Navigating Drainage + Water Quality
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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.
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| Unlocking the Economic Potential of Drainage
Water Recycling
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Supporting the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), ISG teamed up with Christopher Hay Consulting to evaluate how drainage water recycling could economically impact agriculture and water management across rural landscapes. The team outlined a multi-tiered approach to evaluate the financial viability and potential benefits of drainage water recycling systems. The final report offered a comprehensive analysis of costs, returns, and funding strategies relevant to farmers, drainage districts, and other stakeholders. By modeling a variety of project types and investment scenarios, ISG provided the insights needed for informed, strategic decision-making around drainage water recycling adoption.
ISG’s approach went beyond traditional cost analysis, capturing the full scope of drainage water recycling implementation, including
- Infrastructure
- Irrigation design
- Operation and maintenance
- Potential incentive funding
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Community benefits, such as improved water quality and public
infrastructure efficiency
ISG’s Chuck Brandel and Spencer Pech provided deep technical expertise through years of experience in watershed planning, while Christopher Hay Consulting added nationally recognized insight in agricultural water systems. Together, the team delivered a results-driven, scalable roadmap to help turn water challenges into economic and environmental opportunities.
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| ISG, Ohio Department of Higher Education, and OSU Join Forces for Lake Erie’s Future
Columbus, OH
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ISG is taking the lead in tackling harmful algal blooms in northwest Ohio through the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI). Working alongside The Ohio State University, we are pinpointing the best spots for drainage water recycling systems across five Lake Erie watersheds. Since the model is designed to be scalable, it can easily expand beyond Ohio to support cleaner water and sustainable farming in places like Minnesota and Iowa.
Turning farmland into a smart solution that captures and reuses runoff helps cut down nutrient pollution and protect our precious water resources. Using a data-driven system to identify water availability, soil health, and feasibility, the team can locate where DWR would make the biggest impact.
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| The Drainage Flywheel: Powering Smarter Water Use
in Agriculture
Guest Author
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What if the future of farming is not having to choose between drainage or irrigation—but closing the loop between them? Discover how integrated water management can transform yields, resilience, and resource use across U.S. agriculture.
Read this guest blog from Alleghany Services CEO Chad Klotzbach, PE.
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Issues Facing Rural Drainage |
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| Urban-Rural
Stormwater Interaction
Early, IA
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When stormwater issues threatened both the City of Early and surrounding Sac County farmland, a fragmented drainage approach was no longer an option. Discover how a collaborative effort between local governments and ISG turned a failing drainage system into a model for regional resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
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| Nobles County + Jackson County Judicial Ditch No. 4
Brewster, MN
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Nobles County, Jackson County, and the City of Brewster partnered with ISG to evaluate the condition of the Judicial Ditch No. 4 (JD 4) system, which drains approximately 1,500 acres and serves as the primary stormwater system for the City. ISG televised portions of the system and found many tiles were severely deteriorated or blocked by tree roots and debris. In response, ISG worked with local partners to develop cost-effective repair strategies and submitted a grant application through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Storage Grant Program to explore storage options that could reduce system capacity needs and overall costs.
Future improvements are being considered, with City and rural residents collaborating to replace the aging infrastructure with long-term, sustainable drainage solutions.
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| Blue Earth County Ditch 56 Branch 3 Repairs
Blue Earth County, MN
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Aging infrastructure in Blue Earth County Ditch No. 56 (CD 56) has led to failing tile branches, raising concerns about drainage, flooding, and sediment entering Crystal Lake. The 9,000-acre watershed, which drains through the City of Lake Crystal, serves as one of its primary stormwater outlets.
In response, The City, Crystal Waters Project, and area farmers partnered with ISG and Blue Earth County to explore long-term solutions that benefit both urban and rural stakeholders. Over a five-year planning process, the team developed a comprehensive approach that includes sediment removal from Crystal Lake, a new storage and sediment capture pond near the City, and realignment of Branch 3. Construction has begun, with additional storage features planned for 2026. This collaborative project highlights how communities can come together to protect local resources while supporting agricultural needs.
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Let's Connect: Upcoming Conferences |
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ISG played a key role in securing Water Quality and Storage Grant Awards from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BSWR) for the following projects:
- Yellow Medicine CD9/Hazel Creek Water Quality and Storage
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Judicial Ditch 36 Wetland Restoration
- Faribault CD 46 Water Storage Plan
These grants support flood management efforts in the Minnesota River Valley and beyond by promoting the use of flood management through a water quality lens, allowing water resource professionals to maximize the benefits and positive impacts of their projects.
ISG’s water resource and funding experts are ready to assist with project development and grant coordination—from concept brainstorming to full blown designs and the expertise to create a comprehensive project, corresponding grant application, public meetings, and construction administration.
Contact us today to start planning for your next water storage project.
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2025 Agricultural Drainage and Future of Water Quality Tour
Jackson and Nobles Counties, MN
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At the recent 2025 Agricultural Drainage and Future of Water Quality Tour, we connected with fellow water professionals while exploring projects improving drainage and water quality across Jackson and Nobles counties.
Attendees visited wetland restorations at the Toe Wildlife Management Area and saw how smart upgrades at Jackson JD 8, like new wetlands and erosion fixes, are helping protect nearby lakes. Additionally, improvements at Joint Ditch No. 13 with storage ponds and riparian buffers showed attendees how we are tackling runoff and erosion on a large scale. Other stops highlighted some clever erosion control work at Jackson JD 2 and the multi-use wetland upgrades for the Heron Lake Watershed District’s Thompson Wetland.
"The water levels in the storage basin rose up very quickly after the rains started as more flood waters rushed through the system. The basin filled up but was able to handle the large flows and the drainage system worked just like the ISG Engineers said it would. After the event the water in the basin receded slowly and most of the infrastructure in the drainage system and fields were protected from damage."
– Loretta Halbur, Nobles County Drainage System Coordinator, during the JD 13 Storage Pond Site Presentation
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American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual
International Meeting
Toronto, Ontario
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We had an incredible time at ASABE 2025 in Toronto, where we joined experts to explore the future of agricultural and biological engineering. Highlights included the Holland Marsh tour, Chuck Brandel's presentation on the upcoming Drainage Water Recycling Economic Analysis report, and in-depth conversations with members of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition.
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| Green Seam Celebration of Ag
Mankato, MN
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Chuck Brandel and Graduate Engineer Jacob Mueller attended the Green Seam Celebration of Ag, where a strong showing of passionate agriculture professionals highlighted the innovative work happening across the industry.
Many organizations shared their stories, including EarthScout, whose soil moisture sensing technology sparked exciting conversations around its potential integration with controlled drainage systems. While still an emerging idea, the possibilities for smarter, automated water management in regional networks are promising and we are excited to see where it leads.
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| 2025 Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) International Annual Conference
Costa Mesa, CA
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Arkansas Agricultural, Forest, and Water Conference
Fayetteville, AR
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Civil Engineers Bailey Bocchino, Matt Casey, and TJ Wells represented ISG at the conference, learning that the rapid growth in the region has presented unique challenges for water resources, as it is the headwaters of the Illinois River and Beaver Creek Watersheds. Bailey noted planning is a large focus of the region in order to enhance, protect, and restore priority areas.
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Welcome Rose and Mary!
We are thrilled to welcome two new faces to the ISG water team.
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Rose Mumbi
Research Scientist
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Rose brings expertise in turning environmental data into useful info that helps make smart, sustainable water plans. She has hands-on experience with water quality and project management, making sure everything we do is practical and implementable.
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| Mary Sahraei
Graduate Engineer
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Our newest graduate engineer, brings fresh skills in modeling, GIS, and climate resilience. Mary’s passion for science communication and stakeholder collaboration makes her a great fit for working closely with communities and clients to create effective water management plans.
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| New Opportunities in
Raleigh + Philadelphia
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In May, ISG broadened its geographic footprint and service capabilities by acquiring JDAVIS, a respected, employee-owned design firm with established offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This strategic acquisition not only enhances ISG’s presence in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, but also brings a wealth of design expertise and regional knowledge into the fold. For the ISG water team, the expansion is particularly exciting.
With proximity to the Chesapeake Bay—one of the most ecologically and economically important estuaries in the U.S.—we are now well-positioned to play a greater role in coastal resilience, watershed management, and sustainable water infrastructure development in the region. The addition of JDAVIS's local insight and client relationships opens new avenues for collaboration, innovation, and impact across water-related projects, from urban stormwater systems to large-scale environmental restoration efforts.
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| Newest Board Member
of America's
Watershed Initiative
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ISG's Water Business Unit Leader Julie Blackburn, CFM, was recently appointed as a board member of America's Watershed Initiative (AWI). The AWI is a collaborative group addressing management challenges for the Mississippi River and its 250+ tributaries.
"We are thrilled to welcome Julie to our board of directors. She brings a wealth of experience in strategic watershed leadership that will be invaluable as we advance our mission. We're particularly excited about her proven skills in building collaborative relationships, which aligns perfectly with one of our organization's core tenets. Julie's expertise will strengthen our ability to create meaningful partnerships and drive impactful change across the watershed."
– Rachel Orf, AWI Board Chair and Director of Environmental Stewardship, National Corn Grower Association
"Growing up in the Mississippi headwaters region of Minnesota and with a career dedicated to watershed protection and restoration, I'm excited to put my personal and professional passions to work for this great organization. AWI's focus on increasing collaboration to increase the vibrancy of America's watershed is aligned with the work we do every day at ISG throughout the central Mississippi River Valley and we are proud to support this organization."
– Julie Blackburn, CFM, Water Business Unit Leader, ISG
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Taking Top Honors: 1st Place in Newsletter Marketing from the Zweig Group
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ISG received national recognition in the 2025 Zweig Group Marketing Excellence Awards, earning first place in the Newsletter Marketing category for the Water Resources and Rural Waters newsletters. Thank you to all our long-time subscribers for your continued support, and a warm welcome to those who have recently joined us—we’re excited to keep sharing valuable updates with you.
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