Fairmont Chain of Lakes Habitat Restoration Plan, Phase 1
The Fairmont Chain of Lakes habitat restoration project converted almost 35 acres of existing undeveloped and row crop lands into prime habitat. The open water areas were designed to promote northern pike spawning areas to benefit that fish species within the Chain of Lakes. This was accomplished by connecting to the existing Dutch Creek channel that flows adjacent to the project and outlets into the downstream lakes. The restoration included native prairie plantings, removal of invasive species along the Dutch Creek corridor, and restoration of a highly eroded portion of the creek channel utilizing natural vegetation.
A consultant was hired to complete the final design after the city procured the grant funding. During design several partner agencies were consulted to ensure we met as many outcomes of those groups as were financially feasible. The consultant created the final plans and bids were requested. The low-bid contractor was hired to complete the grading and site establishment on the project. They began by excavating several thousand yards of material for the habitat basins. Much of this excavation was intended to be wasted on-site, but the city had another project that required fill so much of the excavated material was repurposed to a city lime pond closure project. This improved habitat included approximately 6 acres of newly created wetland and open water areas. The contractor then addressed a highly eroded bank of Dutch Creek adjacent to the project. This process involved excavation and installation of a significant toe-wood erosion control system. Following the establishment of the toe-wood, the contractor made the connection from Dutch Creek to the newly excavated habitat pond to supply water to the pond and allow fish passage in higher flows. Topsoil was spread back on the site and the subcontractor began establishing the site and installing trees, shrubs and plugs and 29 acres of native prairie plantings. The project included 42 trees, 135 shrubs, 500 live stakes, and 2000 herbaceous plugs. The restoration contractor has been maintaining the plantings through much of 2022. The project will be handed over to a restoration specialist to implement a 3-year vegetation management plan.
$1,390,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Fairmont to restore and enhance grassland, wetland, and stream habitats in the Dutch Creek watershed. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
This project was used to create open water/wetland spawning areas for the northern pike. The project will provide the largest, highest quality spawning habitat within the Fairmont Chain of Lakes Watershed. DNR fish surveys have shown very low counts of this top(apex) predator in the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes are typical Southern Minnesota lakes that struggle to maintain shoreline vegetation due to development, water clarity, and fluctuating water levels. This lack of appropriate vegetated/wetland areas limits the ability of the northern pike to naturally reproduce and has allowed the Invasive Carp and Yellow Bass populations to grow rapidly. The newly developed area was specifically designed to create habitat preferred by the pike species. In addition, restored floodplain wetlands and improved upland habitat will benefit Blanding?s Turtles, a State of Minnesota Threatened Species. While no Blanding?s Turtles have been identified at the Dutch Creek site, this species has been found on the north part of the lake chain habitat corridor and the south part of the lake chain habitat corridor. This site will provide suitable habitat for the introduction of listed plant species and has the potential to support species like the Monarch, pollinator species and other insects in need of habitat.
City of Fairmont