The summer of 2024 has been busy for Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers in the Driftless Area. Several projects were completed this summer and many more are in the works.
There was activity in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa this year, with work to remain underway until winter.
The most recently completed Wisconsin project was on Traverse Valley Creek, described in this separate article. Some of the Minnesota and Iowa projects are outlined below.
Mill Creek — A project on Mill Creek in Chatfield, Minn., restored habitat in Mill Creek along city and private property just above the confluence with the North Branch of the Root River.
This project extends earlier habitat improvement work by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota TU. The section covers nearly ½ mile of stream and includes wood, riffle and pool habitat.
The Perkins family told us the project is a tribute to honor the conservation ethos and charitable spirit of their husband and father, James Perkins, who revived the Chatfield Brass Band and formed the Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library, which you will pass if you access the south end of the project from Library Lane.
Mazeppa Creek—This nearly ½ mile restoration site in Wabasha County, Minn., included several rock weirs, many rootwads, minor channel realignment, and stabilization of an eroding bluff. The project site will include a bioengineering treatment in the riparian zone that will be completed by volunteers this fall and next spring.
North Bear Creek (above) —The first two phases have been completed on this project on Iowa’s most popular trout fishery has completed. Work on the third section will finish in early November.
In total, the restoration will improve habitat for more than 1.1 miles of stream while addressing eroding streambanks and replacing invasive species with native species in the riparian corridor.
The project received contributions from as far as Nebraska and as near as the Decorah hatchery, where youth-built bird and bat boxes are to be installed after the project is completed. Girl Scouts from the area hope to have some educational days at the project site next year.
Patterson Creek—This project in Iowa’s Allamakee County improved fish habitat, eroding streambanks and a stream crossing in a pasture setting along a popular fishing stretch.
The project was completed in September and we’re already talking with the landowner about the possibility of one or two more projects along his more than mile of stream.
While staying busy afield this season, we are also looking ahead, and our team has been busy this summer conducting site visits at over 25 prospective projects in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.