Trout Unlimited Seeks Volunteers to Participate in Restoration Project on Hay Creek

Contact:   Jeff Hastings: 608-606-4158

Trout Unlimited Seeks Volunteers to Participate in Restoration Project on Hay Creek

Red Wing, MN— Trout Unlimited’s (TU) Twin Cities and Hiawatha chapters in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are seeking volunteers to work on a restoration project on Hay Creek.

Volunteers will be needed on August 16, 17, 23 and 24 to assist in making habitat improvements to the stream. Volunteers will assist in the installation of wooden structures that provide cover for trout and help seed and mulch areas alongside of the stream.

Located just south of Red Wing, Hay Creek is a 15-mile long stream that flows into the Mississippi River. This stream bank stabilization and habitat project will include the installation of LUNKERS, skyhooks, vortex weirs and other improvements.

The Hay Creek project is one of several TU restoration projects in southeast Minnesota this year and is a restoration project on private land with public access.  The project received partial funding from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (LCCMR).  Additional funding came from the Twin Cities, Kiap-TU-Wish and Hiawatha TU chapters, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.

“The Hay Creek restoration project is a model for other landowners and other communities. By working together with private property owners, stream improvements can be made that benefit everyone,” said Jeff Hastings, Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Project Manager.

Stream restoration improves the value and utility of riparian areas by securing eroding stream banks and creating beneficial habitat for fish and wildlife. 
 
Hay Creek is part of the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota, an area that is considered by many to be a national treasure with its unique limestone formations, springs and small trout streams.   Bypassed by the last glacier, the region lies within the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.  Land use practices in the 1800s and early 1900s led to wide scale erosion, flooding and the altering of its streams and valleys.  Though conditions have improved, impacts from past damage continue today in many forms, especially on the streams and rivers in the region.

Trout Unlimited and its partners are leading a focused regional effort to restore streams, rivers and upland habitat in the Driftless Area. 

Volunteers should meet at the site at 8:15 a.m. each day and should bring waders and gloves. Lunch will be provided for volunteers. To register, contact Jeff Hastings at 608- 606-4158 or Marty Steitz at marty@twincitiestu.org

Landowners interested in opportunities for stream restoration and other stream improvements on their land should contact Jeff Hastings.

Directions:  Meet at the Hay Creek RV Park on Hwy 58 at 8:15 a.m.  Hay Creek (Dressens) is located approximately 6.5 miles south of Red Wing, MN on Hwy 58. For those not able to meet at 8:15, travel south of Red Wing on Highway 58 for approximately seven miles to 325th St.  Head West on 325th St. for approximately two miles to the sign for the project.

Date: 8/1/2008