On October 7th, 2000 at 12:20 PM we went down to the Southwest loop pond to the Highway 55/62 interchange that is under construction. The base of the pond has already filled up with groundwater. Construction activity stopped yesterday, 4:30PM. We went down to the area with both a Digital Altimeter and a Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) (no less than six signals were used to get altimeter measurements with the G.P.S.) to measure the height of the standing water in the pond, and then the height of the Coldwater Spring. The two instruments concurred, that the water in the Southwest loop pond is between one and two feet higher than the outlet of the Coldwater Spring.
On Thursday October 5th, continued flow to Coldwater Springs have been agreed to by MnDOT, by raising the height of the outflow of the pond. This however we have not received in writing. We are dependent on MnDOT verbal assurances that they will do the right thing. MnDOT will have the outflow of the pond at least at the height of the Coldwater Spring and “if feasible” even higher. However we do not know what the final height will be. (The original height of the pond was to be lower than the Coldwater Spring, which could allow back flow from Coldwater to the pond, and the excess water would be drained through MnDOT storm water ditches to the Mississippi River)
Upon calling various people in MnDOT, no one could give the height of the standing ground water of the pond. Because it has not rained lately, it’s height should be accurate. But to our knowledge, MnDOT has never surveyed this critical piece of information. MnDOT’s own study shows this to be the source water to the Coldwater Spring.
Due to that lack of natural height information, the G.P.S. and altimeter readings seem to be the most accurate known. The outflow height of the pond needs to be two feet higher than the Coldwater Spring (known to be 242 meters above sea level) as it naturally sits today, to ensure that the natural flow of water stays at it’s normal rate to the Coldwater Spring.
Please call your representatives and city council members and ask that they, as they are the only overseers of MnDOT, ensure that the Southwest loop pond be built at the correct height, to ensure the continued FULL flow to Coldwater. This pond should be two feet above the height of Coldwater.
On the positive side, MnDOT also finally stopped the flow of water from their construction area, through storm sewers to the Mississippi. This flow started with construction activity, and after many months it has finally been corrected.
*The G.P.S. System is operated by the government of the United States, which is solely responsible for it’s accuracy and maintenance, thus all data collected today is from the U. S. Government.
Ward 1 Paul Ostrow (612) 673-2201 paul.ostrow@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 2 Joan Campbell (612) 673-2202 must go here to send email Ward 3 Joe Biernat (612) 673-2203 joe.biernat@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 4 Barbara Johnson (612) 673-2204 barbara.johnson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 5 Jackie Cherryhomes (612) 673-2205 jackie.cherryhomes@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 6 Jim Niland (612) 673-2206 jim.niland@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 7 Lisa Goodman (612) 673-2207 must go here to send email Ward 8 Brian Herron (612) 673-2208 brian.herron@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 9 Kathy Thurber (612) 673-2209 must go here to send email Ward 10 Lisa McDonald (612) 673-2210 lisa.mcdonald@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Ward 11 S. Doré Mead (612) 673-2211 must go here to send email Ward 12 Sandy Colvin Roy (612) 673-2212 must go here to send email Ward 13 Barret Lane (612) 673-2213 barret.lane@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton needs to hear from you as well. 612-673-2100
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And what the hey, Governor
Jesse Ventura should hear from you too. (651)296-3391
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