County Island before erosion control.

Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Brainerd Regional Center, (218) 828-2326

Rush Lake, located in Crow Wing County, had a problem. Rush Lake Association member Gerry Leinfelder recalls that it was six or seven years ago when Rod Nelson, then president of the Rush Lake Association, first considered the need to do something about serious erosion occurring on two of Rush Lake’s islands: County Island and the DNR Island. The islands were both losing considerable shoreline because their steep banks were slumping into Rush Lake. Not only was the effect unsightly, but the sedimentation from the erosion was creating a potential impact on fish spawning areas.

Several different methods of bank stabilization were attempted, such as anchoring logs to protect the “toe” of the bank at the water line from wave action and installing erosion control blankets. Tree seedlings and bare root stock were planted and the bank was seeded in the more upland areas. Some of the logs worked well and have continued to do their job, but the seeding and plant materials had varying success. Also, there was a lot more undercutting that needed to be addressed on both of the islands.

Erosion control in place.

In 2002, Gerry Leinfelder, a Whitefish Area Property Owners Association (WAPOA) member, took the initiative to write a Shoreland Habitat Grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The proposal was accepted and the project was awarded $45,840 plus a required match of $24,000. In an effort to make the best use of the grant funds, the Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, Crow Wing County Parks, Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Extension Service, and the Minnesota Joint Powers Board assisted in creating a site plan. The techniques included in the plan attempt to resolve each islands’ problems and demonstrate several methods and techniques used to control erosion and restore shoreland.

In fall of 2004, a pilot site was implemented to test initial methods and techniques and determine how long it will take to restore a larger site and how many people will be needed. WAPOA is calling for additional volunteer assistance on this interesting and ambitious project. If you want to learn more, contact project team members, Gerry Leinfelder, WAPOA; Scott Lucas, SWCD; or Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service. Updates will be posted periodically to this and other newsletters to keep our readers informed of progress.

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