Regional Journalism Project -- Contributors
Journalism Project | Stories | Contributors | Journalism Links

River becomes a destination: Birding trail winds through area
By Fritz Busch
New Ulm Journal Staff Writer
(Last in a series on the Minnesota River)

NEW ULM -- Recreation in the Minnesota River Valley -- where the eastern woodlands meet the prairie grasslands -- is just beginning to take hold.

Many cities and towns on the Minnesota River are now seeing the waterway as an entertainment resource, although much work remains to reestablish the watershed.

For instance, Franklin will host Catfish Derby Days with a fishing contest this summer. Bike trails line the river in Montevideo. And late this summer construction of a 10-foot wide trail for bikers and non-motorized enthusiasts is expected to begin in the southeast corner of New Ulm.

Additionally, New Ulm's Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River will host Riverblast on Sept. 13-15 featuring music, boat rides, races, food, drinks and an art contest. And Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway maps are being developed.

"There is a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the river outlook," said Scott Sparlin of New Ulm, a founder of CCMR. "Many stem river cities are starting to get their hands around the river and identify it as a potential and existing resource ready to be utilized."

Meanwhile, the bird migration season is under way, and directions and preliminary maps of the Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail are available. The river valley and its watershed have long been a destination for knowledgeable birders. More than 320 species including rare and declining species have been recorded in the valley.

The state's newest trail, a project of Audubon Minnesota, spans the Minnesota River watershed from its headwaters near the South Dakota border to its confluence with the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.

However, river surface water and watershed restoration has a long way to go, with many challenging issues remaining, Sparlin said.

"Our existing state laws do not provide for consideration of downstream recipients of water that is moved off upland areas," Sparlin said. "Sales of raw materials for such projects is at an all-time high."

For example, additional underground drainage tiles can be installed at will to upland areas without permits or assessments regarding downstream impacts, he said. When this is done at multiple locations in a minor watershed, the cumulative impacts on a small tributary can be devastating. A domino effect is passed on to succeeding landowners, causing unnatural flooding of streams and tributaries.

Other negative impacts of underground drainage tiles are dislodging sediment existing along riverbanks and streams from prior water events plus the interception of potential ground water.

"Without that recharge to our subsurface aquifers, we will be literally stealing drinking water from future generations and exacerbating future droughts," Sparlin said.

He stressed the need for long-term planning such as recapturing portions of lakes and wetlands from the past century and beyond.

"It is time for all those who have built empires on the backs of the average landowner, producer and taxpayer to pony up and accept their share of responsibility for the watershed and rural lifestyle," Sparlin said.

Journalism Project | Stories | Contributors | Journalism Links
Science and Technology 203
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street · Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 537-6226
Fax: (507) 537-6147

Last updated: February 1, 2006