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Eagle Lake Shoreline Erosion Project
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(above) Eagle Lake shoreline erosion in 2003
shoreline erosion treatment completed, bioengineering used, native grasses
and shrubs planted, erosion blanket, rock at toe of slope, fence to keep
public off steep bank, and new steps to keep visitors off the bank and
allow beach access
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The NRCS Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Bismarck, North Dakota; the
WesMin Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D – oldest RC&D in the U.S.
); along with many volunteers and sponsors teamed-up to stop shoreline erosion
on Eagle Lake in the City of Frazee, Minnesota. The City of Frazee had no funds
to tackle the erosion problem and was considering closing or selling the Park –
the only recreational access to Eagle Lake.
Over the past 50 years, the
Bismarck Plant
Materials Center has provided plant solutions for the diverse
landscapes in North Dakota, South Dakota and northern Minnesota. The
Center has released over 40 improved conservation plants including
varieties of blue grama, buffalograss, western wheatgrass, purple prairie
clover, narrow-leaved coneflower, stiff sunflower and silver buffaloberry.
The Center offers technical assistance for native landscaping, windbreaks,
re-vegetating saline-alkaline soils, improving productivity of range and
pasture lands, enhancing wildlife habitat and wetlands, and enhancing
native prairie ecosystems. |
Starting in 2003, the partners began Phase I of the project by developing a
bioengineering plan using conservation plantings to hold
soil in place. WesMin RC&D secured donations of materials, recruited volunteers,
and worked with the Bismarck PMC to get various native plant seeds to evaluate
for erosion control. Grants were written, a budget was developed, and a Clay
County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor was able to get the West
Central Joint Powers Board to help survey and design the project. The area was
shaped, rock placed at the toe of the slope, top soil spread, native seed
planted, erosion blanket staked to the slope, and fencing and steps completed.
Phase II of the project was completed this year after funds were raised and a
new partnership forged with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources who
provided concrete planks for the boat ramp repair.
Your contact is Julie MacSwain, NRCS
public affairs specialist, at 651-602-7859.
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