Wildlife Habitat Losses in Ten Mile Creek Watershed (Judicial Ditch 8), Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties, MN

350 wetlands totaling 4,730 acres were destroyed by the installation of the Judicial Ditch 8 drainage system. This system, containing 135 miles of tile and 149 miles of open ditch disrupted much of the areas wildlife. It is estimated that the installation of the large ditch system reduced wildlife populations by 12,000 ducks, 9,000 muskrats and 8,000 pheasants. If a more modest approach were taken it is possible that much of the habitat and wildlife loss could have been prevented.