DU will acquire fee title land from willing sellers on unprotected shoreline adjacent to shallow lakes of critical importance to ducks and other migratory birds in Murray, Lincoln, and Le Sueur , Minnesota. Each shallow lake identified is actively managed (via water control structures) or soon to be managed (planned DU structure) by the Minnesota DNR for waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife. Through fee acquisition, DU will permanently protect 100 acres of uplands and small wetlands adjacent to these basins.
Funding through this appropriation enhanced 4,745 acres of wetland habitat. Four wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,020 acres and and another project restored 50 acres. Wetland management actions (wild rice seeding, a significant drawdown, and a major large prescribed burn) enhanced 1,997 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,678 wetland acres through work on prescribed burns, drawdowns, herbicide applications, and removal of woody vegetation.
Ducks Unlimited spent 98% of this ML2018 OHF appropriation and completed the fee-title purchase of four land parcels totaling 607 acres for MNDNR, exceeding our 550-acre grant goals as follows: 233-acre Steinke Tract on the north side of 5,000-acre Marsh Lake on Lac Qui Parle WMA in Big Stone County; 64-acre Erickson Tract on Whitefield WMA in Kandiyohi County; 151-acre Kramer/Tenhassen Farms Tract on Seymour Lake WMA in Martin County; and 159-acre Stoderl Tract to create the new Stoderl Slough WMA in Murray County.
The Phase VII Habitat Restoration Program included an Orr Wetland Restoration, a Belshan Property Targeted Habitat Acquisition Project, and a Shell Rock River Streambank Restoration Project. As a result, 152 acres of habitat and wetlands were protected, enhanced or restored.
This project will complete an extension of the Shell Rock River Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model application through the year 2018. Compliance scenarios will be executed to address potential expansion of discharges from the Albert Lea Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
This project is for surface water assessment in the Shell Rock and Winnebago River Watershed including four stream sites and two lake sites. Waters of concern include Lime creek, Bancroft creek, Goose creek, a tributary to Fountain Lake, Albert Lea Lake and State Line Lake. The outcomes includes establishing baseline data for the associated sample site.
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County used the funds to purchase 1223 linear feet of V-GRIP™ baked enamel on steel shelving to store their growing collection of archival materials. This project will have lasting implications for the professional care of the historical record of Clay County for many years to come.
This project will conduct the second round of Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) for the Mississippi River St. Cloud watershed. Partnering organizations intend to complete sampling of lakes and streams following the protocols and guidance set forth by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Watershed partners include Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Clearwater Watershed District, Sherburne SWCD, Stearns SWCD, Stearns County staff, and Wright SWCD.
Sherburne County's Local Water Management Plan identifies eutrophication of lakes (heavy algae blooms) caused by excess phosphorus, loss of aquatic vegation, and loss of riparian vegetation. Removal of natural vegetation near the waters edge in developed and agricultural areas has caused loss of fish and wildlife habitat, increased runoff, and allowed bank erosion. The District will address sources of phosphorus and sediment for three important surface waters in the County. In all, phosphorus will be reduced by 355 pounds and sediment will be reduced by 400 tons per year.
The goal of the project is the reduction of nitrates in the groundwater by promoting and implementing best management practices and alternative management tools in the priority areas of Sherburne County. Practices included in the application are: Cover crops, irrigation water management , and nutrient management. Additional incentives included are for the Conservation Reserve Program. District Staff will also plant at least one acre of demonstration plots which will be highlighted at an annual field day.
Shingle Creek in suburban Hennepin County has experienced significant changes since its days as a narrow, meandering prairie stream. Nearly 100 years ago much of the stream was straightened and dredged to provide better drainage for agriculture. As agriculture gave way to urban and suburban development, Shingle Creek was widened and dredged again to more efficiently convey stormwater to the Mississippi River. Urbanization has resulted in high levels of chloride in the stream from road salt and not enough dissolved oxygen to sustain aquatic life.
develop Park ID entrance signs at Regional Parks and Trails consisting of Design/Engineering, and phased construction of Park ID signs consisting of demolition, grading, landscaping, utilities, lighting, sidewalk, bituminous paving, curb and gutter, fencing, site equipment, amenities, and signs.
At Lilydale Regional Park, phased implementation of adopted master plan focused on priority site work modifications necessary for future road and picnic shelter: site clearing, earthwork including rubble relocation, cut, fill, grading, technical assistance investigating possible contaminate cleanup and landscape restoration necessary for future middle section (Pickerel Lake Area) road re-alignment and site prep for picnic shelter/restroom facility.
The Six Lakes subwatershed analysis will utilize previously completed watershed modeling to conduct subwatershed analyses for six high priority lakes that are closest to meeting state water quality standards or require protection due to high public use and declining water quality trends. This project will develop a long list of cost benefit ranked water quality best management practices based on concept design.
The Six Mile Creek Halsted Bay (SMCHB) Habitat Restoration program restored 2,488 acres of deep and shallow lake habitat by implementing the state's most ambitious program to manage common carp below the threshold where they damage lake ecosystems with three primary tactics:
The Greater Blue Earth River Basin is a large area within the Watonwan, Le Sueur, and Blue Earth River watersheds. Recent research by University of Minnesota, the National Center for Earth Dynamics, and others has found this basin to be the largest contributor of sediment to Lake Pepin.
