Toe WMA Wetland Restoration

The Heron Lake Watershed District (HLWD), in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) and the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District, seek funding to complete a 62-acre wetland enhancement project within the Toe Wildlife Management Area (Toe WMA) in rural Jackson County, a property used predominantly for public hunting and other outdoor recreation. Currently, the network of agricultural tile drains flowing through the site prevents the wetland from maintaining an adequate pool, negatively impacting habitat for wildlife and water quality and exacerbating flooding for downstream communities. Furthermore, less than 1% of the larger Heron Lake watershed?s wetlands remain and this project will be an important step in further restoring this critical habitat and one of southwestern Minnesota?s few remaining publicly-owned and accessible prairie pothole wetlands. In addition, the proposed project would include the restoration of vital native prairie and pollinator buffer habitat.

The HLWD is currently partnering with landowners and other stakeholders to implement practices throughout the Heron Lake watershed to lessen the impact of flooding, improve water quality, enhance vegetative and wildlife habitat, and mitigate erosion, all key goals identified in the HLWD Watershed Management Plan. The Toe WMA consists of 240 acres and is located within the Judicial Ditch No. 19 (JD19) system, which flows to Heron Lake and then into the West Fork Des Moines River (WFDMR). The improvements outlined below will not only benefit habitat for species such as waterfowl, ring-necked pheasants, and monarchs, but also provide water quality benefits for fish and other wildlife dependent on Heron Lake and the WFDMR.