New Richland turns to flooding recovery, long-term solutions for drainage ditch
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If you look at an aerial map of the city of New Richland, you may think a small river runs through the town of 1,200 people. But it’s actually a drainage ditch and the creek that comes off it, which the city believes is partially to blame for the disastrous flooding over the weekend.
More than a half-foot of torrential rain from Friday night into Saturday led to flooded roads, homes and emergency evacuations.
Officials estimate 75 to 80 percent of the 500 home addresses in the city were damaged.
The city has helped eight displaced residents find temporary housing, but city officials believe dozens more are displaced and living with family or friends.
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The fire department evacuated a trailer park by boat. Residents came together by pontoon to evacuate 36 residents of a city-run senior care center. Water levels in the single-floor facility reached several feet high.
The facility is about 100 yards away from the creek, which is fed by water from the ditch. Residents also had to evacuate in 2010 due to flooding that came from the same creek.
“Two county ditches converge in the middle of town, which you know has a has a serious impact when nine inches of rain falls that fast,” said Tyler Lendt, city administrator for New Richland.
Preventing future flooding
According to Waseca County, the ditches were constructed to drain land and collect water quickly to provide better soil conditions and increase land available for farmers.
But during large rain events, the drain can get backed up. And it’s been happening more frequently. The city has dealt with significant flooding in 2007, 2010, 2016, 2023 and 2024.
The city commissioned a firm to study the hydrology and engineering of the ditch and come up with a solution in conjunction with the county to prevent future flooding in 2024. The study found the capacity of the ditch is “significantly less than what is needed to keep flood elevations below structures through the city,” and can typically handle excess runoff from agricultural areas, but not extreme weather.
The study suggested several alternatives including increasing the capacity of the ditch, diverting the ditch, buying out properties most impacted by floods or building levees and floodwalls.
The firm estimated the cost at the time could be anywhere from $1.8 million to $3.1 million depending on which solution was chosen. The city’s entire revenue in 2026 is projected to be $1.4 million.
Lendt did not comment on which solution was chosen, saying the city has not discussed the plan with residents who may be impacted. He said the city is currently waiting on state and federal agencies to sign off on the plan. And then, the city still needs to secure funding.
“We're still several years away from being complete,” Lendt said.
Flood recovery just beginning
As of Tuesday, the flood waters had begun to recede.
The city is working with Waseca County officials and state officials to begin the work of recovery, including a full estimate of the damages. And the city is asking everyone to document any money spent for potential reimbursement in the future.
A dumpsite has been set up and staffed with volunteers for residents to dropped off damaged furniture or other items.
The city is working to get a donation fund set up through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. The New Richland Benevolence Fund is also accepting donations for food relief. The American Red Cross is also on the ground.
Lendt hopes the city isn’t forgotten in the weeks and months to come and said he has been extremely grateful for the immediate support.
“Volunteers came out of the woodwork, and you know it's hard not to be optimistic about a community when stuff like that happens,” he said.
