Long Meadow Lake Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

St. Paul District

Minnesota River, Miles 4 -10, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Congressional District: MN - 3

Partners

• USFWS
• MNDNR 

Description

Natural levees formed by the Minnesota River trap spring and stream flows to create marsh areas, but there are no controlled outlets to the river.  The existing outlets allow high water levels on the Minnesota River to back into the wetlands, depositing river sediments.  The natural levees are also overtopped by Minnesota River flood flows, allowing more sediment into the wetlands.  This process is reducing water quality and increasing the aging rates of the wetlands, substantially reducing the areas used by migrating birds for nesting, breeding, and feeding.

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 2340
• State(s) Covered: MN
• Land Ownership: Federal
• Management Agency: USFWS
• Management Authority: Refuge 

Features

• Install a water control structure to provide controlled outlet from Long Meadow Lake and to prevent the Minnesota River from backing into the lake.
• Old agricultural fields would be revegetated with trees. 

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report was completed in July 2004.
• Construction was initiated in October 2006 and completed in November 2006.