Sand Hill River Fish Passage
This project restored fish passage from the Red River to 50 miles of quality upstream Lake Sturgeon and Walleye habitats in the Sand Hill River by modifying four structures and modifying the Sand Hill Lake Dam which currently block access. It also enhanced in stream habitat on the SH River.
This project partnered with the Sand Hill River Watershed District and Army Corps of Engineers to restore fish passage on the Sand Hill River. The in channel portion of the project was essentially completed in 2017. Initial fish surveys have already documented restored fish passage upstream of the modified dams. Both this grant and an ML 2014 grant to the MnDNR contributed to the local share of this project and were matched 3:1 by federal funds. Credits for habitat benefits were divided up between the two grants based on overall contribution to the project.
The SH Lake Dam project was completed in the spring of 2020. This barrier was a dam on Sand Hill Lake. The dam was removed and replaced with rock arch rapids to allow fish passage upstream into Sand Hill Lake.
In stream habitat enhancement was completed in 2019, and additional riffles will be completed using the awarded ML 2016 grant.
$990,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Sand Hill River Watershed District to restore fish habitat in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Restored 1,066 acres, and enhanced 1 acre for a total of 1,067 acres
USACE, Clean Water