St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase 6
DNR achieved the following outcomes using ML2019 funds.
-Advanced engineering and design of the Perch Lake, Mud Lake, and Lower Knowlton projects.
-Fabricated and installed a 183-foot, 700-ton culvert, restoring fish passage and hydrologic function at Perch Lake.
-Removed 68,000CY of sediment from Perch Lake, restoring coastal marsh and deep water habitat.
-Conducted professional engineering oversight and implemented a portion of the Kingsbury Bay/Creek watershed restoration project contributing to an estimated reduction of 400+ tons of sediment per year.
-Managed and advanced other projects contained in this appropriation and coordinated with partners to identify and prioritize future projects.
ML2019 funds advanced the following projects:
Perch Lake: Objectives include restoring coastal marsh, deep water, and spawning habitats by removing sediment and increasing the hydrologic connection between the isolated bay and the St. Louis River. Using ML2017/2018 funds, MNDNR partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a design for Phase 1 (dredging). Using ML2018/2019 funds and federal leverage, the MN Land Trust (MLT) contracted Phase 1, including a construction contract with JF Brennan Company and professional services with SEH, Inc. Phase 1 began in summer 2022, removing 68,000 CY of sediment to restore deep water and coastal marsh habitat. 15,200 CY of sand/gravel were placed to create spawning habitat for centrarchids and native vegetation was seeded or planted. Phase 2 of the project restored hydrologic connectivity and fish passage under Hwy23 by fabricating and installing a 12x16x183-ft, 700-ton concrete box culvert. The Phase 2 contract was managed by MNDNR and implemented by Landwehr Construction over two seasons (2023-24). The third (and final) phase of construction involves installing a pedestrian bridge through a former railroad causeway to complete the connection between Perch Lake and the river. Phase 3 will be completed in Fall/winter 2024 using ML2020 and federal leverage. Because multiple appropriations are funding construction for the 30-acre project, acres are being reporting as follows: 10 acres reported with ML2018, 15 acres reported with ML2019 (this report), and 5 acres reported with ML2020 (future report).
Kingsbury Creek (Kingsbury Bay watershed): Objectives include reducing sediment transport to downstream Kingsbury Bay and restoring coldwater habitat. A watershed study was used to prioritize project sites. The study, engineering designs for 7 separate restoration locations, and permitting/environmental review support were completed by Barr Engineering using ML2018 funds and NRDA leverage. Barr completed engineering designs in August 2021. Delays associated with Environmental Review and permit restrictions associated with trout spawning delayed the construction bidding process to August 2022, with a contract awarded to the Nordic Group in September 2022. Nordic began construction in December 2022. Record snowfall in winter 2022-23 followed by heavy spring floods resulted in multiple setbacks. Construction was substantially complete by November 2023, with final seeding/planting, warranty repairs, and monitoring continuing into summer 2024. Construction was funded through ML2018/2019 funds and NRDA leverage. Total project size is 6 acres and 2300 feet, with 4 acres reported under the ML2019 appropriation.
ML2019 funds were also used to fund SLRRI staff coordination and smaller professional service contracts required to protect restored habitat on Interstate Island and advance restoration projects on Lower Knowlton Creek and Mud Lake, currently in the design and permitting stages. SLRRI staff worked with MNDNR engineers and resource managers on a feasibility assessment and concept plan for wetland restoration in lower Keene Creek. Unfortunately, due to complex property ownership and inability to obtain the necessary agreements, restoration in Lower Keene Creek could not advance and the parcel was deleted from the final report.
$3,777,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic and riparian habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $2,182,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
The 11,000-acre St. Louis River Estuary, at the head of Lake Superior, is a unique Minnesota resource. It is the largest source of biological productivity to Lake Superior as well as the world's largest freshwater shipping port. The combination of extensive wetlands, warmer waters and the connection to Lake Superior resulted in it becoming the primary source of productivity for the western Lake Superior fishery and a critical flyway for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Nearly two-thirds of the estuary's native wetlands have been altered, eliminated or impaired as a result of historic impacts of dredging, filling and waste disposal associated with industrial activities. The St. Louis River Restoration Initiative Program targets locations for restorations that will directly benefit species of greatest conservation need, threatened/endangered species, and targeted species by improving habitat quality and extent in strategic locations to maximize benefits to populations.
The Interstate Island restoration project directly targeted and benefited two threatened and endangered species by restoring and protecting nesting habitat for the Common Tern (threatened) and stopover habitat for Piping Plover (endangered).
Completed restoration at Perch Lake targets coastal marsh habitat which provides nursery habitat for species such as Muskellunge, Walleye, and attracts marsh birds such as rusty blackbirds, sora, and rails. A layer of sand and gravel in portions of the project specifically targets spawning centrarchids. The project design incorporated deeper habitat benefiting species like Northern Pike, providing cool refugia in the summer and overwintering habitat.
Completed restoration within the Kingsbury Bay/Creek watershed contributes towards the goal of reducing sediment delivery to Kingsbury Bay, protecting recently restored coastal marsh which provides nursery and spawning habitat for species such as Muskellunge and Walleye and supports Manoomin (wild rice). Habitat restoration within the coldwater stream supports Brook Trout and macroinvertebrates.
GLRI, NRDA and GLRI