DNR Stream Habitat - Phase II
Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects are ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded seven stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below.
Hallock Riffles - Construction of the project was finished in fall 2021. A total of 2 riffles were installed to stabilize the grade near the Hallock Dam project. Forty-three fish species will benefit from riffle habitat that is important for spawning. Funding was split between M16 and ML17.
Mound Creek Dam Removal and Channel Restoration - Construction of the project was completed at the end of 2019. After a dam failure in 2016, the Mound Creek dam was removed and replaced with a rock arch rapids. Additionally, the reservoir was restored to a naturally flowing river with a connected floodplain. This is critical habitat for Topeka Shiner and 27 other species of other fish that will benefit not only from passage upstream but from 4200 feet of restored high quality river channel. This project is within the Blue Mounds State Park and is an easily visible example for the public to see the type of restoration efforts going on in the State of Minnesota.
Fredenberg Culverts - Construction finished in spring 2022. Two undersized culverts were identified on Fredenberg Creek as barriers to fish passage. The culverts were replaced to improve fish passage and restore more natural sediment transport. Twenty species of fish have benefited from added passage in the watershed by accessing additional, high-quality habitat. Project partners included the Cook County SWCD. Matching funds for the project included $100,000 from Save our Great Lakes grant and $20,000 from Cliffs Foundation.
Hockamin Culverts - Construction on the first Hockamin culvert was completed in 2022; construction on the second culvert is anticipated for 2023. Two undersized culverts were identified as fish barriers on Hockamin Creek. Improving fish passage at the culverts will open up 23 miles of stream for 26 species of fish including brook trout. This project was done in partnership with the Lake County SWCD. Matching funds were provided by Save Our Great Lakes $337,318 and Crystal Bay Township $10,000
Carlos Dam Modification - The Lake Carlos project finished construction at the end of 2020. After the dam failed multiple times, a rock arch rapids design was implemented to allow fish passage at the site. There are 38 species of fish that benefit from passage at this site. This project reconnected about 3 miles of stream and 4407 acres of lake habitat. The Glacial Lake Partnership contributed $30,000 towards the project. Funding was split between ML16 and ML17.
Fish Creek Culvert - This project was completed in fall 2019. DNR worked with Todd County Highway Department to replace a culvert that acted as a fish barrier on CR 47.
Crane Lake Culvert - This project was completed in fall 2018. A culvert immediately downstream of Crane Lake was replaced to restore fish passage.
$2,166,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance habitat in degraded streams, critical aquatic species habitat, and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
The Crane Lake project was known to have rare mussel species in the vicinity. This project has the potential to benefit those species by allowing their upstream movement past the barriers. Restoration of fish passage will help to return fish and mussel diversity that was present upstream of dams prior to their construction. Projects with the potential to benefit rare species was one of the criteria by which stream projects are ranked. All projects were searched with the MNDNR's Natural Heritage Database that tracks known locations of rare species or plant communities. Project plans incorporated that information into design so that impacts to rare species were minimized to the greatest extent possible.
FEMA and US Fish and Wildlife