ATTACHMENT N

MEMO
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Ecological and Water Resources
Region 1- Northwest

Date:

May 16, 2014

To:

Nathan Kestner, Environmental Assessment Ecologist

From:

Jennifer Rose, Groundwater Specialist

Subject:

Riverview, LLPBaker Dairy-- EAW

Reviewed by:

Michele Walker, PG, Groundwater Specialist, 4/29/2014

Riverview, LLP is planning to construct a dairy in the fall of 2014 in Baker Township, Stevens County
(SW , Section 36, T124N, R44W). The proposed source of water is from groundwater (Figure 1) near
their West River Dairy site. The appropriation details are:
1) 2014-0560- application pending review. 1 well (Unique No. 799684) located at Baker Dairy for
wash water use. 75 MGY proposed appropriation at 200 GPM. Well screened from 165 to 195
feet BGL.
2) 2014-1997- preliminary well assessment. 2 new wells located at West River Dairy (~6 miles to
the east. Wells to be used for livestock watering. Drilled to approximately 280 feet BGL.
60 MGY proposed appropriation at 800 GPM.
Review of the preliminary well assessment application 2014-1997 and available information raised
concerns for aquifer sustainability, potential connection to the Pomme de Terre River, and interferences
with nearby domestic residences. The West River Dairy site currently has three existing DNR
appropriation permits (Figure 2) within close proximity to each other. The details for these appropriations
are:
1) 2004-1023: 95 MGY- for dairy operations from 5 wells ranging in depth from 132 to 298 feet.
Wells 1 through 3 are in a shallow confined aquifer and Wells 4 and 5 are in a deep confined
aquifer.
2) 2009-0492: 85.7 MGY-for irrigation of 526 acres from 1 well 140 feet deep in the shallow
confined aquifer.
3) 2010-0080:15 MGY from a dug pit/holding pond for irrigation for 526 acres. Not connected to
groundwater.

The new appropriation 2014-1997 will consist of 2 wells at approximately 280 feet deep in the deep
confined aquifer. The new wells will be located approximately 500 feet north of 2004-1023 (shown as a
red dot in Figure 2). This will be a total of 7 high capacity wells within 500 feet of each other.
DNR staff Jennifer Rose and Janell Miersch met with Anthony Ekren, Riverview, on April 17, 2014 to
discuss the new dairy operation plans and water needs. It is understood that there is poor water quality at
the Baker Dairy Farm which is why Riverview is requesting two more wells at West River Dairy where
there is good water quality. Anthony Ekren mentioned the West River Dairy has collected water level
information from two wells since 2010. One well is in the shallow confined aquifer (Well #3- unique no.
690856) and the other is in the deeper confined aquifer (Well #4- unique no. 731318). Anthony Ekren
emailed this data to Jennifer Rose on April 18, 2014.
Available information including the regional hydrogeologic assessment (Berg 2008), water level data
provided by Riverview, and monthly water use records at West River Dairy were reviewed in during the
preliminary well assessment process. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aquifers in this
area. The approximate locations of the proposed new wells are shown in a red line and the orange line
shows the depth of the shallower wells at West River. The regional hydrogeologic assessment indicates
aquifers in the area are leaky and recharged from the above surficial sand and gravel aquifer. The Pomme
de Terre River is located within the surficial sand and gravel aquifer and likely provides recharge to
deeper aquifers. The groundwater age is recent near the Pomme de Terre River and age increases with
depth. The new wells will likely be in the deeper confined aquifer (age pre-1953) which is an indication
that recharge to this deeper confined aquifer is limited and slow.
A cross-section of the existing wells (A-A) was constructed from west to east at West River Dairy
(Figure 4). The cross-section illustrates two aquifers at this location:
1) Shallow confined - consists of sand and gravel from 1000 to 1050 feet MSL (110 to 160 feet
BGL). This material is likely a part of RHA-6 Otter Tail River group aquifer.
2) Deep confined- consists of sand and is located above bedrock surface from 870 to 935 feet MSL
(225 to 290 feet BGL). This water-bearing material corresponds to RHA-6 Crow Wing aquifer.
Water level data provided by Riverview show declining water levels in both the shallow and deep
confined aquifers (Figures 5 and 6). It is not known when the water level measurements were collected in
respect to pumping of the wells. It was assumed that water levels were referenced from ground level.
The water level in the shallow confined has declined by approximately 5 feet from 2010 to present. The
projected decline in this aquifer is expected to reach the 50% available head in the aquifer (50%
threshold) by the 2050s based on current use rates. However, the volume of water used from the shallow
confined aquifer by West River Dairy has decreased since 2010 and this may extend the time to reach the
50% threshold.
The water level in the deeper confined aquifer declined by approximately 15 feet from 2008 to present.
The projected water level in this aquifer will likely reach the 50 % threshold in the 2030s if water use
continues at present levels. However, water use is projected to increase in the deeper confined with the
proposed Baker Dairy two new wells therefore it will likely reach the 50 % threshold much sooner than
the 2030s.

When a 50% threshold is reached in a confined aquifer, sustainability of the aquifer is in question. MN
Rules 6115.0630 Subp. 16 and 6115.0670 Subp. 3(1) note that confined aquifers must not exceed safe
yield which is defined as a change from artesian to water table conditions. Approaching the 50%
threshold in a confined aquifer is an indication that water levels are nearing water table (unconfined)
conditions and requires additional monitoring and use changes.
DNR also has an observation well located 2.8 miles to west which shows declining water levels from
1993 to present. This observation well is likely in the shallow confined aquifer.
Because of the existing and projected water level decreases in the production wells and the nearby
DNR observation well, DNR is concerned about the sustainability of the groundwater use in this
area. Further information will be required of Riverview in order to process the groundwater
appropriation permits. This information includes:

Providing an inventory of well information within 1.5 miles of both Baker Dairy and West River
Dairy. This includes gathering well information that is not in the MDH county well index.
Providing DNR with available specific capacity test data from all wells at both dairy farms.
Conducting an aquifer test once the new wells are drilled (2014-1997). The details of this test
will be determined at a later date but will be designed to evaluate current and future water use in
the confined aquifers by the dairy in both locations.
Installing an observation well(s) that will be used during the aquifer test and for long term
monitoring.
Provide DNR with an aquifer test report which describes the aquifer sustainability, impact to
nearby wells, and resource features.

Although this information will be required for the groundwater appropriation permit, the above
information will also help in evaluating the Draft Environmental Assessment Worksheet (Riverview
Dairy EAW, ERDB# - to be assigned) already underway for this site. The water use at this site is an
integral part of the business and should be evaluated carefully as part of the EAW.

Reference:
Berg, J.A., 2008, Hydrogeologic Cross Sections (Plate 5 of 6) in Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment of
Traverse- Grant County, Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources County Atlas
Series RHA-6, Part B.