Council authorizes temporary drawdowns at Woodbridge Marsh and Polly's Pond for outlet replacement

Bloomington City Council on March 23 authorized temporary drawdowns of Woodbridge Marsh and Polly's Pond to allow replacement of deteriorated outlet-control structures.

Public Works engineer Brian Greenall explained the current outlet structures routinely plug with debris, can endanger wildlife and are difficult to maintain. The proposed work replaces the outlet with a skimmer control structure that draws water from below the surface, reduces plugging and places the outlet on the bank for easier access. Greenall said either a cofferdam or a full drawdown had been bid; contractors later recommended a full drawdown at these shallow ponds.

Greenall reported staff had secured written approval from required riparian owners (Woodbridge: two owners; Polly's Pond: 21 of 28 riparian owners), which meets the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources27s threshold for public-water drawdown permitting. He estimated each site27s work would take about three weeks and that the new concrete pipe outlet-control infrastructure should last 752D100 years. Staff said the drawdowns will be temporary and the ponds should return to normal water levels after several rainfall events.

A public commenter (Matthew Hallett) supported the opportunity and suggested habitat-restoration possibilities. Council moved to authorize the temporary drawdowns and direct staff to coordinate required DNR permits; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.