Did you ever see the log jams on the Rat Root River? These jams have caused streambank erosion and deterioration of fish spawning habitat, not to mention loss of navigation – find out how a continued partnership of local agencies hugely improved this situation.
The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club (RLSC), assisted by local Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, partnered with the Koochiching Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to address the increase in log jams along the Rat Root River as well as the decline in walleye spawning. Between 2011 and 2015, 70 jams were either completely removed or opened for fish passage and boat navigation, erosion control measures in high priority locations along the riverbanks were installed, and spawning rock riffles were installed in locations deemed in need of enhanced walleye habitat. Additional funding for the next three years will allow for similar work plus erosion control measures in a new stretch of the river.
http://koochichingswcd.org/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-cpl/