Worker Injured at Lake Zumbro Dredging Site

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) – A worker involved in the Lake Zumbro dredging project survived a blast of pressurized water and mud earlier this week.

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kirby Long says the mishap occurred Wednesday morning while workers were trying to fix a leak in the discharge line.

Long says the employees were tightening a fitting when it suddenly ruptured and the worker was knocked into the water. Long says the rupture created a cloud of mist and the other workers were not aware their co-worker was in the water until the leak was fixed. Long says the man was apparently briefly knocked out but was wearing a lifejacket. His co-workers called 911 and took him to shore where he was taken by ambulance to St. Marys Hospital.

The man - identified as 25-year-old Zachary Kubal of Holmen, Wisc. - was reported in good condition Friday morning. Long says he suffered injuries to his face and arms.

Long says the two-mile long dredging system has been operating at a level of 170 psi, about half the figure it was designed for.

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