Parts of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge are closed to the public due to the flooding, and trails, bridges and observation areas are under water. The Visitor Center, located less than a mile from the Mall of America, at 3815 East 80th Street, Bloomington, remains open. Other open areas include parts of the Bass Ponds, 86th and Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington; and the northern end of the Louisville Swamp Unit, four miles south of Shakopee, along Highway 169.
The refuge is one of only four federal urban wildlife refuges in the United States, and is located along 34 miles of floodplain of the Minnesota River, from Fort Snelling State Park to Jordan, Minnesota.
Flooding is a natural event in a floodplain wildlife area. It enriches areas with nutrients, adds to habitat diversity by opening up solid forest stands, and sets back brush encroaching on wet meadows. Some wildlife dispersal may also occur as animals are carried to other areas by the flood, or forced to move.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of seven units. The Bass Ponds, Old Cedar Avenue, and Refuge Headquarters are in Bloomington, while the Black Dog, Wilkie, Louisville Swamp, Chaska and Upgrala Units extend from the metropolitan area to Jordan. Nearly all refuge areas have experienced flooding. Historically, however, the greatest flooding has been at Louisville Swamp, which is affected by flooding on Sand Creek, as well as the Minnesota River.
Since flood waters have reached record levels, facility damage and debris cleanup is expected to be extensive and costs could be in the hundreds of thousands. Much of the damage occurs when waters recede and the rate at which they recede can make a big difference. Most of the damage is related to providing public access to this natural area. Such things as trail heads, signs, hiking trails and overlooks will be damaged. Repair costs would be far higher if urban development, rather than refuge lands, occupied the land along the river.
Flooding has prevented some public use of the refuge. People planning to attend scheduled events away from the Visitor Center may call 335-2323.
The Visitor Center exhibits, slide show, overlook, Blufftop Bookshop, prairie restoration and hillside trails remain open. The public may also request River Connections, which details refuge programs for July through September. Refuge-sponsored events are free, but require advance registration by calling 335-2323.
Overall flooding in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region of the Service has caused significant damage. Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries also closed in the Region include the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge (comprised of the Winona District, Minnesota; MacGregor District, Iowa; LaCrosse District, Wisconsin; and Savanna District, Illinois) Swan Lake and Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuges, Missouri; much of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge (comprised of offices in Quincy, Illinois, the Brussels District, Illinois, the Wapello District, Iowa, and the Annada District, Missouri); Genoa and Iron River National Fish Hatcheries, Wisconsin; and Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Missouri.
Rains falling on already saturated areas across the Upper Midwest have been to blame for what many are calling the worst flooding this century. Water levels have yet to crest in Missouri, while they are staying close to their original record heights in Minnesotas Twin Cities.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
