Cold Spring Fen

This project site will soon be permanently protected by a Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) easement. The site contains a portion of floodplain along the Sauk River, within a portion of a City of Cold Spring wellhead and is adjacent to a Scientific and Natural Area. The property was at risk of development until MLT's easement and now can be restored for onsite habitat improvement, floodplain restoration and to treat runoff from upstream sources. The property is 70 acres with nearly 14 acres of cropland that will be restored to wetland including a rare fen type and 56 acres of marginal habitat that will be enhanced. A natural drainage that borders the site was straightened years ago to facilitate drainage and could be re-directed to supply water back to the drained wetlands . Restoring the seepage zone of the fen and the receiving wetland between the seep and the Sauk River a unique habitat will be restored and water quality entering the Sauk River will improve. This project will provide a large tract of managed habitat for fish and wildlife, protect vulnerable soils, and improve water quality locally and downstream. In addition to providing permanent protection the project will maintain needed habitat for forest and grassland nesting birds, amphibians, big and small game and fish from its banks and downstream.