Watershed District of the Year award highlights conservation effectiveness
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has presented its Watershed District of the Year award to the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District. DNR Conservation Assistance and Regulation Section Manager Randall Doneen presented the award at the Minnesota Watersheds annual conference in December.
“The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District has been instrumental in the rock arch rapids project at Calhoun Lake near Spicer,” Doneen said. “Without them, the work to modify two aging structures that control the water levels of Calhoun Lake and Green Lake might not have been possible.”
The watershed district worked with the DNR, contractors and others on modifications including a modern bridge with a pedestrian walkway — enhancing safety, connectivity and habitat quality along the Middle Fork Crow River.
The rock arch rapids will maintain necessary court-ordered water elevations while reestablishing ecological connectivity between the lakes, benefiting fish passage and habitat quality. A rock arch rapids uses stone or boulders in descending rows similar to natural river conditions.
The project is supported by $2 million in secured funding from multiple sources. This includes $1.425 million from the DNR’s Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative and almost $600,000 in additional state bonding funds.
Doneen also noted the importance of the work done by watershed districts across the state and the value of their ongoing collaboration with the DNR and many others.