About the Report
The 2015 Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to prepare cost estimates for augmenting White Bear Lake with Mississippi River water taken from the Sucker Lake Chain of Lakes. St. Paul Regional Water Services brings Mississippi River water through the Sucker Lake Chain as part of its drinking water supply system.The DNR worked with the Metropolitan Council to hire Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), a consulting/engineering firm, to conduct an analysis and prepare a report on the cost of moving water from the Sucker Lake Chain to White Bear Lake. Additional firms provided independent technical review of SEH's work. The DNR has confidence that the SEH analysis and report provides an accurate concept-level cost estimate for augmenting White Bear Lake.The report was delivered to the Legislature on January 29, 2016.Report- Concept Cost Report for Augmentation of White Bear Lake with Surface Water
- Concept Cost Report Appendices
Two Pipeline Alternatives
Short Elliott Hendrickson prepared cost estimates for two pipeline alternatives: the Sucker Lake alternative and the East Vadnais Lake alternative. Both lakes are located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, approximately four miles west of White Bear Lake. Both alignment alternatives were assumed to have similar infrastructure systems, and include limited water treatment to remove aquatic invasive species (including zebra mussels) and solid particles. SEH also prepared cost estimates for two additional water treatment options that would achieve higher levels of water quality treatment.Cost Estimates
The estimated costs for construction, basic water treatment, and annual operations and maintenance are summarized below. The Sucker Lake alternative has a higher construction cost because a 1,600 foot tunnel would need to be built under I-35E and the alignment has more contaminated sites and poorer soils for construction. The estimates are based on construction occurring between 2018 and 2019.Estimated Cost | Sucker Lake Alternative | East Vadnais Lake Alternative |
| Construction Cost (2018-19 dollars) | $67 million | $55 million |
| Operations and Maintenance Cost | $570,000 / year | $570,000 / year |