Many Point Lake Dam Preproject Scott Yess - 10/21/08

Minnesota DNR employees Neil Haugerud, Dave Friedl and Amy Childers assist with instream construction of Many Point Fish Passage Structure. Scott Yess - 10/21/08

Construction of fish passage structure on Many Point Lake, White Earth Reservation.

View of newly completed fish passage structure below Many Point Dam, White Earth Reservation. Scott Yess - 10/22/08

A fish passage structure was installed below the dam at Many Point Lake on the White Earth Reservation.   This project was a fantastic Partnership between the White Earth Natural Resources Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Boy Scouts of America and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  Rock and boulders were placed in the river below the dam to elevate the bottom and create a 4 percent slope which will allow fish to pass over the dam.  Three weirs were added utilizing large boulders which will create shallow pools and help dissipate energy.  Boulders were also placed along the banks for stabilization.  In addition the banks were planted with willow and reseeded.

This project was funded by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grant to the White Earth DNR.  The grant was applied for by Randy Zortman with a focus on lake sturgeon management.  Lake Sturgeon are stocked in Round Lake which is connected to Many Point by the Ottertail River.  We expect lake sturgeon to move into Many Point Lake from Round now that the passage structure has been completed. 

Luther Aadland from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assisted in the planning and dimensions of the passage structure.  Special thanks to Minnesota DNR biologists Neil Haugerud, Dave Friedl and Amy Childers for their expertise on the actual construction of the structure.  The Boy Scouts were extremely positive on all aspects of the project and provided site access.  Racer Construction did a fantastic job with the heavy lifting.  At the end of the second day this project was reality, it was a true partnership and will provide fish passage for many years.