Project Overview

This project aimed to restore floodplain access and increase in-stream fish and macroinvertebrate habitat along approximately 5,200 linear feet of Rice Creek, a designated trout stream in Fillmore County, MN. The work took place near County Road 6 and Jubilee Drive within a DNR Aquatic Management Area fishing easement.  

Habitat features included the installation of over 500-feet of toewood and several pool logs for overhead cover and forage opportunities for fish, while also providing habitat for macroinvertebrates that utilize woody material. Streambank narrowing was conducted 1,300 feet of overly-wide areas of the stream to increase baseflow velocities, thereby exposing coarse substrates that could be re-colonized by macroinvertebrates and benthic organisms. Approximately 6,025 linear feet of streambank grading was completed to re-establish bankfull benches, reconnecting the incised stream to its floodplain. Large boulders were used for boulder clusters and rock vanes to provide additional cover opportunities for trout. 

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