline. This amount can be added to the overall LORE project budget and better defined later. The assessment amount does not need to be determined until a later date, likely when a significant portion of the project is completed, including other potential costs from the contractor, consultant, or additional fees. Financial Impact LORE project budget – additional fish restocking fee Mission/Policy/Goal Meet changing needs - Agile Attachments ▪ WSB Lake Orono Improvement Project Memo January 22, 2021 ▪ OLID Board: Fish Restocking 2021 Cost Proposal \\wsbgvfiles01\projects\015125-000\Admin\Construction Admin\Additional Excavation01222021.docx 701 XENIA AVENUE S | SUITE 300 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | 55416 | 763.541.4800 | WSBENG.COM Memorandum To: Brandon Wisner, City of Elk River From: Pete Willenbring, P.E., WSB Date: January 22, 2021 Re: Lake Orono Improvement Project WSB Project No. 015125-000 As provided for in the Plans and Specifications for the LORE project, a lake bottom survey was undertaken immediately prior to the commencement of dredging for the purpose of developing updated and jointly agreed upon pre-excavation elevations with the contractor that will be used to compute amount of material removed once the excavation is completed. This survey was undertaken as a collaborative effort with New Look Contracting in 2021. The recent survey found that lake bottom elevations were almost always within plus or minus 2 inches of the previous 2019 survey, however more elevations were found to be higher than lower. Given the soft conditions on the lake bottom and opportunity for more sediment to accumulate since the last survey, these elevations are well within survey tolerances, and to some extent an increase and or deviation from the previous survey was expected. The updated survey information was used to compute an updated estimated quantity of material that would need to be removed to achieve the water depths proposed in the plan. These computations indicate that because the lake bottom has more areas that are slightly higher than previously surveyed, approximately 5,000 yards of additional material will need to be removed in the various areas to meet desired water depths. This compares to a previous estimate of 125,000 yards. In addition, because the contractor’s equipment cannot excavate to an exact depth, and our specifications require a minimum depth excavation, it is possible the contractor may over- excavate a few inches, which could further increase the quantity of material removed. Based on the above, our best estimate is to now anticipate between 130,000 and 150,000 yards of material will be removed from the lake as part of the project, and unless other direction is provided to the contractor, estimate the total construction cost to come in between $2,175,000 and $2,400,000. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 612.360.1288. 1 LAKE ORONO FISH RESTOCKING 2021 COST PROPOSAL OVERVIEW 1. Project Background and Description With the upcoming LORE project we inquired into different options that could be taken to improve the fish survival while the 6.5’ drawdown was in place. The fish are confined to the few “deeper” areas of the lake during this time and are especially vulnerable and easy to target in these conditions. The primary concern that we have heard from lake owners and community fisherman is the potential damaging effect the LORE project will have on the fish population. When the lake drawdown first occurred there was an estimated 500+ adult fish that were driven over the dam and rescued from the lower pools to be released into the Mississippi River by concerned lake owners. Given these numbers we conservatively estimate at least 5,000 fish were lost over the dam during the initial drawdown. Another lake owner has documented a weekly average of 15+ fish kill walking the same 400 foot stretch of shoreline along Main Street since the drawdown has been in place. The DNR was unable to issue a temporary restriction on fishing during the LORE project to reduce the threat of overfishing but has instead supported installing an aeration system. A lake owner offered use of a ½ HP Kasco surface aerator but our expert aeration sources found this system to be inefficient and not up to the task. Recommended by the DNR, installing a 3 HP Aire O2 surface aspirator would reduce overfishing by preventing fishing directly over the deepest fish habitat where they will gather due to the lowered lake levels. After consulting with ERMU the electrical infrastructure in the proximity of where the aspirator would be placed (off the West point of the Orono cemetery) would not be sufficient for the 3HP unit. Instead a 2HP, single phase unit was quoted and required a higher gauge cable which in result increased the estimated cost to $9,7852.86. Initially we were estimating the cost to be $4-5,000 and that has doubled due to the higher material costs and additional electrical requirements that were not anticipated. At this time due to the increased costs we are proposing as an alternative to installing an aerator, and as recommended by the DNR, use of funds from the LORE project for fish restocking in partnership with the DNR. Joe Stewig, DNR Area Fisheries Manager has been very helpful and has offered to partner with us to determine what the fish population is in the spring and work with us to restock. The goal would be to replace any fish kill with fingerling and adult species that would be able to spawn in the upcoming season. 2 2. Project Scope The OLID believes it would be appropriate for the City to use LORE funds for fish restocking since Lake Orono is a public lake and all public users would be impacted. If the City feels strongly that some of the funding should come from OLID, the board would consider that as well. The highest amount available being $2,000. However, reserving that amount for future stocking needs may be most prudent. With the higher costs and additional steps associated with the aerator, we believe restocking would be the most cost effective, beneficial and provide the most value to the lake and it’s users, per Joe Stewig’s recommendation. The DNR has offered to conduct a survey to compare how the lake is performing relative to similar lakes and determine how much restocking is needed at that time. The DNR has offered that if we forego the aeration system and that the lake takes some winterkill and/or overfishing occurs they are willing to work with the OLID to restock the lake. They would bring in their shock boat to survey the fish and assist with locating some mature bass and bluegills to stock before they spawn. The DNR provided a list of 6 Fish Distributors in the area and contact was made with 5 to estimate restocking costs, all sources were similar in costs. Ron Rademacher was one of the recommended fish distributors and previously provided stocking to Orono Lake after the last dredge. His previous knowledge and understanding of the lake ecosystem was beneficial when discussing the plan to restock. Per Ron, the cost to restock the lake would be approximately $5,000 based on the 1998 restocking costs. A major fish kill of 75% or more would increase the cost to $7,000 however this may be lower depending on availability of fish from the DNR. Estimates were based on restocking bluegill, black crappies, yellow perch and small mouth bass. The estimated cost of 3-6” bluegill and black crappies were $1.25-1.50 a piece. The cost for a 2-5lb. pair of small mouth bass that can spawn before the end of May was $50. Each pair being capable of producing 5,000-12,000 eggs per nest. Yellow perch were not available from all suppliers however Ron Rademacher would be able to provide them at the $1.25-1.50 pricing. Some restocking may be done in the fall of 2021 or Spring of 2022 depending on the timing of ice out, when the water was brought back to its normal level, when the survey was completed and availability of fish at that time. 3 3. Costs Involved (500-750) $1.25-1.50 apiece 3-6” Blue Gill (500-750) $1.25-1.50 apiece 3-6” Crappies (500-750) $1.25-1.50 3-6” Yellow Perch (30-60) $50 per adult pair Small Mouth Bass. (May wait to restock them Spring 2022) $5,000 total cost with anticipated loss of fish. or $7,000 total cost with a large winterkill however the DNR will be able to provide some fish lowering the overall cost. 4. High-Level Timeline/Schedule Fish Distributor’s would need to schedule stocking by early May to stock fish prior to end of May in time for the new fish to spawn in Lake Orono.