Mitchell leaders approve hiring dredging design firm for Lake Mitchell The Mitchell City Council's unanimous approval of the preliminary dredging design for Lake Mitchell will provide the city with drawings, a true cost estimate and several other key outcomes to move dredging forward. Written By: Sam Fosness | × An aerial photo of Lake Mitchell from 2009. (Republic file photo) The Lake Mitchell dredging project is inching closer to becoming a reality following the Mitchell City Council’s approval on Monday to have a preliminary dredging design completed. The council tabbed Minnesota-based Barr Engineering to complete the preliminary design at a cost of $339,000. According to Mitchell Mayor Bob Everson, the preliminary dredge design -- which he emphasized is not a study -- will provide key information, including determining the actual cost of the project, which has yet to be determined.