At ISG, we are problem solvers. Our team of planners, architects, engineers, and scientists are committed to partnering with you to help address your water management challenges. Through expert insights, project success stories, and current resources, your water quality goals can be achieved, resulting in a healthier community, economy, and environment.
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Positive Imprint: ISG Case Studies |
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| East River
Recreational Trail
Allouez, WI
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The coordinated efforts of multiple concurrent projects in Brown County and Wisconsin are fostering positive coastal resiliency for local communities. By integrating environmental restoration with public access and use, this initiative illustrates the impact of collaboration and engagement among multiple partners achieving comprehensive and sustainable regional development.
The East River Recreational Trail master plan integrates public use and ecological restoration to address regional environmental priorities. With previous studies highlighting issues like water quality and habitat degradation, the East River—linked to the Fox River and Lake Michigan—has been targeted for restoration due to industrial contamination and frequent flooding.
The project unites multiple initiatives to tackle these challenges, involving partners such as the Village of Allouez, Bellevue, Green Bay, Ledgeview, NEW Water, and The Nature Conservancy, supported by a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant. ISG is developing a comprehensive master plan that enhances trail accessibility during high water flows and incorporates habitat and water quality improvements.
Community engagement, through in-person open houses and a Social Pinpoint website, ensures that public input shapes the project. By leveraging our expertise in civil engineering, landscape architecture, and planning, ISG addressed both environmental and recreational needs.
The master plan considered related, on-going projects such as the Brown County Conservation water trails and Green Bay’s green infrastructure stormwater project. This coordinated effort among communities maximizes resources and will help secure future funding to implement the plan, demonstrating how integrated planning can achieve multiple benefits.
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| Fountain Lake
Habitat Restoration
Albert Lea, MN
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Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is facing water quality challenges and is listed as impaired. The Shell-Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) initiated a state-funded improvement plan to enhance water quality and support
native fish communities.
Learn more about ISG's environmentally friendly designs to support fish habitat and food establishment by clicking the link above.
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Leveraging Applied Technology |
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Aquatic Mapping at Fountain Lake
Albert Lea, MN
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The habitat restoration efforts at Fountain Lake are expected to improve water clarity, promoting overall aquatic vegetation growth, which includes invasive species. The lake is facing a significant curly pondweed emergence, prompting public concern. Due to our ongoing work at Fountain Lake, SRRWD enlisted ISG to establish a baseline of the curly pondweed extent.
ISG captured high-resolution aerial orthophoto imagery with a drone to accurately assess the extent of aquatic vegetation. By conducting drone flights early in the season, we took advantage of the clear water to detect underwater vegetation by observing color changes in the imagery. We plan to repeat this process each spring for several seasons to track changes over time. The data will assist SRRWD in public communication and provide a qualitative understanding of vegetation growth, helping to develop effective management strategies.
The innovative use technology will offer valuable insights, enabling the team to monitor and address changes year after year.
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With in-house experts, ISG offers advanced GIS and technology solutions for clients, assessing location-specific issues and watershed-wide resource characterization using diverse datasets. We construct geographic models, normalize data, and establish threshold values, guiding stakeholders through complex suitability assessments with weighted and unweighted preferences.
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In The Know: Funding Opportunities |
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Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) |
Clean Water Funds
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Applications due August 22
- 10% match required
- Funds accelerated implementation and on the ground implementation projects that focus on restoration or protection of water resources, both surface and groundwater/drinking water
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Water Quality and Storage Program
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Great opportunity for urban and rural areas to address flooding and stormwater concerns while improving water quality
- Second round anticipated late summer or fall
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10% match required and funds projects that provide water quality and water
storage benefits - Applications accepted for modeling and conceptual designs and final design and construction projects
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Modeling and conceptual design applications provide an opportunity to position a project for the next round of funding for final design and construction projects, allowing local government units to access grant funding for all project phases, maximizing local resources
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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) |
Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program
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Traditional program applications due every September; expedited conservation projects have continuous application rounds throughout the year
- 10% match and funds projects with habitat focus; can be used for habitat enhancement, restoration, or protection
- Applications range from $5,000 to $500,000 with the expedited program award capped at $50,000
- Total project costs may not exceed $1,000,000
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ISG successfully assisted with multiple water quality and storage program grants through BWSR. Below is a recap of rural projects that will benefit from storage solutions to enhance water quality. This grant offers a valuable opportunity for both urban and rural areas to address flooding and stormwater concerns while improving water quality.
Modeling and Conceptual Design
- Lyon County CD12: $12,000 awarded
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High-level desktop analysis to identify potential storage locations, modeling of up to five water storage sites, and up to three
concept designs.
- Nobles County JD4: $24,000 awarded
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Model up to five potential water storage sites with up to three concept designs, aimed at reducing flooding in the City of Brewster and mitigating downstream impacts by lowering peak flooding elevations, flow rates, and volumes to protect against flooding and anticipated climate change impacts.
- Jackson and Nobles Counties JD13: $35,000 awarded
- Model up to five potential water storage sites within the JD13 subwatershed, identified through a Multi-purpose Drainage Management Plan and verified via desktop analysis. A ranking matrix will eliminate low-benefit sites. Develop up to five concept designs for the selected storage areas.
Final Design and Construction
- Faribault County CD26: $332,500 awarded
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Complete final engineering and construct a 1.2-acre storage basin with a sediment trap near Faribault County Ditch 26 and establish a 23-acre wetland storage enhancement at the CD45 outlet
in CD26.
We invite partnerships in the Twin Cities and other urban communities to help apply for this funding to benefit your metro area.
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Let's Connect: Upcoming Conferences |
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| October 15–17, 2024
Autodesk University 2024
Leaders from ISG’s Water Business Unit will be presenting on our advanced InfoWorks ICM modeling, reconciling flood risk maps with community experiences to create a Master Drainage Plan for Brookings, South Dakota.
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Thank you for attending the second annual Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes Conference April 12-13. The event offered actionable strategies for improving water quality and fostering sustainable lake conservation.
Save the date for the 2025 conference and join us as we continue to enhance knowledge, resources, and collaboration for the health of Minnesota lakes.
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| Minnesota River Congress
June 13, 2024
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"Do we care enough?" Julie Blackburn posed this question to the Minnesota River Congress, a conservation group working to restore water quality for the river basin. Flipping the script on the divisiveness between environmental groups and the agricultural industry, Julie continues to advocate for partnerships based on trust. "To realize environmental sustainability, farmers need to be profitable, which oftentimes requires drainage tile in these heavy soils."
Profitability allows farmers to implement best management practices leading to the water quality changes each side wants to see. ISG’s Water team is an advocate for both sides, working toward balanced, multi-benefit solutions for all.
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| Agricultural Drainage + Future of Water Quality 2024 Spring Field Tour
May 30, 2024
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Attendees at the Agricultural Drainage + Future of Water Quality 2024 Spring Field Tour experienced water quality improvements by collaborative efforts of cities, counties, and agricultural landowners firsthand. The tour showcased a municipal drain leading to a 10-acre nutrient treatment wetland, a 90-acre restored wetland, the world's largest woodchip bioreactor, and several constructed wetlands. Attendees left inspired by advancements in agricultural water management and its benefits to water quality and habitat.
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| Maximizing Project
Success with
Environmental Review
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Summer at ISG means field days, with our environmental crews identifying and verifying conditions to set projects up for success from the start. Projects often require Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAWs),
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Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), or Alternative Urban Areawide Reviews (AUARs) to mitigate environmental impacts. Mandated by regulatory agencies under laws like NEPA, these assessments ensure compliance. ISG’s Environmental Practice Group excels in jurisdictional reviews, supporting public and private clients across 12 markets. Our expertise ensures efficient and accurate development of EAWs, EISs, and AUARs for diverse projects.
Learn more about our environmental review services and contact us to start your project today.
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Facilitation Services for Great Lakes Region
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Many consulting groups are skilled at facilitating public facing planning meetings aimed at information gathering and sharing. Unique to ISG, is our understanding of highly skilled and technical audiences. Our technical understanding allows us to tailor facilitation strategies to drive decision-making and advance
complex projects.
In partnership with LimnoTech, experts in coastal modeling and restoration, ISG is engaged in several Great Lakes Coastal resiliency projects. We understand the scientific goals of these communities and were enlisted to facilitate high-level technical discussions with knowledgeable stakeholders. We develop tailored materials for subject matter experts, including PhDs, researchers, experienced practitioners, and city staff who may understand water quality programs but need guidance on specific coastal restoration elements.
Our facilitation goes beyond information sharing. We ask relevant questions to drive decisions and identify next steps, ensuring progress on these critical projects. Contact us to learn how ISG’s facilitation services can help you navigate complex discussions and achieve actionable outcomes for your projects.
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