Amy Peterson, Community Development Director for River Falls, described the vision for the Kinni Corridor plan and how the Army Corps of Engineers study that is underway will contribute. In the vision: the river will serve as an asset to the city, provide for economic vitality, improve and provide ecological stability, connect residents and visitors to nature, strengthen a sense of place, balance public use with property rights, promote history and culture, and improve the quality of life for future generations. She described the role of the US Army Corps of Engineers in conducting a study to evaluate proposed changes and how those changes will affect the ability to realize the vision.
The Federal Energy Regulating Commission (FERC) has decommissioned both dams in the city. The flood in 2020 has affected the project. The Army Corp of Engineers study will, among other things, focus on restoring degraded aquatic ecosystems. Initially there was a plan to remove sludge on the bottom of the lakes, but evaluation has concluded that the sludge is not toxic and is mostly sand. No fill will be added. To stabilize the banks after the lake level was lowered, rye grass has been planted and other reforestation could follow on the bare banks.
The lakes are very shallow. Lake Louise was at most 15 feet deep and Lake George is only 5 feet. The Kinni Corridor Collaborative will contribute $325,000 to the project. KinniCC might also fund recreational aspects of the project since recreation projects can’t come from federal funding.
You can see a map of the project here: https://www.kinnicorridor.org/images/agendas-minutes/Kinni%20Corridor%20map%2C%202017.pdf
The project ends at the city limits and does not go all the way down to the St. Croix River.
Here is the 108-page project report with lots of pictures and maps:
There is a plan for an additional Trestle Bridge for pedestrian use as shown on page 66. There may be an impound pond to catch downtown storm water drainage. That drainage water is too warm to put directly into the river.
Based on answers to questions after the presentation, the level of the river will be lower after the dams are removed, which will help the trout and reduce the water temperature. Most of the land exposed when the river is lowered belongs to the city. Since the river is spring fed, the water temperature will remain cool.
There will be an open house in the lower level of the library on August 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. to explain the Kinni Corridor plan. The plan will include sections on trails, connectivity, recreation and education. More information about the project can be found at https://www.kinnicorridor.org/