Pine Creek & Norway Lake Dam Removal & Restoration

This project removes an existing dam and replaces it with rock riffles and enhanced riverbanks to improve public safety and river access, reduce flood risk, and reestablish aquatic organism connectivity. The team worked with the City of Pine River, MNDOT, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and regulatory agencies from feasibility studies starting in 2013 to project completion in 2022. The riffle pools and channels enhanced recreational opportunities for wading, fishing, and other water-based fun. This work reconnected 134 lakes and 80 miles of river and stream corridors benefitting fish, mussels, and many game and non-game animal species.