Restoring streams and water-related infrastructure
- New bridge benefits northeastern Minnesota’s Baptism River watershed (November 2024)
Work was completed on a new bridge south of Finland which opens up miles of trout habitat and preserves a trail connection where Hockamin Creek intersects with the CJ Ramstad ATV and Snowmobile Trail in northeastern Minnesota’s Finland State Forest. The crossing project is one of many projects in the Baptism River watershed which focus on providing connectivity to cold water habitat for brook trout and other cold water fish species.
Before the new bridge, culverts for the creek were too small to effectively manage high water conditions, resulting in flooding of the trail. During low water conditions, the culverts were elevated above the creek, acting as a fish barrier. This bridge will also improve public safety by allowing residents and emergency vehicles to travel in remote areas in and around the Finland State Forest.
Statewide, Get Out MORE funding for stream restoration projects such as this one will reconnect an estimated 156 miles of streams. Project benefits are not limited to the construction site. Projects provide upstream and downstream benefits to clean water, habitat improvement and climate resiliency, as well as enhanced recreational opportunities and safety upgrades.
- Importance and effectiveness of dam modification projects highlighted (August 2024)
The DNR held a news conference Thursday at the site of the Willow River Dam in Pine County. After a 2016 flood damaged the old 1940s dam, the DNR replaced it with a rock arch rapids dam. The DNR filled in the eroded river channel and constructed a series of rock arch weirs. This both restored lake levels and provided for fish passage, something the former dam had blocked. The rock arch rapids design also eliminated safety issues associated with the previous dam structure.
“The Willow River Dam project is a great example of how aging infrastructure can be turned into a modernized asset with enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation,” Willow River Mayor Brent Switzer said.
Funding five key areas
The historic, one-time Get Out MORE investments total $150 million and center on five key areas:
- Enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure ($60 million).
- Enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities ($35.4 million).
- Modernizing boating access ($35 million).
- Restoring streams and modernizing water-related infrastructure to support outdoor recreation ($10 million).
- Modernizing camping and related infrastructure ($9.5 million).
- Get Out MORE-funded stream restoration and water-related infrastructure modernization projects announced (January 2024)
Phase one includes $5.6 million for channel restoration, dam removal and modification, and culvert replacements for streams throughout Minnesota. This investment will reconnect an estimated 63 miles of streams and restore an estimated 43,000 feet of habitat.
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Updates made to the Ramstad Mooswalk trail bridge
What's the need
More intense rains combined with changes in land use cause more flooding and road washouts, degrade streambanks, and overwhelm water control structures. This impacts our fish, waterfowl and recreation opportunities.
What's the investment
This $10 million investment includes 10 dam removal/modification projects and five culvert replacements. View map.
- These projects will reconnect an estimated 156 miles of streams, enhance fish passage and support waterfowl production.
- Better fish passage supports new shore fishing access along rivers that may currently have no or limited designated access and enhances the fish populations at already established access sites.
What people are saying
DNR area fisheries supervisor TJ DeBates shares the impact of climate change on Minnesota’s streams and the importance of restoration work.