Rush Lake Erosion Project.

Scott Lucas, Crow Wing SWCD, (218) 828-6197

The Rush Lake Island shoreline restoration project took a huge jump toward completion. The project, begun in earnest in September of 2004, still had a long way to go until late February, when Rob Abear of Pequot Sand and Gravel became involved. Abear met the challenges of getting the materials in place before the ice softened.

A grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources required that most of the stabilization of the shoreline be achieved through bioengineering techniques, such as careful placement of tree stumps, logs, and vegetation, and that rock riprap be held to a bare minimum. Project leaders Mary Blickenderfer and Eleanor Burkett of the University of Minnesota Extension Service previously determined that bioengineering techniques such as those listed above are preferred over hard armor techniques (rock riprap); and are critical to the educational aspect of this project. Not only is rock riprap unnatural looking, but it also doesn’t provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Time was a factor though as stumps, logs, and riprap needed to be hauled to the islands while the ice was able to withstand large equipment. Most of the logs were provided by Professional Lake Management and delivered to the island by Lakeside Lawn and Landscape Company. Abear and his crew hauled the stumps and rocks out to the island and began the process of reshaping the slope. The slope reshaping was extremely difficult, especially given the frozen ground conditions on the site. Abear, who had put new teeth on the bucket of his backhoe prior to beginning the project, had worn all of the teeth off again by the end of the day.

Once the bank had been properly shaped, the placement of the logs, rocks and stumps began. Abear and his crew carefully placed the materials along the bank in a manner consistent with the plans drawn up by North Central Joint Powers Board Engineer Chad Severts. Severts oversaw the project, with Wayne Mueller of DNR Fisheries dropping by to offer perspective and insight. By the time Abear had finished, roughly 600 feet of County Island had stabilization materials in place.

The remainder of the toe stabilization (base of the slope) on the island will occur later as the logs and stumps are anchored and slope stabilization begins. This will require several weeks of work and involve the efforts of agency personnel, as well as assistance from many lake association volunteers.

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