Rush Lake

Restoration Update

In August 2007 the gates of the new dam were raised to the current “normal” levels to begin refilling the Lake. After 2 years of lower water levels, there has been good emergent plant germination on the exposed mudflats. The photos below show the vegetation growth as Mother Nature begins to refill the Lake.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

Project goals are to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the Lake through a two-year water level drawdown. Water levels were lowered in March 2006 to allow the natural regeneration of native wetland plants, consolidate bottom sediments, improve water clarity, and facilitate winterkill of non-native carp. The aerial photos below show the growth of vegetation on the exposed mudflats.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

South Boat Landing - Update

In late January 2008, contractors began the first phase of the reconstruction of the South Boat landing. Work for this phase included dredging 350 ft of boat channel leading into the Lake. The second phase will include the installation of precast concrete ramp panels, construction of a smooth gravel access walkway along a portion of the landing and installation of disabled access signage. The second phase will begin in the spring of 2008.

This is one of only two boat landings on the Lake and it has filled in with sediment. This project will allow the launching of small to medium motorboats for fishing and waterfowl hunting.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

Carp Treatment – August 2007

The DNR aerially sprayed the fish toxicant rotenone on 350 acres of the Lake. The purpose of the treatment is to kill non-native common carp as part of the restoration project. Carp are very destructive to marsh environments and their elimination will facilitate the establishment of native aquatic plants.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

June 2006 - Drawdown Update

Water levels on the Lake have begun to drop drastically. Significant mudflats have begun to appear and approximately 10% of the Lake bottom is exposed. Much of the remaining Lake bottom is only covered with 2-8 inches of water. A large mudflat has emerged at the mouth of the outlet channel leading to the dam, but the water has cut three channels through the sediment and the water continues to exit the Lake. Water clarity is excellent and significant beds of submergent plants (chara and sago pondweed) are beginning to grow. No emergent plants have started to germinate as the mudflats are still extremely wet. In the photos below, the mudflats are the gray areas. Hot and dry summer weather should assist with exposing more of the bottom sediment over the next two months. Stay tuned!

Thumbnails link to larger images.

April 2006 - Cattail Cutting

The outlet channel from the Lake to the dam became plugged in several sections with floating and rooted cattail bog that was inhibiting water flow. A barge mounted aquatic vegetation cutter was brought in to clear cattails from the channel leading up to the dam. The Bois Forte Tribe from northern Minnesota was contracted to clear the bogs and they brought their "Swamp Devil" barge to the Lake in late April 2006. The machine only needed 12" of water to float and was able to chop all the bogs and make a clear channel 15-feet wide. The dam was closed during operation to restrict sediment flow and all the cut vegetation was collected and removed at the dam site. After two days the water cleared back up and the dam was opened to resume the drawdown.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

Fall 2005 - Project Construction

The majority of project construction was completed during September-December of 2005. Work consisted of dredging and re-grading Waukau Creek from the outlet of Rush Lake downstream to County Highway “M”. In addition, the existing dam on Waukau Creek at the outlet of Rush Lake was replaced with a new structure better able to control water levels. The dam is located on private lands and is not open to the public.

Thumbnails link to larger images.

For more information about Rush Lake, send email to: DNR Wildlife Biologist.

Questions for Wildlife Management