Planning for Restoration of the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities Christian Lenhart

Purpose of talk: 1 Importance of issue: The gorge and falls as Minnesota landmarks 2 History of alteration 3 Certain restoration actions are possible 4 Now is the time to plan for it

Ford Dam St. Anthony

Upper St. Anthony Falls

High gradient for Mississippi

Potential fish species benefiting from restored rapids in Mississippi

Potential fish and mussel species benefiting from rapids restoration Others- sturgeon & paddlefish Current species likely to benefit: walleye, smallmouth bass

Falls altered for saw mills

History: flour industry

River alteration for barges and hydropower: Ford Dam

Lower St. Anthony Dam-barge to Minneapolis

Before After

Times are changing: A new vision is needed Declining barge traffic, closure of upper harbor Economic benefits of barge traffic to Mnpls are questionable Conversion from industrial to commercial / condos High cost of lock & dam maintenance and repair in long term. Infrastructure decay New approaches for valuation of ecological services Potential benefits are high More parkland: Ft. Snelling example

What can be restored or enhanced? Improve fish passage, reduce fisheries impacts at Ford Dam Water level management over all 3 dams for water quality, habitat improvements and seasonal whitewater recreation Restore islands and floodplain habitats by use of dredge material and/or water level drawdown Improved public access Naturalize St. Anthony Falls to look like a waterfall again?

Historic islands were removed

Sample restoration project St.Paul Minneapolis Restoration components : island (new regional or state park) side/channel + rapids public access

Lower St. Anthony, February ‘08

Alternatives Army Corps alternatives in Environmental Management Plan for Pool One DNR, USFWS and others recommendations at Ford Dam (2004)

Benefits of restoration Ecological Restoration of a Minnesota natural landmark Improved habitat for fish, mussels, birds Fish passage and spawning grounds reestablished Improvements to water quality by flow level management ? Recreation and aesthetics Parkland created by floodplain / islands (100s of acres) in the city Aesthetic attraction of falls and rapids Whitewater recreation in densely populated area Improved access to rivers for recreation, viewing Rock features – caves/caverns exposed, access to side waterfalls

Economic Benefits  Riverfront development and enhanced property values  Supports conversion towards residential/ recreational – Above the Falls plan  Increased recreation/tourist traffic  Decreased tax dollars spent on maintaining locks

Gorge could be a premier urban whitewater recreation area

Recommendations Collect and synthesize existing information Assess feasibility of restoration options Account for full ecological costs Plan for future now

Proposed study Department of BioProducts and Biosystems Engineering proposal to collect and synthesize existing information and assess feasibililty of restoration options – John Nieber, myself, & others Partners: Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, MNDNR, Great River Greening, National Park Service (MNRRA), U of M – Pat Nunnally & Mississippi River Initiative