Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
 Photo Credit - Scott Sharkey |
This proposed 2,450 acre unit stretches from the old Hwy. 169 bridge in Shakopee up the Flying Cloud Bluff into Eden Prairie. Full of marsh, prairie, lake and forested riverbanks, much of this area is still farmed. Here you can see a century old hunting club surrounded by high-quality marsh. Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons are commonly seen high up in the trees during nesting season.
Much of the Upgrala Unit is still privately owned. To limit unintentional trespass, trail heads will not be developed until the land is purchased or easements acquired.
Prairie Restoration
Historically, this area of land was part of the Upland Prairie System of Minnesota. Upland prairie was once the most extensive vegetation type in the counties of the
Minnesota Valley. Due to development, cultivation and fire suppression, less than 1% of that land is represented by this vegetation type today.
The 40 acre area of the Upgrala prairie has been invaded by many plant species that are not typical of this plant community. Woody species, both native and exotic, have moved in, blocking sunlight from low-lying, light dependent plants. Additionally, leafy spurge, a non-native species outcompetes and displaces native prairie plants.
Restoration of the Upgrala prairie began in the winter of 2010. Encroaching trees and shrubs were cut down and selective herbicide treatment will be applied. Fire will be used to remove the brush piles and to keep the prairie open and free of woody species. To help control leafy spurge, a root-boring beetle that feeds exclusively on this plant has been released.
Once the canopy has opened, grasses and other common prairie plant species will become more visible. Look for native plants such as side-oats grama, prairie dropseed, silky aster and bastard toadflax.
This restoration project is a partnership between the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, the Friends of Minnesota Valley, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Upgrala Parking (river access):
100 North Lewis Street, Shakopee
At this present time the Upgrala Unit is closed to the public due to private ownership. A parking lot north of Shakopee on the east side
of Highway 101 provides Minnesota River access for bank fishing.
