Location
City of Pine River, Minnesota
Overview
"With coordination from multiple stakeholders in the project, the rock riffle project overcame hurdles and accomplished each goal we set to achieve. This project impacted the community by improving the recreational area environment for residents to enjoy."
– Mike Hansen
Solutions
Sectors
The Pine River dam created a reservoir within Pine River including the 500-acre Norway Lake. TH 84, which was built on the dam embankment, included a concrete bridge to span the spillways of the dam. The dam was classified as high-hazard and was also a significant fish barrier. The primary goal of the project was to remove the dam and replace it with rock rapids to improve public safety, reduce flood risk, and reestablish aquatic organism connectivity.
In 2022, the dam was removed and replaced with a rock-arch rapids. Replacing the dam with a rock riffle enhanced fish passage, biological connectivity, habitat, safety, aesthetics, fishing, and recreational access to the river. The riffle pools and channels enhanced recreational opportunities for wading, fishing, paddling, and other water-based fun. This work restored fish passage and connectivity between the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and reconnected 134 lakes and 80 miles of river and stream corridors benefitting fish, mussels, and many game and non-game animal species.
Water levels will be similar to levels that would have resulted from operation of the gated spillways of the dam; however, the hazard and flood risk due to potential breaching of the dam during a flood is greatly reduced.
Awards
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Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association – 2022 Environmental Stewardship Honorable Mention
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Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers – 2022 Project of the Year
Named one of the very best workplaces in the State of Minnesota! We’re proud to rank in the Top 50 on the list, and even prouder that we were voted in by our own employees.