On Saturday, June 6, over 30 Hastings residents gathered at Lock and Dam 2 to learn more about the Army Corps of Engineers projects, notably the island that has been constructed in Spring Lake adjacent to the levee. Hastings Environmental Protectors (HEP) sponsored the event, and two Corps staff, Andy Meier and Nick Castellane, led the informational tour of the work in the floodplain forest that has been undertaken over the last 10 years and the island that has been built in Spring Lake this year.
Andy Meier explained the extensive project to restore the floodplain forest area adjacent to Lake Rebecca and the prairie restoration in the Hastings River Flats area. The floodplain forest effort has focused on removal of invasive species, primarily European buckthorn, and the propagation of native trees. He explained that while there are many tall, mature cottonwoods, there is little new tree growth, owing to the buckthorn shading the undergrowth in lower forest story and preventing the development of a new generation of trees. The restoration efforts will require persistence over time to bring back the cottonwood, silver maple, river birch and elms.
Nick Castellane detailed how the construction of the island is intended to provide protection against erosion of the levee that separates Spring Lake from Lake Rebecca. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of the Corps is the maintenance of the 9-foot navigational channel in the Mississippi River, but that the island will provide benefits beyond just those concerns. The island is designed with levels that will support different types of vegetation, from aquatic plants to trees and shrubs. It will provide habitat for a variety of animals, as well as excellent spawning area for fish.
Attendees were able to pose questions about the projects and gain a much better understanding of the Corps of Engineers commitment tom habitat improvement in the Upper Mississippi River. HEP will continue to offer free informational programs and outings and invites public participation in these events.