DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII

Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects were ranked
based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded five stream projects,
several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below.
Stewart River Restoration: The Stewart River channel restoration project used Natural Channel Design to restore
4,500 of premier trout stream in Northeastern Minnesota. Historic logging and a berm located in the floodplain had
significantly impacted the stream. The project was designed and implemented to create trout habitat including
deep pools, overhead cover and abundant spawning gravels. The project also removed the confines of the berm
and reconnected the stream with the floodplain. A 100 year flood affected the project just a few years after
implementation. Some damage was caused, but the objectives of the projects were still met once repairs were
made in 2019 using DNR FAW funding.
Mission Creek Restoration: DNR partnered with South St. Louis SWCD to compete this project on Mission Creek.
The Mission Creek channel restoration project restored 3150 feet of stream near Duluth, Minnesota. This stream
was historically altered and had an in-stream trash rack which affected fish passage and the stability of the stream.
The 2012 flood caused the stream to blowout around the trash rack resulting in a highly aggraded and unstable
stream. The trash rack was removed and the dimension, pattern and profile of the stream was restored.
Additionally, 8.4 miles of the stream was reconnected with the removal of the trash rack. During design, a historic
native burial site was discovered just downstream of the project site. This slowed down design as we needed to
sort through the risks to artifacts and find a tribal inspector to be onsite during construction. In the end we were
able to do the project with oversight from the tribe. No artifacts were discovered during construction. Construction
finished in June of 2020.
North Branch of Whitewater River Restoration: This channel restoration project took place within Whitewater
State Park in a location that previously had riprap installed on the bank for stabilization. This riprap failed at least
two times so a stream restoration was implemented to better address the issues causing the bank erosion. The
project utilized toe-wood sodmat to protect the bank and reshaped the channel dimension, pattern and profile
based on a nearby stable reference reach. During construction it was found that the bed and bank material were
particularly difficult for toe-wood sodmat installation. A unique technique using a trenching bucket was employed
to get the toe-wood sod mat installed correctly. Another impact of the bed and bank materials was that it was
difficult to get vegetation established. This project had to have additional work done after the original construction
was finished. Due to lack of vegetation, a large flood and being in a flashy watershed, some of the stream features
were impacted after the flood. Following the damages, the natural pattern that the river laid out was utilized to
improve the overall project. The project was replanted with additional straw protection. Since the adjustments
were made, the project has been stable and the vegetation is getting established.
Cottonwood River Restoration: DNR partnered with Redwood County to complete this restoration. This project
was originally funded to provide fish passage at three dams by modifying the dams to rock arch rapids structures.
However during the course of project development, at two of the dam sites, the grantee opted to install riffles along
the river corridor to slowly step the river down and to provide more habitat than originally anticipated. Two of the
dam sites now have 6-7 riffles and deep pool associated with those riffles. Fish use these pools as is evident by the
anglers seen at various riffles. Fish have also been seen passing through the riffles to get upstream. Construction of
this project started in February of 2020; that spring construction was put on hold due to high flows and the COVID
pandemic. However, as the flows were rising the contractor continued to work. This proved to be an issue when
the contractor was unable to finish installing that riffle. As a result, the unfinished structure caused some
significant erosion; this lead to additional work at that riffle site for the contractor once flows receded. The COVID-
19 pandemic significantly limited the ability of Department staff to provide construction oversight which would
likely have avoided the contractor working in rising flows. Construction of the projects were finished in fall of
2020. Overall the project accomplished the goals of fish passage and has the added benefit of additional habitat
along the river corridor.
Driftless Area Habitat Enhancement: The DNR's Fisheries Construction crew used this appropriation to purchase
rock and equipment rental to enhance 15 acres of stream habitat in the Driftless Area of Minnesota.
Shoreline protection accomplished with this appropriation consisted of two fee-title acquisitions, nine trout stream
easement acquisitions, and three Forest for the Future conservation easements. The two fee-title acquisitions
protected 52 acres and 4,825 feet of undeveloped shoreline . All nine trout stream easement acquisitions were in
the SE Forest Ecological Section. Two easement acquisitions were initiated in the Northern Forest Section, but
neither was successfully concluded. The nine trout stream easements protect a total of 132 acres and 31,150 feet of
stream. The Forest for the Future project prioritized protecting forests in high priority cisco lake watersheds. With
this project, one 32 acre easement was purchased in the Kabekona watershed (Hubbard County), 122 acres in the
Ten Mile lake watershed (Cass County), and 193 acres in the Pelican watershed in Crow Wing County. Two large
easement acquisitions were not completed when the landowners chose not to accept the DNR offer. These
acquisitions were scheduled to be completed close to the end of the appropriation availability and we did not have
enough time to move on to other parcels. Therefore, we did not meet goals for easement acquisition and funds
were returned to the Council.