Celebrating Trout Brook
SWWD marked the official end of work on the Trout Brook stream restoration project. To celebrate the occasion, SWWD worked with the Minnesota DNR to stock just over 2,500 fingerling brook trout into the stream.
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This October, SWWD marked the official end of work on the Trout Brook stream restoration project. To celebrate the occasion, SWWD worked with the Minnesota DNR to stock just over 2,500 fingerling brook trout into the stream. The site was identified over 10 years ago for restoration work to reduce sediment and nutrient discharge into downstream Lake St. Croix and St. Croix River, and to improve aquatic habitat.
In Minnesota, there is only one native trout species, the brook trout or as some lovingly call “brookies”. During the event, a heritage strain of native brook trout, called the MN Driftless, were stocked into Trout Brook. Over the last 20 years, the Minnesota DNR has worked to cultivate a heritage strain of native brook trout. The strain was developed through genetic testing, and gathering of eggs and milt of the remaining native populations of brook trout. Ultimately, the goal is to reintroduce native trout back into Minnesota trout streams with suitable habitat.
Restoration work at Trout Brook has been significant. Major construction to the channel beginning in 2019, to restore the original channel path and reduce flooding to the Afton Alps parking lot.