Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center Phone: 952-854-5900 |
 |
||
|
 |
|
|
Beavers have changed the landscape of the Louisville Swamp by building dams and cutting down trees. | |
|
||
This 2,600 acre unit has a unique mix of old fields, prairie remnants, oak savanna, floodplain forest, and stone farmsteads. Historically elk and buffalo grazed the oak savannas, waterfowl filled the surrounding marshes, and the lakes teemed with fish. Today, the most visible species is the beaver. Beavers have changed the landscape of this area by damming and holding water and as a result hundreds of acres of trees have been killed.
Louisville Swamp floods three out of every five years. More than 80% of the wetlands upriver have been drained and no longer function as natural sponges to hold water on the land, thus causing flooding down river in Louisville Swamp. To control the flooding and help manage for more productive wildlife there is a water control structure located near Sand Creek.
Several established trails cross through Louisville Swamp, favored by hikers in the warmer months and cross-country skiers in the winter. A portion of Minnesota DNR land, the Carver Rapids Unit, is located entirely within the refuge's Louisville Swamp Unit. The Minnesota Valley State Corridor Trail runs the entire length of the Unit from north to south. It can be reached via an access trail from the main Louisville Swamp parking lot. The trails can be flooded during spring and summer. Call the Bloomington Visitor Center at 952.854.5900 for an update.
For more information on the State Corridor Trail and the Carver Rapids Unit, contact:
MN Valley State Trail/Recreation Area
19825 Park Blvd.
Jordan, MN 55352
952.492.6400
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will be used for biomass utilization on portions of the Louisville Swamp Unit.
|
|
Sixty acres of oak savanna will undergo hazardous fuel reduction and restoration by removing woody vegetation not associated with oak savanna ecosystems. By removing these plants, the area will be less prone to experience a catastrophic wildfire and provide high quality habitat for wildlife. Removed materials will be processed for biomass utilization.
Yellow flagging marked the desirable trees that will remain in the restoration area. Restoration will begin in January and continue through September. The restoration area is located east and north of the Mazomani Trail.
Oak savanna ecosystems refer to a variety of related plant communities consisting of open-grown trees (oaks, cherry, and hackberry) found scattered or in small groves, with a grassy understory. Oak savanna ecosystems are recognized as "globally endangered." Deer, turkeys, bluebirds, and redheaded woodpeckers are examples of wildlife that thrive in oak savanna ecosystems. Tallgrass prairie species such as kitten tails, shooting stars, and morel mushrooms are common to oak savanna.
Attention:
Posted on January 2010
The Sand Creek Bridge is out on the east side of the Mazomani Trail. A new bridge is currently being constructed. The bridge is expected to open for public access Summer 2010. This bridge is located 1/4 mile south from the Ehmiller site and 2/3 mile north from Middle Road.
Trail Map
 |
| [ Click for .pdf ] |
Main parking area:
3801 145th Street West, Shakopee
The main Louisville Swamp trail head is located about 4 1/2 miles south of Shakopee. Exit
Highway 169 onto 145th Street West. Follow the road past the main entrance to the Renaissance Festival and over the next set of
railroad tracks. The Louisville parking lot is located on the left.
