Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District  

        1016 5th St. SE  ·  Milaca, MN 56353         

 Shoreline Restoration on the West Branch of the Rum River accomplished with help from a Clean Water Fund Grant and the Minnesota and Iowa Conservation Corps                       

This summer the Mille Lacs SWCD worked with a local landowner to address severe erosion on the bank of the West Branch of the Rum River. Mowed turf grass at the top of the bank lacked the root structure necessary to hold the sandy bank together. The solution was to slope the bank, built terraces into the bank and cable a layered tree/shrub revetment at the toe where the river and land come together.  Willow wattles were installed on the first bench of the terrace and the entire surface was seeded with native grass and flowers, covered with erosion control fabric and then planted with 6,400 native plants and 325 native shrubs. This fall, dormant willow stakes will be installed just behind the tree/shrub revetment. A native plant buffer that slopes away from the shoreline was installed in place of the turf grass. Native plant roots that can reach 15 feet in length will now hold the sandy bank in place.

  Fence posts were driven down deep into the bank, up-rooted trees were cabled to the fence posts and brush and soil were layered and packed down to create a revetment that will hold the toe of the bank in place. Terraces were constructed, seeded with native grass and flowers and covered with erosion control fabric.

A workshop on shoreline restorations with hands-on experience at the project site was held for local Master Gardeners, area SWCD and NRCS staff and the visiting Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa youth work crew. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Karen Terry facilitated the workshop and taught the attendees how to construct and install willow wattles. The CCMI crew spent the rest of the week planting 6,400 native plants and 325 native shrubs. Thank you to Pat, Edgar, Mai, Lucas, Marques, Ashley, Ryley and Chelsey!           

It is the Mission of the Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District to Assist Area People with Soil and Water Resource Management  

Telephone 320-983-2160   Fax 320-983-2107  

Address: 1016 5th St. SE  Milaca, MN 56353

Email: susan.shaw@mn.nacdnet.net

Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer