Upper Buffalo River Restoration

Project proposes to restore 3.5 miles of channel in Section 7 Callaway Township and Sections 11, 12 and 13, Riceville Township, Becker County. Proposed channel restoration and streambank stabilization will result in the construction of a two-stage channel and upsizing culverts for fish passage to reconnect the river to its historic channel alignment. The project aims to improve water quality, manage erosion, reduce sedimentation, and enhance natural resources.

Historically, Buffalo River flowed through proposed project area, north of current channel. Local ditch was created in the 1970s. In the late 1970s or early 1980s, there was a large rain event that resulted in water overtopping high ground west of the channel and flowing into local ditch. Overtime, the ditch began to back cut until it reached the Buffalo River.  The Buffalo River rerouted and began using the local ditch as its main channel. The Buffalo River has continued to down cut. which has resulted in a significant amount of sediment loading downstream.