Dune Stabilization on Minnesota Point
Minnesota Point, MN

Grantee: South St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District
Basin Program Funds: $9,284
Non-federal Funds: $7,705
Project Duration: 04/1995 - 08/1996
Status: complete

Problem Statement
The beach dunes on Minnesota Point are highly susceptible to wind erosion, especially where vegetation has been disturbed. An evaluation of Minnesota Point after storm events revealed that erosion is accelerated where heavy foot traffic occurred. Extensive cleanup of streets, driveways and sidewalks is required after each significant wind event. Vast amounts of sand cross the point and are deposited in Superior Bay, increasing the frequency of required dredging.

Background
The goals of the dune stabilization project were to reduce the environmental degradation and negative economic impact caused by wind-blown sands on Minnesota Point; to identify and map highly degraded and/or highly sensitive areas of the Minnesota Point beach dunes; to stabilize beach dunes vegetatively, and to raise consciousness and solicit cooperation of Park Point residents and visitors to minimize disturbance of the existing vegetation.

Minnesota Point, also know as Park Point, is part of the longest freshwater sand bar in the world. It stretches in length approximately 10 km and varies in width from 90 to 425 meters. The area is home to a diverse mix of animal and plant species, homes, and businesses, including about 1,500 permanent residences. The Park Point Recreation Area attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually for swimming, sun bathing, wind surfing, and related activities. The need to protect this unique resource was expressed by the International Joint Commission in their 1993 Review of the St. Louis River System Stage I Remedial Action Plan.

The Great Lakes Basin program invested $9,284 over a 17 month period to support mapping of the most sensitive areas, planting vegetation and educating the public through the use of signage at preferred entrance points as well as an informational sign at the Park Point Recreational Area.

Activities
Approximately 45,000 square feet of previously eroding dune has been stabilized. The SWCD supervised the plantings of 20,000 culms of American Beachgrass and 2,000 Sand Cherry shrubs on two selected sites that exhibited a high degree of erosion and potential for further degradation. The beachgrass provides maximum ground cover and dune stabilization and the placement of the shrubs protects the grass and encourages traffic toward formal dune crossings. Approximately 10,000 yards of sand have been conserved assuming the depth of sand scoured from a blow hole is six feet ( a conservative estimate).

Results
The Park Point shoreline - vegetative line - and road coverage has been digitized and is now on a GIS layer. This will be used for future planning and reference concerning the migration of sand and the changing vegetation line. Three major blow holes (two that were planted and one unplanted) have been surveyed to determine the present volume of the holes so that the value and success of this project can be determined. All educational signs have been placed at the appropriate locations.

The Great Lakes Basin Program has leveraged $7,705 from non-federal sources over the life of the grant.

Contact: South St. Louis SWCD, (218) 723-4876