Upper Minnesota River Watershed Fish Passage in South Dakota

This project is located on the headwaters of the Minnesota River and will provide a wide range of benefits to communities in both Minnesota & South Dakota, including ecological, water quality and flood control. Most notably, the project will address deficiencies from previous flood control projects to enhance fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage through the region through a two-phased watershed approach that reconnects 780 miles upstream with nine miles of downstream river. Phase 1 of the project will directly enhance fish passage on the Little Minnesota River through the construction of a rock-arch rapids, while Phase 2 will reestablish the historic Whetstone River connection to the Minnesota River, which was diverted directly to Big Stone Lake in the 1930s.

Project Quick Facts:

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The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success. 

Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people. 

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.) 

CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED.