Spring 2025 Newsletter
Navigating Drainage + Water Quality
Welcome to Rural Waters, ISG's e-newsletter dedicated to supporting rural drainage, lakes, streams, rivers, agriculture, and the environment.
With a balanced approach, ISG designs surface water systems with current technology to mitigate flood damage, minimize maintenance costs, and enhance yields, efficiencies, and water quality—delivering multi-benefit solutions.
RURAL DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS
Holding The Line: Erosion Control That Works | Jackson County, MN
Spring is a critical season for erosion control due to increased rainfall and runoff, especially in areas with active drainage systems and exposed soils. On the Jackson Judicial Ditch 2 project, ISG took a unique and proactive approach to managing erosion in a complex, multi-component drainage system serving 1,500 acres. Recognizing ongoing issues with water backing up and causing erosion near the outlet into Jack Creek, ISG worked with landowners, Jackson County, the Heron Lake Watershed District, and the Minnesota DNR to design a long-term solution.
The team implemented a combination of concrete block mats and turf reinforcement matting to stabilize vulnerable areas, particularly near a vital pump station and the adjacent county highway.
Installed in 2023, these erosion control measures were put to the test during the extreme flooding of 2024—and they held strong, protecting infrastructure and preventing sediment from being washed downstream. This project proves how thoughtful design and early intervention mitigates erosion during heavy spring rains.
JD 15: Adaptive Solutions In The Field | Blue Earth + Le Sueur Counties, MN
Judicial Ditch 15, an open-ditch system that drains 2,903 acres of agricultural land, has undergone multiple repairs since its original construction in 1908, with the most recent repair in 2019. However, landowners still sought further improvements. ISG met with landowners to design and implement changes that deepened the ditch, flattened side slopes, and added buffers and alternative side inlets to reduce sediment runoff.
During construction in early 2022, ISG adapted to winter conditions by hydroseeding when mats could not be anchored into frozen ground, while using erosion control mats during the spring phase. Both methods performed well, protecting landowner interests and downstream resources through a flexible approach.
ISSUES FACING RURAL DRAINAGE
Batch + Build Projects | Polk County, IA
Drainage projects often face challenges such as high upfront costs, long-term coordination, and ongoing community disruption. The batch-and-build approach offers an effective solution by combining multiple projects into one, allowing for streamlined implementation of drainage system improvements in batches. Learn how this approach benefited the Helland Wave Wetland.
LET'S CONNECT: UPCOMING CONFERENCES
May 29, 2025 | 2025 Field Tour in Southern, MN
EVENT RECAPS
A Big Splash: 2025 Lakes Conference | Mankato, MN
The 2025 Lakes Conference brought together over 100 attendees representing 33 lakes across Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. The Friday night social welcomed 60 participants, offering valuable networking opportunities and featuring six expert-led discussions including watershed planning, shoreland restoration, stewardship programs, landowner collaboration, targeted watershed implementation, and aquatic invasive species management.
The full-day conference on Saturday included eight sessions covering lake ecology, lake management case studies, shoreline stewardship, and volunteer data collection. Attendees also engaged with an interactive shoreline management board game.
Attendee Evaluation Highlights
Found value in hearing success stories from other lake associations
Appreciated the diversity of topics and practical tips—from shoreline restoration to curlyleaf pondweed control
Praised the networking opportunities at the Friday night social
Expressed excitement about this year’s expansion to a two-day format "It was excellent!" "High quality conference—very well done!"
Mark your calendars! The fourth annual Lakes Conference is scheduled for March 6–7, 2026.
Water Reuse 2025 Symposium | Tampa, FL
To help turn the tide of water reuse in the next 40 years, ISG professionals Tom Brown, Rachel Kloos, and Chuck Brandel attended the Water Reuse 2025 Symposium on March 16–19. Takeaways around water reuse technologies are driving reuse initiatives that promote sustainability and public health for communities worldwide.
"It was exciting to delve into water reuse and wetlands stories and ideas at the #2025WateReuseSymposium! I look forward to continuing to see the impacts the event has on water reuse initiatives nationwide."
–Chuck Brandel, PE, ISG Vice President and National Agricultural Drainage Expert
Big Sioux Stewardship Summit | Sioux Falls, SD
The April 16–17 Big Sioux Stewardship Summit was a collaborative event organized by the City of Sioux Falls and South Dakota State University (SDSU). This summit reimagined and expanded the annual Big Sioux River and Sustainability Summit, and helped to broaden the conversation around environmental stewardship by incorporating urban and rural perspectives.
"Events like this are essential for bridging the gap between innovation and implementation," said ISG Civil Engineer Kyle Werning, based out of ISG's Sioux Falls office.
Conservation Drainage Network Annual Meeting | Urbana, IL
On April 2 and 3, the Conservation Drainage Network held their annual meeting. The event was hosted by the University of Illinois College of ACES. Two ISG professionals shared their industry insights at the event: Chuck Brandel, PE presented on water storage success stories—including his own—and Caleb Rasmussen, PE, facilitated an edge-of-field water quality practices workshop and training.
FUNDING + GRANT UPDATES
ISG's funding specialists excel in securing grants, having obtained over $45 million in public and private funding across the Midwest. Our connections with local, state, and federal agencies ensure swift, tailored grant applications that meet criteria and boost acceptance rates. Continuously updated on federal and state funding, our team navigates evolving programs, guiding clients toward optimal opportunities. With a focus on legislative awareness, we maximize funding, leveraging every available dollar for impactful projects.
Check here for upcoming funding opportunities, success stories, and resources on navigating the complexities of grant applications for your drainage and water quality initiatives.
Water Quality + Storage Pilot Program Wins
Recently, ISG's surface water team has had great success with the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) Water Quality and Storage Pilot Program, helping our clients secure funding for projects in the Minnesota River Watershed.
In 2024, ISG helped with six storage grant project awards. In 2025, our team assisted multiple clients in submitting grants for projects in five Southern Minnesota counties.
ISG HAPPENINGS
Talking Community Pride-Driven Preservation LIVE For Lake Washington
In the fall of 2024, ISG’s Chuck Brandel, PE and National Ag Drainage Expert took the Build Blue Podcast on a tour of Lake Washington and discussed on Lake Water Quality is important to everyone around the lake and how healthy lakes can boost our communities.
Volunteering: Friends of the Big Sioux River Cleanup Makes an IMPACT
On April 26, eight ISG employee owners gathered in Canton, South Dakota—our newest client community as City Engineer—for the annual Big Sioux River clean-up on Earth Day.
After the clean-up, volunteers relaxed at Remedy Brewing Company in Sioux Falls for the annual launch of 2025’s Big Sioux Brew—a German pilsner brewed with recycled river water. Water/Wastewater Practice Group Leader Rachel Kloos has played a key role in the water recycling project, working as a member of Friends of the Big Sioux River to spotlight the importance of clean water through creative, community-focused initiatives.
ISG’s marketing team is proud to design the Brew’s label each year, spotlighting creativity and conservation.
ADMC's New President
ISG Vice President and National Agricultural Drainage Expert, Chuck Brandel, PE, was recently named the president of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC). The ADMC assists the agricultural community in improving water quality and increasing yields for food and energy producers.
"It’s an honor to accept the role of president," Chuck said. "Having served on the ADMC's board since 2015, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of our work on tackling agricultural drainage and water quality challenges. Together, we will continue to drive sustainable solutions and a resilient, food-secure future."
The ADMC has just formalized a five-year partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This collaboration aims to expand and improve conservation drainage practices across the country. ADMC will play a key role in supporting implementation, providing data and assessments, and identifying emerging technologies to enhance outcomes at the farm, watershed, and landscape levels.