Project was part of the Get Out MORE initiative
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed a project to install three new arch culverts over water crossings along the Stoney River Grade State Forest Road in Finland State Forest. The road is now open to the public.
The efficient, cost-effective arch culverts replace undersized pipe culverts and are designed to withstand high water flow during flood events. Their design also maintains the stream bed, providing a natural passage for fish and other aquatic life during low or high water. In 2022 and 2024, heavy rainfall events damaged the previous crossings, creating prolonged road closures that affected recreational access to public land, local traffic, and access for emergency vehicles. These redesigned crossings will ensure that the road is safe and that the area, popular for activities like hunting and hiking, is accessible year-round.
Located near George H. Crosby Manitou and Tettegouche state parks, the nearly 312,000-acre Finland State Forest is a popular destination for trout fishing, camping, fall leaf viewing and other recreation opportunities. A particular highlight of this forest is the world-class grouse hunting that attracts hunters from throughout the Midwest. In recent years, the DNR completed other improvements on state forest roads within the state forest, including a bridge installation on the Beaver River Road and an arch culvert installation on the Sonju Lake Road.
The project was funded by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences). Through the Get Out MORE initiative, funded in 2023, the DNR and its partners are working to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whatever outdoor experience they choose. Projects are planned, underway or complete in 63 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, and include: improving accessibility at DNR-managed public lands throughout Minnesota; modernizing camping and related infrastructure; updating more than 100 state-managed public water access sites; investing in fish hatcheries; collaborating with local governments on shore fishing site improvements; and enhancing climate resiliency and improving stream ecology. Learn more about these on the DNR website.