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Lake Superior South Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report
Summary Monitoring and Assessment Lake Superior-South Watershed Why is it The undeveloped nature of the Lake Superior-South Watershed, along Minnesota’s North Shore within the Lake Superior Basin, is undoubtedly a key reason for the high important? water quality found in most parts of the watershed. This watershed covers 624 square miles of St. Louis and Lake counties, with nearly half of the land under state ownership (42%). Almost 90% is forested. The watershed is home to several small cities and supports diverse species of wildlife and fish populations. It contains 1,067 miles of streams of which 800 are designated as coldwater. Its immaculate waters produce some of the state’s highest-quality stream trout fisheries. The watershed is a valuable resource for drinking water, habitat for aquatic life, recreational opportunities and timber production. Key issues Overall, water quality conditions are good and can be attributed to the forest and wetlands that dominate the watershed’s land cover. Many stream segments have exceptional biological, chemical, and physical characteristics and should be considered for additional protections to preserve their high quality. The top five stream resources include: McCarthy Creek, Unnamed Creek (West Branch Little Knife River), Gooseberry River, Stewart River and Captain Jacobson Creek. Problem areas do occur but are typically limited to the lower reaches of streams where stressors from land use practices may accumulate. Impairments are likely a function of both natural and human-caused stressors. Historical and recent forest cover changes, along with urban/industrial development, draining of wetlands and damming of streams are likely stressors affecting biological communities within the watershed. -
What the “Trail Eyes” Pros Taught Us About the SHT P H
A publication oF the Superior Hiking TrAil AssoCiation SUmmEr 2019 What the “Trail Eyes” Pros Taught Us About the SHT P H o im Malzhan iS the trail operations director T o for our sister trail organization the ice Age B y Fr Trail Alliance in Wisconsin. Doing business as esh T “Trail Eyes,” Tim was one of four entities the SHTA Tr hired in the fall of 2018 to evaluate and recom- ac mend renewal strategies for what we have dubbed k S mE D “The Big Bad Five,” those sections of the SHT most damaged from heavy use and old age (or both). i A Though all four evaluators—malzhan, Critical Connections Ecological Services (Jason and Amy Husveth), the north Country Trail Association, and (Continued on page 2) What the “Trail Eyes” Taught Us About the SHT (continued from cover) Great Lakes Trail Builders (Wil- lie Bittner)—did what we asked (provide specific prescriptions for the Big Bad Five), their ex- pert observations gave us much more: they shed light on the en- tire Superior Hiking Trail. In other words, what they saw on the Split Rock River loop, or the sections from Britton Peak to Oberg Mountain and Oberg to the Lutsen ski complex, or the proposed reroute of the SHT north of Gooseberry Falls State Park, were microcosms of bigger, more systemic issues with the SHT. ❚ “keep people on the Trail and water off of it.” This suc- cinct wisdom comes from Matt no bridge is not the only problem at the Split rock river loop. -
Boarder Route Trail (BRT) BOARDER ROUTE TRAIL BRT Spurs Superior Hiking Trail !9 Campgrounds !I Parking
Boarder Route Trail (BRT) BOARDER ROUTE TRAIL BRT Spurs Superior Hiking Trail !9 Campgrounds !i Parking Rose Lake East South Lake Clearwater Lake West Trailhead Crab Lake Topper Lake Gogebic Lake Pine Ridge Loon Lake Pine Lake Loon Lake Landing Clearwater Road McFarland Lake Crab Lake Trailhead South Lake Trailhead Portage Brook Otter Lake Trailhead East Trailhead Otter Lake 0 15 30 60 90 120 Miles ´ The Border Route Trail is a 65-mile long hiking trail that crosses the The Border Route Trail is a rugged Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the far northeast wilderness hiking trail that follows corner of Minnesota (Arrowhead) and follows the international border ridge-lines and the top of high cliffs between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. It connects with the Superior wherever feasible. Therefore, hiking Hiking Trail on its eastern terminus and with the Kekekabic Trail on its the trail offers expansive views across western end at the Gunflint Trail (Cook Cty. Road 12). The closest towns the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in are Grand Marais (beginning of Gunflint Trail, County Rd 12) and Hovland Minnesota and Quetico Provincal Park (beginning of Arrowhead Trail, County Road 16). In addition to the in Canada. eastern and western termini, the Border Route Trail can be accessed through several spur and connecting trails, allowing for hiking trips ranging from short day-hikes to multiday backpacking expeditions. http://www.borderroutetrail.org/ Sources: Boarder Route Trail Association, Esri, MN DNR, BWCA photos. -
2019 Federal Recreational Trail Grant Awards
FEDERAL RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROGRAM 2019 Funded Grants Project # Applicant Organization Project Title Project Description Type of Use Total Project Cost Award Amount To purchase groom tracks; LTB maintains 52 miles of rough 0001-19-2C Cook County Tracks for groomers terrain with multiple access points to the State trail and Motorized $26,487.84 $19,865.88 businesses for lodging, food, and fuel. To purchase one snowmobile with light bar, bumper, winch, 0004-19-2C Town of Fredenberg Arctic Cat Bearcat Purchase and rear plate to be used to perform snowmobile trail Motorized $15,299.00 $11,474.25 maintenance. Josephine Nunn Trail Reconstruction To reclaim and reconstruct a 10' wide trail, to replace existing, 0006-19-3B City of Champlin Non-motorized $87,500.00 $63,000.00 Project poor condition 25-year old asphalt trail. To purchase equipment to maintain trails and pack trails for 0007-19-2A Itasca County Maintenance equipment Motorized $25,527.41 $19,145.56 winter riding To purchase equipment for grooming early season, 120 miles 0009-19-1C Lake of the Woods County Lightweight Snowmobile Trail Groomer Motorized $35,620.00 $26,715.00 of wooded and cross-country ski trails Trail & Campground Improvement & To help maintain and improve trails and campgrounds in parks 0011-19-S Minnesota Trail Riders Association Joint $46,000.00 $34,500.00 Maintenance and forests for all users. Cross Country Ski Trail Grooming To purchase equipment to groom the four GIA ski trails with 0012-19-1A Cass County Non-motorized $35,304.00 $26,478.00 Equipment over 63km -
Annual Report 2019
2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to The North Country Trail Association WELCOME TO THE North Country Trail Association The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) is the longest hiking path in America’s National Trails System stretching more than 4,600 miles across eight states. In 1981, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) was incorporated as the official ‘friends’ organization of the Trail. Working alongside the National Park Service the Association is the Trail’s steward, providing experiences that celebrate nature, promote physical health and build community connections. Today, we are thousands strong. We are a united community of individuals and partners who embrace the spirit, peace, and beauty found along the Trail. TOGETHER WE... Hike it Build it Love It Photo: John Day MISSION OUR COMMUNITY’S CORE VALUES The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, • Accountability We take ownership and responsibility for protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic our actions, policies and decisions. We engage in wise Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of stewardship of public and private resources. the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers • Collaboration We value the spirit of cooperation between and partners. staff, volunteers, all partners and landowners and are committed to building and maintaining this culture of VISION collaboration. Service is the backbone of our organization. Our vision for the North Country Trail is that of the premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience • Excellence We strive for exceptional quality and safety, for hikers and backpackers in a permanently protected both in the work we do in building and maintaining the Trail corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse and in the experiences of the users of this world-class trail. -
Map 2, Lake Superior State Water Trail from Knife River to Split Rock
ROUTE DESCRIPTION - River miles 26 to 60 (34 miles) (0.0 at Minnesota Entrance – Duluth Lift Bridge). 48.0 Private resort. [47° 07.135' N / 91° 30.265' W] 57.7 Little Two Harbors at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Access to park and lighthouse, a MAP 2 - Knife River to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 51.0 Gooseberry Falls State Park and Gooseberry Minnesota Historic Site. Trailer access, parking, River. Carry-in access, parking, campground, 2 campground, picnic area and trails. 26.5 Knife River Marina. Access at launch area. watercraft campsites (available on a first-come, [47° 11.865' N / 91° 22.620' W] Parking, toilets. [46° 56.705' N / 91° 46.950' W] first-served basis), picnic area and trails. [47° 08.560' N / 91° 27.500' W] 59.0 Gold Rock Point. Wreck of the Madeira, driven 26.6 Knife River Beach. Carry-in access, rest area, ashore in 1905, lies scattered on the bottom in parking, toilet. Sand and pebble beach. 53.0 Thompson Beach. Four watercraft campsites 10 to 100' of water with portions clearly visible [46° 56.785' N / 91° 46.845' W] and rest area, toilet. No fires. First-come, in calm water. A popular recreational diving site, first-served. [47° 09.480' N / 91° 26.230' W] please be alert to divers in the water. Rest area 30.2 Private resort. Rocky Beach. on small beach nearby. No facilities. [46° 59.025' N / 91° 44.170' W] 53.8 Twin Points. Rest area, trailer access, parking. [47° 12.410' N / 91° 21.520' W] No camping permitted. -
Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerability of Brook Trout in Lake Superior’S Tributary Streams of Minnesota
Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerability of Brook Trout in Lake Superior’s Tributary Streams of Minnesota Lucinda B. Johnson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth William Herb, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Meijun Cai, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth Report to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, upon completion of contract # MN DNR/1229G WO 47578 Natural Resources Research Institute technical report number NRRI/TR-2013/05 1 Executive Summary Water temperature is generally considered one of the primary physical habitat parameter determining the suitability of stream habitat for fish species, with effects on the mortality, metabolism, growth, behavior, and reproduction of individuals. In this study we assessed the potential threats of climate change on stream temperatures and flow regimes in Lake Superior tributary streams in Minnesota, USA. The study included deterministic models for stream flow and temperature of three study streams (Amity Creek, Baptism River, Knife River), and regional (empirical) models for specific flow and temperature parameters to give better spatial coverage of the region. Information on stream flow, stream temperature, and land cover was used to develop a brook trout presence/absence model to understand the current pattern of distribution of brook trout and predict future distributions under future climate. The hydrology of north shore streams is mainly driven by air temperature and precipitation. Historical air temperatures in the region have a significant upward trend, particularly since 1980. Global climate model (GCM) outputs project a continued increasing trend in air temperature, with an increase in mean annual air temperature of 2 to 3 °C by 2089. -
LAND USE and WATER RESOURCES in the MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE DRAINAGE BASIN Carol A. Johnston, Brian Allen, John Bonde, Jim Sal6s
LAND USE AND WATER RESOURCES IN THE MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE DRAINAGE BASIN Carol A. Johnston, Brian Allen, John Bonde, Jim Sal6s, and Paul Meysembourg Natural Resources GIS Laboratory (NRGIS) NRRI Technical Report NRRI/TR-91/07 July 1991 Research funded by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources INTRODUCTION Rivers and streams are an important feature of the Minnesota North Shore. A dozen state parks and waysides lie at the mouths of rivers that cascade down the steep slopes of Minnesota’s northern highlands into Lake Superior,-carving beautiful waterfalls out the basalt bedrock. But the rivers that drain the 5778 km2 North Shore drainage basin provide more than scenic beauty, delivering nutrients and other materials to Lake Superior. Lake Superior’s tributaries provide about half of its annual water input (Bennett 1978), more than 90% of its total dissolved solids, and 68% of its phosphorus (Upper Lakes Reference Group 1977). Moreover, the water from these tributaries is delivered to the nearshore zone, in which Lake Superior’s biological communities are concentrated (Rao 1978, Munawar and Munawar 1978, Watson and Wilson 1978). Since these communities of bacteria, algae, and zooplankton form the basis of the food web, the productivity and integrity of Lake Superior’s waters are heavily dependent on water supplied by the North Shore drainage basin. While some of the materials delivered by rivers and streams are essential to aquatic life, excessive inputs of sediment and nutrients can cause nonpoint source pollution, the flow of pollutants from land to water in stormwater runoff or from seepage through the soil. -
Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for the Canada Lynx
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNATION FOR THE CANADA LYNX Final Economic Analysis | October 31, 2006 prepared for: Division of Economics U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4401 N. Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 prepared by: Industrial Economics, Incorporated 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 Final Economic Analysis – October 31, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION 1 FRAMEWORK FOR THE ANALYSIS 1-1 1.1 Approach to Estimating Economic Effects 1-2 1.2 Scope of the Analysis 1-6 1.3 Analytic Time Frame 1-11 1.4 Information Sources 1-11 1.5 Structure of Report 1-12 SECTION 2 BACKGROUND 2-1 2.1 Proposed Critical Habitat Designation 2-1 2.2 Threats to the Species and its Habitat 2-8 SECTION 3 TIMBER ACTIVITIES 3-1 3.1 Profiles of Regional Timber Industries 3-2 3.2 Changes in Timber Management Practices as a Result of Lynx Conservation Efforts 3-9 3.3 Pre-Designation Impacts to Timber Activities 3-12 3.4 Post-Designation Impacts to Timber Activities 3-13 3.5 Caveats 3-18 SECTION 4 DEVELOPMENT 4-1 4.1 Summary of Results 4-2 4.2 Methods and Assumptions 4-4 4.3 Unit by Unit Analysis 4-8 SECTION 5 RECREATION 5-1 5.1 Summary of Impacts to Recreation 5-1 5.2 Methods and Assumptions 5-5 5.3 Snowmobiling Scenario 2: Estimated Impacts by Unit 5-12 5.4 Hunting and Trapping 5-22 5.5 Other Recreational Projects 5-24 Final Economic Analysis – October 31, 2006 SECTION 6 PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PLANNING 6-1 6.1 Summary of Impacts to Public Lands Management and Conservation Planning 6-1 6.2 Methods and Assumptions -
Parks and Trails Legacy Plan Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance a 25-Year Long-Range Plan for Minnesota
Parks and Trails Legacy Plan Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance A 25-year long-range plan for Minnesota February 14, 2011 ©2011, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation, disability or activity on behalf of a local human rights commission. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This information is available in a different format upon request of persons of all abilities. February 14, 2011 It is our pleasure to introduce the Parks and Trails Minnesotans will look back and say the Parks and Legacy Plan. Funding created by the Legacy Trails Legacy Amendment accomplished what they Amendment gives us a unique opportunity to hoped for—and more. improve and expand Minnesota’s parks and trails of state and regional significance. This allows us to The plan recognizes the world‑class network of look out 25 years to envision a future in which parks parks and trails Minnesota currently has in place. It and trails play a significant role in the lives of all proposes to build on this foundation, making user Minnesotans. experiences even better. It is based on four strategic directions that together ensure a great future for parks Our extensive 18-month public engagement effort and trails: allows us to confidently state that this is a parks and • Connect people and the outdoors. -
Hiking on the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway
VisitCookCounty.com 218-388-2212 • www.wayofthewilderness.com • 218-388-2212 Outfitters Wilderness the of Way 218-387-2524 218-388-2224 • www.canoeit.com • 218-388-2224 leave only footprints. only leave Outfitters Canoe Voyageur pictures, only Take in. pack 218-388-2221 • www.tuscaroracanoe.com • 218-388-2221 you everything out Pack Outfitters Canoe & Lodge Tuscarora trail. main the on staying 218-387-1330 • www.troutlakeresort.com • 218-387-1330 by life plant fragile and Resort Lake Trout soils thin the protect Help Scenic Byway Scenic 218-388-2214 • www.trailcenterlodge.com • 218-388-2214 Leave No Trace No Leave Resort Center Trail The Gunflint Trail Gunflint The you expect to return. to expect you 218-388-2216 • www.seagulloutfitters.com • 218-388-2216 when and headed are you where know someone let Outfitters Canoe Seagull on Hiking detailed maps, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Always repellent. bug and sunscreen, maps, detailed 218-388-9929 • www.seagullcreekfishingcamp.com • 218-388-9929 and water for longer hikes, first aid kit, compass and and compass kit, aid first hikes, longer for water and Camp Fishing Creek Seagull 45 minutes per mile. Take along safety essentials: food food essentials: safety along Take mile. per minutes 45 218-388-2242 • www.rockwoodbwca.com • 218-388-2242 approximately Allow soles. non-skid with shoe jogging Outfitters & Lodge Rockwood on ledge rock. Wear comfortable boots or a well-built a or boots comfortable Wear rock. ledge on 218-388-2222 • www.poplarhaus.com • 218-388-2222 Be prepared for rough and slippery surfaces, especially especially surfaces, slippery and rough for prepared Be Haus Poplar Trail Safety Trail 218-388-4487 • www.poplarcreekbnb.com • 218-388-4487 Guesthouse Creek Poplar fish species. -
Superior Hiking Trail Rises to Craggy Peaks and Plunges Into Forests of Birch, Maple, Spruce, Cedar, and Pine
Photography by Gary Alan Nelson A Trail With a View For spectacular vistas, follow a footpath along the North Shore’s rocky ridge. Are you up for a day hike in one of Minnesota’s most dramatic landscapes? The Superior Hiking Trail rises to craggy peaks and plunges into forests of birch, maple, spruce, cedar, and pine. It crosses rushing streams and opens to panoramas of Lake Superior and the highlands. Built just for hiking and backpacking, the 296-mile footpath runs from Jay Cooke State Park to the Ontario border. Each year more than 50,000 hikers explore parts of this sensational trail. With 53 trailhead parking lots, one about every 5 to 10 miles, you can easily hop on and hike for an hour or a day. Here’s a look at some of the sights along three stretches. 26 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer July–August 2014 27 Gooseberry to Split Rock Gooseberry Falls State Park is a popular starting point. In the park, a bench overlooks the Gooseberry River. Markers assure hikers they’re on trail. This 6-mile section follows Bread Loaf Ridge. Atop a cliff, hikers gain a bird’s-eye view. During spring and fall, hikers can see migratory birds along this North Shore flyway. July–August 2014 29 Waterfalls on the Gooseberry River create a soundscape. From time to time, hikers get a view of the open sky over the big lake. In the late 1890s, lumber companies logged the land along the river. By the 1920s logging and fire had cleared the pines.