The recently completed dam in Crosslake replaces a leaky structure that blocked the passage of fish and caused 50 years of headaches due to continuous maintenance. It took nearly seven years to complete the project after a study was first initiated.
RELATED: Replacement of troublesome, leaky rock dam to begin soon
“It acts the same as one single rock structure that holds back water,” said Tim Bray, county engineer, at the Tuesday, April 28, county board meeting. “The important part was that it allows fish to move and migrate up and down the Pine River. The old structure that we saw there was a barrier. And that’s really where we needed to partner with soil and water, and get their guidance on that, and actually they took the lead.”
Using heavy equipment, workers with Minnesota Native Landscapes construct temporary structures on the Pine River stream bed Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the site of the old Crosslake Rock Dam. Funding for this project was provided in part by the Clean Water Land Legacy Amendment through the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and Minnesota State Legislature. Partners include Pine Lake Association, Crow Wing County Highway Department, city of Crosslake, DNR, Crosslake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Technical Service Area 8 engineering. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
The project was backed in part by a $1.2 million grant from the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, sought by SWCD. Built in 1970 and owned by the county, the previous rock dam required a large number of repairs over the years and was in fragile condition, nearing the end of its useful life.
The dam was also a threat to the health and diversity of aquatic organisms and migratory fish in the river, lake and upstream waters, according to the SWCD. Among the fish species affected by the dam are three considered at risk by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: the greater redhorse, pugnose shiner and least darter.
RELATED: Remove and replace - Problematic Pine River rock dam on its way out
Replacing the aging rock dam is a series of five rock weirs, coaxing the water to flow on a gradual downward slope toward the narrowing banks of the tributary and creating deep pools. The weir arrangement is called an arch riffle structure and uses various sizes of boulders, fabric and sediment to minimize water seepage.
The matter was originally on the board’s consent agenda, typically reserved for non-controversial items and passed with one motion. Chairman Paul Koering, however, asked it be pulled and considered separately so he could receive further explanation.
“It’s a nice letter, but I just don’t want us to — if we’re going to be doing a lot of these, I think they just become meaningless,” Koering said.
Commissioner Bill Brekken, who represented the district in which the new dam is located, said he thought the letter was a symbol of a long and fruitful partnership with Crow Wing SWCD.
A Minnesota Native Landscapes backhoe is positioned on a bed of rocks at the site of the Crosslake Rock Dam Feb. 5, 2020. The dam is being replaced with a structure that is more habitat friendly. Five rock weirs spaced about 40 feet apart along 200 feet of the stream channel will replace the dam. The series of riffles and pools is expected to restore natural flows, spawning habitat and in-stream cycling. Collectively, the access to habitat needed to reach reproductive age will benefit walleye, smallmouth bass, bait fish and mussels, according to Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, and benefits will also extend to anglers and paddlers. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
“I think that this is a letter of recognition that shows cooperation with the Crow Wing soil and water and the highway department,” Brekken said. “Working with Crow Wing soil and water, they were able to get a project going and bring in another ($1.2 million) to get this project. … It’s really showing the strong partnership we have with Crow Wing soil and water, the benefits they bring to this.”
Melissa Barrick, SWCD district manager, agreed the project offered a great partnership opportunity.
“One of the lake association board members … went to the rock dam for the first time and he was so taken back by the beauty of this new structure. It’s changed the entire feel of that area,” Barrick said. “And so I really do think this is going to provide that barrier that we needed as well as provide that fish habitat, and we’re just really grateful for the opportunity to work with you guys. This was a long process, lots of hoops to work with. And this was a great partnership.”
The Pine River flows Wednesday, Feb. 5, below the construction project at the Crosslake Rock Dam. The 50-year old dam is being replaced with a habitat friendly structure that will help aquatic life rebound in the river. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
The Crow Wing County Highway Department will maintain the new dam. The dam will be monitored by Crow Wing SWCD to ensure it is functioning as designed and is stable and effective. Significant long-term maintenance costs are not expected because it follows natural channel design principles, which create self-sustaining habitat conditions.
Any maintenance costs will be covered by the Big Pine Lake Subordinate Services District fund administered by the county. Nearly 100 riparian landowners on Big Pine Lake are assessed $200 annually per property.
In other business, the county board:
Approved a budget amendment for $50,000 to purchase new tablets for assessing staff in land services.
Entered an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation concerning the installation of street lights at the intersection of Highway 210 and County Highway 12, otherwise known as the Deerwood Shortcut. The installation is a safety mitigation project with the goal of reducing serious crashes at the intersection. MnDOT is funding the design and installation, with the county responsible for ownership and ongoing maintenance and power costs.
Agreed to terms of a grant from the Local Road Improvement Program to cover the costs of reconstruction of County Road 145 between Poualack and Veterans streets in Jenkins. The grant will fund 100% of construction costs with the exception of overruns. The county is responsible for costs associated with project development and engineering. The grant amount is $451,401.03, the lowest bid.
Approved a new tobacco license for T&B Rustic Waters, doing business as Garrison Family Foods in the city of Garrison.
Accepted a $150 donation from Nisswa Automotive to the Crow Wing County Mounted Patrol.
Heard letters from residents George Burton and Jeff Czeczok during the open forum portion of the meeting. Burton criticized extending the local state of emergency and Czeczok proposed the county should record — and make those recordings available to the public — its personnel and budget committee meetings.
Approved the promotion of Alisa Alderson to claims/collections specialist in community services. Replacement staffing for a financial worker due to the promotion was also approved.
Approved the hiring of Darlla Hurrle and Tyler Winkels as corrections officers in the jail.
CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/DispatchChelsey.
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