FINLAND — Work is complete on a new bridge south of Finland that opens up miles of trout habitat and preserves a trail connection where Hockamin Creek intersects with the CJ Ramstad ATV and Snowmobile Trail in northeastern Minnesota’s Finland State Forest.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, the project is one of many in the Baptism River watershed focused on connecting cold-water habitats for brook trout and other cold-water fish species.
Before the bridge’s installation, culverts for the creek were too small to effectively manage high water conditions, resulting in flooding of the trail.
During low water conditions, the culverts were elevated above the creek, acting as a fish barrier. Weather is typically hot during times of low water, and trout need to migrate to deeper, cooler pools to survive.
"As recently as five years ago, seven undersized culverts fragmented Hockamin Creek, making it difficult if not impossible for fish to pass," said Dean Paron, stream habitat supervisor, in a news release. "We're excited to get this completed and remove the last barrier along the main creek."
Part of the funding for the project came from the state’s Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative.
Statewide, the funding will support the restoration of an estimated 156 miles of streams.
"Climate change is driving an increase in extreme precipitation and flood events, which places more pressure on water-related infrastructure," said Sarah Strommen, DNR commissioner, in the release.
"The water infrastructure projects included in Get Out MORE funding will modernize outdoor recreational experiences while making these areas more resilient to climate change and enhancing aquatic habitat."
Officials say that in addition to fish passage, this and other nearby culvert replacements are improving public safety.
Flooding can damage and force the closure of roads and trails, as happened during flooding in 2022 and earlier this year. With roads closed, residents and emergency vehicles traveling south of the Finland area had to take long detours of as much as 20 miles.
The DNR worked with Trout Unlimited, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on the project, collaborating to obtain funding, design the crossing and oversee construction. The bridge had to support snowmobile groomers and logging trucks.
The Nature Conservancy also planted tree species along Hockamin Creek that will survive higher temperatures brought on by climate change. Trees shade snowpack, helping it last longer in the spring and keeping stream temperatures cooler in the summer.
"I think we're making a landscape-level difference," Paron said.
"Climate change is a huge issue. But I think we've done some pretty good work that will be beneficial well into the future, not just for brook trout but for the streams themselves."
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