River Ecology Unit

Minnesota is defined by abundant water. Along with our many lakes, we also have 90,000 miles of rivers and streams that provide enormous recreational, economic and ecological benefits.

Over the past 200 years, the majority of our natural waterways and our native land cover has been altered to accommodate urban, agricultural, forestry and industrial uses. This context of altered landscapes is an important backdrop for the River Ecology Unit (REU) as we work to understand and improve the health of Minnesota’s rivers and watersheds.

Resources for understanding our streams and watersheds

Brochures:

• Are Minnesota Streams Healthy?

• Resource Sheet 1: Streambank Erosion and Restoration

• Resource Sheet 2: The Value and Use of Vegetation

• Stream Restoration: Toe Wood-Sod Mat

Online tools:

• Watershed Health Assessment Framework

• Watershed Health Assessment Framework for Lakes

• WHAF Video Training

River science and restoration workshops

• River Science Workshops

• River Health and Restoration Workshop brochure and registration form

Email Amy Childers with any questions or to express interest in any of our workshops (Note: workshops offered according to interest).

River-related reports, research, and databases

• Reconnecting Rivers: Natural Channel Design in Dam Removals and Fish Passage

• Barrier Effects on Native Fishes of Minnesota

• Minnesota Watercourse Morphology Dataset

• Habitat Suitability Criteria for Stream Fishes and Mussels of Minnesota

• Stream Crossings (culverts): Assessment and Ranking Guidelines

• Appendix A: Case Studies of Streamflow

  • Appendix to the Water Availability and Assessment Report

River Ecology Unit work areas

The REU work units each focus on different aspects of river ecology and watershed health. Our staff monitor and manage aquatic species, participate in dam removals and design stream restorations, deliver watershed health information, collect data on culverts and river morphology, and partner with USGS on monitoring and improving habitat on the Upper Mississippi River. Our staff also provide workshops and trainings to share this wealth of information with others.

Fish habitat research for water management

• Fish Habitat Fieldwork

• Lecia Babeu, River Ecologist, 651-259-5129

The Geomorphic Approach

• The Geomorphic Approach to Infrastructure Design at Road-Watercourse Intersections

• Kevin Zytkovicz, River Specialist, 651-259-5151

Center for Aquatic Mollusk Programs (CAMP)

• Mussels of Minnesota

• Statewide mussel survey

• Kathryn Holcomb , Mussel Program Supervisor, 651-314-6307

River restoration projects and research

• Rock Arch Rapids: What are they and why are they used?

• Stream Restoration Priority List

  • Stream Restoration Criteria

  • Project Submission Worksheet

• Neil Haugerud,  River Scientist, 218-671-7936

Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program

• Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM)

• Nicole Ward, Program Supervisor, 651-299-4021

Watershed Health Assessment Framework

• Watershed Health Assessment Framework (WHAF)

• Kevin Krause, WHAF Science Lead and Data Analyst, 651-259-5167

River Ecology Unit contacts:

• Daniel O'Shea, River Ecology Unit Supervisor, 651-259-5127

• Amy Childers, River Ecologist and Outreach Specialist, 218-671-7937