RiverFIRST / Scherer Site Discussions MPRB / TLS / KVA Meeting with DNR / USACE 30 November 2012
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GOAL + OBJECTIVE
The USGS Habitat Needs Assessment (HNA) summary concludes that habitats throughout all Mississippi River reaches are currently degraded and are expected to get worse in the years ahead.
ARMORED SHORELINE
POLLUTION
HISTORICAL RIVER RiverFIRST
BARGE TRAFFIC
A paradigm shift in our approach to urban waters is imperative if we expect to reverse this trend of environmental degradation. Furthermore, the USGS points out that habitat needs along the Mississippi River “are expected to nearly double by 2050 if no action is taken.”
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“ENVIRONMENTAL POOL PLANS”Prepared By: FISH AND WILDLIFE WORK GROUP : RIVER RESOURCES FORUM(USACE, MN DNR, IA DNR, WI DNR, US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICES, NPS)
ENVIRONMENTAL POOL PLAN : PAGE II
ISLAND CREATION IN POOL 3
“The Environmental Pool Plans establish desired habitat conditions and identify actions to reverse the trend of reduced ecological integrity. Implementation of the Environmental Pool Plans will begin the steps necessary to reach a more sustainable Mississippi River ecosystem.”
BENEFITS OF ISLAND CREATION- Improvements to terrestrial habitat- Restore native vegetation along stream banks- Revert river to pre-lock and dam aquatic habitat of the pools- Islands provide habitat for terrestrial species - Shorelines of islands provide nesting sites for aquatic species- Provide sheltered “beach” for public acces to river’s edge
DESIRED FUTURE HABITAT CONDITIONS- “Opportunities exist for improving aquatic habitat above St. Anthony
Falls by restoring historic rapids, improving connectivity of a small stream and side channel, and building a string of small islands
from Boom Island park upstream to the head of navigation.”- The adjacent graph shows that we are in a critical time period for action
STATE RULE 6115.0191 : Subpart 6
CURRENT RIVER CONDITION- Lack of Vegetative / Terestrial Habitat- Minimal Public access to River shore - Existing wetlands are becoming less productive due to sedimentation - Loss of islands caused water flow to become “sheet flow”
which reduce flow and diversity of aquatic habitat
Allows fill in a public water is allowed for fish and wildlife habitat improvement. The specific language of the subpart is:
Subp. 6. Fish and wildlife habitat. Filling to restore or improve fish and wildlife habitat, except for filling in designated trout streams, shall be permitted provided plans are submitted showing the nature and degree of habitat to be benefited, and the project will not create other adverse effects such as flooding, erosion, sedimentation, or navigational obstructions.
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RIVER HABITAT SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY
GREAT HERON ROOKERY
MISSISSIPPI RIVERGORGE WOODLANDS
NEW ROOKERYISLANDS / COLONIES
SCHERER PARK
LORING PARK
LAKE CALHOUN
LAKE HARRIET
LAKE OF THE ISLES
MISSING LINK
SCHERER PARK
NICOLLET ISLAND
LORING PARK
LOGAN PARK
FARVIEW PARK
ST ANTHONY PARK
BOTTINEAU FIELD
JIM LUPIENT WATER PARK
BOOM ISLAND PARK
0
0
1/4 mile
0.15 mile
1/2 mile
0.3 mile
1 mile
0.6 mile
MISSISSIPPI RIVER ISLANDSSCENIC NATURAL AREAS
MISSING LINK IN UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER HABITAT
FLOODPLAIN
SHORELAND
MPRB PARKS
HARD EDGE / RIPRAP CONDITION
WETLAND / EXISTING HABITAT
Source - Minneapolis Zoning Plates / Aerial Research
GRAND ROUNDS
URBAN CORE OPEN SPACE CORRIDOR
PROPOSED HABITAT NODES
ARMORED RIVERBANK EDGE / RIPRAP
EXISTING HABITAT
MIGRATORY FLYWAY
(Oak Forest, Lowland Hardwood Forest, Wet Meadow)
M W M O E c o l o g i c a l l y S i g n i f i c a n t A r e a sHennepin County Dept of Environmental Services
SCHERER PARK SITE CONNECTIVITY
PROPOSED WETLANDS
BASSETT CREEK MOUTH
CEDAR LAKE
NORTH MISSISSIPPI REGIONAL PARK
MARSHALL TERRACE PARK
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FLOODPLAIN
SHORELAND
MPRB PARKS
HARD EDGE / RIPRAP CONDITION
WETLAND / EXISTING HABITAT
Source - Minneapolis Zoning Plates / Aerial Research
EXISTING DEGRADED RIVER EDGE CONDITIONS
SCHERER PARK SITE
LOGAN PARK
BOOM ISLAND PARK
RIP RAP EDGE / SHEET PILING AT SCHERER SITE Lack of habitat formationDenies public access to river’s edgeBarrier to Interacting with river
ROAD / SHEET PILING WALL RIP RAP / OUTFALL PIPE Degraded habitat No water treatment prior to release
HANGING OUTFALLSRunoff / Sedimentation into river
Runoff / Sedimentation into river
NICOLLET ISLAND
ST ANTHONY PARK
BOTTINEAU FIELD
MARSHALL TERRACE PARK
GLUEK PARK
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Before 1892 - 1965 : HALL’S ISLAND INTACT
1938 Aerial 2010 Aerial
1966-2010 : SCHERER INDUSTRIAL USE PROPOSED PLAN
HISTORY OF SITE - AERIALS
Island Provides Backchannel HabitatWetland Habitat along Western BankAccess to River EdgeNarrower Navigation ChannelMigration Stopping Point along Mississippi Flyway
River WidenedSite PavedHeavy Industrial UseNo Access to River EdgeStormwater Runoff
Riprap Armored EdgesSheet PilesHarsh connection to River
Improve Biodiversity OpportunitiesCreate Softer Connection to WaterProvide Migratory Flyway Stopover within Urban CorridorMaintain Existing Navigation Channel
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SCHERER SITE-1938 HALL’S ISLAND LOCATION
Proposed ChannelMean Water 798’
Flooded Wetland1966-Present
Proposed BackchannelMean Water 798’
Proposed Shoreline (798’)
9’ Dredge Channel
Existing Shoreline (798’)
Historic Shoreline (1892-1964)
Protected Backchannel Habitat
HI
ST
OR
IC
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
HI
ST
OR
IC
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
NA
VI
GA
TI
ON
C
HA
NN
EL
PR
OP
OS
ED
H
AL
L’
S
IS
LA
ND
PR
OP
OS
ED
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
EX
IS
TI
NG
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
150 FT
L E G E N DHistoric / Existing / Proposed Shoreline
H A L L ’ S I S L A N D H I S T O R Y
Hall’s Island was the northenmost of a series of islands (including Nicollet Island, and Boom Island) which lined the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. Historic maps and city surveys locate the island dating back to the earliest reliable mapping in 1892.
The 3-acre island was the most expensive real-estate in Minneapolis. In 1963 the Island was sold to Scherer Brothers Lumber for $95,000.
By 1966 the lumber company had filled the backchannel.This provided unobstructed access to the main river navigation channel.
0 50’ 100’ 200’
00 50’50’ 100’100’ 200’200’
HALL’S ISLAND REVISIONS
Eliminate Introduction of New Upland HabitatWiden Mouth / Improve VelocityReduction of Sedimentation DepositionWiden BackchannelRemove PoolLimit Trail / Human Impact on IslandDo Not Affect Navigation Channel
Introduction of New Upland HabitatNarrow Backchannel MouthOpportunities for Sedimentation DepositionRecreational Swimming PoolHeavy Human Impacts on IslandSteep Banks / Hard EdgesDo Not Affect Navigation Channel
HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS
EX
IS
TI
NG
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
NA
VI
GA
TI
ON
C
HA
NN
EL
NA
VI
GA
TI
ON
C
HA
NN
EL
EX
IS
TI
NG
SH
OR
EL
IN
E
798’ : Mean Water 798’ : Mean Water
800’ 800’
802’ : High Water 802’ : High Water
804’ 804’
806’ 806’
808’ : 100yr Flood 808’ : 100yr Flood
810 810
815812’ 812’
814’ 814’
815’ 815’
EXISTING SHORELINE
EXISTING SHORELINE
WIDENED BACKCHANNEL
PEDESTRIAN TRAIL
SWIMMING POOL
PEDESTRIAN TRAIL
L E G E N DELEVATIONS
L E G E N DELEVATIONS
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL CURRENT PROPOSAL
810
8
FLOOD ANALYSIS798’ : Mean Water 802 ’ : High Water 808’ : 100yr Flood
9
808’
808’
808’
808’
Live Stake
Live Stake
Live Stake
0
00
4’
555000’
8’
100’
16’
200’
32’
Toe Splash
Fascine BundleBrush Mattress
Boulder
Fascine Bundle
802’
802’
802’
802’
798’
798’
798’
798’
CONDITION 1
CONDITION 2
CONDITION 3
CONDITION 4
Emergent VegetationArrowhead, Spike Rush, Burr Reed, Cup Plant, Sweet Flag, Blue Joint Grass
Live Stakes / Fascines / Brush Mattresses / Imbricated Boulders
0-2 FPS
4-9 FPS
3-5 FPS
6-8 FPS
Live Stakes
Live Stakes & Fascines
L E G E N DEdge Conditions
EDGE CONDITION TREATMENTSSHORELINE RESPONSE TO ALLOWABLE WATER VELOCITIES
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HABITAT CROSS SECTIONSCONTRIBUTE TO MORE DIVERSE VEGETATIVE ZONES ALONG WATER’S EDGE
FLOODPLAIN FOREST - ZONE A
MISSISSIPPIRIVER
FLOODPLAIN FOREST
XERIC PRAIRIE
MESIC PRAIRIE
WETPRAIRIE BACKCHANNEL
WET PRAIRIEBACKCHANNEL
HackberrySwamp White OakCatalpaCottonwoodKentucky Coffee Tree
Including:Snags for Woodpeckers / FlickersBrush piles for Prothonotary Warblers
JunegrassLittle BluestemSideoats and Blue GrammaCompass PlantPrairie Clovers
Indian Cord GrassCup PlantBig Bluestem
Joe Pye WeedCup PlantSwitch GrassPrairie Cord Grass
Joe Pye WeedCup PlantSwitch GrassPrairie Cord Grass
Established vegetation provides bank stability which alleviate the erosive stresses caused by river navigation and wave forces.
A multitude of rushes, sedges, and grasses popu-late this shallow water zone while providing ref-uge habitat for the river’s wildlife inhabitants. This backchannel habitat teams with insects, reptiles, and fish
Erosive waves and high water velocities are con-fined to the navigation channel. This protected shoreline has a gradual slope and allows humans and animals to interact with the water’s edge.
EMERGENT HABITAT - ZONE B
RIVER
TYPICAL SPECIES TYPICAL SPECIESTYPICAL SPECIES
ISLANDBACKCHANNEL
SCHERER PARK
WET PRAIRIE HABITAT - ZONE C
0 16’ 32’ 64’ 128’
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HABITAT ZONESVEGETATION DIVERSITY
2. Xeric Prairie
1. Floodplain Forest
Floodplain Forest
Floodplain Forest
Xeric Prarie
Wet Prarie
Deep-rooted Mesic Prarie
3. Wet Prairie
4. Deep-rooted Mesic Prairie
Kentucky Coffee Tree(Gymnocladus dioicus)
Swamp White Oak(Quercus bicolor)
Indian Cord Grass(Sorghastrum nutans)
Joe Pye Weed(Eutrochium)
Cup Plant(Silphium perfoliatum)
Cup Plant(Silphium perfoliatum)
Big Bluestem(Andropogon gerardii)
Switchgrass(Panicum virgatum)
Prairie Cord Grass(Spartina pectinata)
Little Bluestem(Schizachyrium scoparium)
Prairie Junegrass(Koeleria cristata)
Side Oats Grama(Bouteloua curtipendula)
Blue Gramma (Bouteloua gracilis)
Compass Plant(Silphium laciniatum)
Purple Prairie Clovers(Dalea purpurea)
Hackberry Tree(Celtis Ulmaceae)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) with snags for Woodpeckers
Brush Piles for Flickers and Prothonotary Warblers
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
p l y m o u t h b r i d g e
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BEAVEROTTER
BEAVEROTTER
BEAVEROTTER
BLANDING TURTLE
FISH / MUSSELS
FISH / MUSSELS
BIRDS
BIRDS
BIRDS
LANDINGGNBLANATURTLE TL
BEAVERERAVBOTTEREOTO
FISH / MUSSEFISSHH // MMUSSE
ISH / MUSSELSSSFIFIS
Cotton Wood with snags for Birds
BIRDSBB SSRDSR SSSS
BIRDSRDBB SSS
BIRDSRDSSSBI
Brush Piles and Standing Snags
Boulders along Main Channel /
Bluegill White Bass Fathead Minnow Walleye
2. Mammals / Reptiles
1. Birds
3. Macro Invertebrates / Insects / Pollinators
4. Fish
Osprey
Northern Pike Black Crappie
Otter(River and Back Channel)
Tiger Salamander(Back Channel/Sandy Beach)
Beaver(River and Back Channel)
Mayfly(Back Channel)
Dragon Fly(Back Channel)
Caddisfly(Back Channel)
Karner Blue Butterfly (Xeric Prairie)
Mason Bees(Throughout Site)
Honey Bees(Throughout Site)
Hover Bees Burrowing Bees
Blandings Turtle(Back Channel/Sandy Beach)
Warbles ThrushesBald Eagles
HABITAT ZONESISLAND HABITAT AND STRUCTURE
LANN
DSSSSSSSS
Blandings Turtle Beach
Root Wad
Root Wad
Root Wad
Lofting Logs for Blandings Turtle
Brush Piles and Standing Snags
1
1
2
2
2
AVEEAVEE2
2
4
4
BEAVERAVEBEOTTERTER
22
OTTEROTTOTTERTTR
Mussels
p l y m o u t h b r i d g e
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TOPOGRAPHIC COMPARISONSEXISTING VS. PROPOSED EDGE CONDITION
EXISTING EDGE CONDITION
EXISTING EDGE CONDITION
EXISTING EDGE CONDITION
808’
808’
808’
821’
816’
802’
802’
802’
798’
798’
798’
PROPOSED BACKCHANNEL
PROPOSED BACKCHANNEL
PROPOSED BACKCHANNEL
SECTION A - A’
A
B
C
B’
C’
A’
SECTION B - B’
SECTION C - C’
000
0
00
16’
16’
16’16
32’
32’
32’32
64444’
64’
64’64
128’
’128
28’122812
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M I S S I S S I P P I R I V E R
H A L L ’ S I S L A N D
B A C K C H A N N E L
SECTIONS
808’
808’809.5’
Bottom of Bridge
100 yr Flood
High Water
WILDLIFE CROSSING
Mean Water
Bottom of Bridge816’
808’
802’
802’
802’
798’
798’
798’
SECTION D - D’
SECTION E - E’
SECTION F - F’
DD’
E
F
F’
E’
LL
BIODIVERSITY CONCEPT DIAGRAMCREATE UNIQUE HABITAT ZONES ALONG ECOLOGICALLY IMPOVERISHED STRETCH OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER
E L E V A T E D
T R A I L
E M E R G E N T WE T L A N D S
F L O O D P L A I N F O R E S T
O S P R E Y N E S T
B L A N D I N G S
B E A C H
A QU
A T I C
S HE L F
SC
HE
RE
R B
AN
K
H A L L’ S I S L A N D S H O R E L I N E7 9 8 ’
7 9 8 ’
8 0 2 ’
7 9 8 ’
7 9 8 ’
BACKCHANNEL HABITAT
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
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