Outlet to Rice Lake. - FWS photo by Ron Knopik

Aerial Photo of Project Site. - FWS photo

Ditched and drained in the early 1900s by the drainage authority at the request of local farmers, Rice Lake was restored in 2006, following a 3-year effort by the USFWS, NRCS, Cannon River Watershed Partnership, Pheasants Forever (state and county), and private landowners.  In those three years, numerous county commissioner meetings were attended, funding and permits were secured, county ditch records were searched, and support of stakeholders was achieved.

Although it was once a historically-significant waterfowl lake, Rice Lake became a conveyance for sediment and agricultural runoff in the years since it was drained.  By completing this 80 acre wetland restoration, flood control for an additional 100 acres has been reclaimed in the drainage system along with improvements to water quality through nutrient removal.  Critical habitat for waterfowl and other wetland dependent species will also be regained to further the missions and objectives of the Service and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

At a cost of over $42,000, the engineering, weir and dam structure design, and earthwork could not have been accomplished without the generous financial support of our partners.  The Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation contributed over $20,000, Pheasants Forever provided an additional $6,000, and the local NRCS office supplied the engineering services once a USDA Farm Bill conservation plan was developed for the property.  Additionally, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, as an administrative entity, was instrumental in the completion of the project.