Rum Riverbank Stabilization in Oak Grove

Construction was completed in early November to stabilize one of the highest priority riverbanks in Anoka County. Two separate projects, spanning multiple properties, stabilized 935-feet of some of the tallest and most eroding riverbank on the Rum River. Portions of this stretch ranked at the top of the list of 80+ identified eroding banks during a 2017 erosion inventory of the Rum River through Anoka County. Altogether, these projects are estimated to reduce annual pollutant loading to the Rum River by 753-tons of sediment, and 640-lbs of total phosphorus.  

Photo: Before and after construction of upstream half of riverbank stabilization project, looking upstream.
Photo: Before and after construction of downstream half of riverbank stabilization project, looking downstream.

The project utilized a combination of hard armoring techniques, including rock riprap and concrete block mat to stabilize the water adjacent slope that reached 10' deep. The concrete block mat was installed on a low bench and topped with rock riprap to hide the concrete block visually from the river during all but the lowest water conditions. A portion of the bank was left alone to self-stabilize over time with the help of native vegetation. Where possible, the upper bank was graded back and also seeded with native vegetation. A rock barb was installed at a strategic location to redirect the erosive current away from the riverbank and to provide in-stream habitat benefit.

Funding sources include the Clean Water Fund and Outdoor Heritage Fund (both from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment) as well as contributions from landowners, Anoka County, and the Upper Rum River WMO. For more information contact Jared Wagner, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Rum Riverbank Stabilization in Oak Grove - Update

Construction is underway to stabilize one of the highest priority eroding riverbanks in Anoka County. Two separate projects spanning multiple properties will stabilize a total of 935' of some of the tallest and most severely eroding riverbanks on the Rum River. A portion of this stretch was ranked in the top two of over eighty identified eroding banks during a 2017 erosion inventory of the Rum River. Altogether, the stabilization of this stretch of bank is estimated to reduce annual pollutant loading to the Rum River by 753-tons of sediment, and 640-lbs of total phosphorus. Construction began in early September and should wrap up prior to winter. 

Photo: Active construction along the toe of one of the most severely eroding riverbanks on the Rum River.

The project utilizes a combination of hard armoring techniques, including rock riprap and articulated concrete block mat to stabilize the very tall slope. After the toe is armored, banks will be graded back where they can be to provide a stable slope, and native vegetation and trees will be planted. Funding sources include grant dollars from the Clean Water Fund and Outdoor Heritage Fund (both from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment) as well as match dollars from the landowners, Anoka County, and the Upper Rum River WMO.For more information contact Jared Wagner, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Cedar Tree Revetment's Lasting Impact on the Rum River

Cedar tree revetments are a low cost, environmentally friendly option to address eroding streambanks. Cedar revetments use Eastern red cedar trees to serve as natural armor, providing protection along eroding riverbanks. Revetments will slow or stop erosion during the project's lifespan and reduce the likelihood of a much larger and more expensive corrective project in the future. Riverbank erosion contributes sediment and other pollutants into waterways, reduces riparian habitat, and results in property loss. Stabilizing your eroding riverbank will provide water quality benefits as well as protect your property. 

Photo: ACD staff with Conservation Corps crew members anchoring a cedar tree into the riverbank. A post pounder is used to drive the tree anchor 3+ feet into the riverbed. 
Photo: Trees are limbed on one side so the trunk is seated into the riverbank. The trees are anchored at the toe-of-bank with the tops of the trees facing downstream. 
Photo: Before conditions of a riverbank at Rum River Woods park with moderate erosion. If left alone the riverbank will continue to erode and likely get worse overtime.  
Photo: After conditions of the Rum River Woods riverbank showing an installed cedar revetment. The revetment provides erosion protection by shingling the trees together, creating a continuous wall.

For more information contact Kris Larson, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Rum Riverbank Stabilization Projects - How are Things Looking?

ACD staff recently boated the Rum River to review potential riverbank stabilization and in-stream habitat sites, which provided an opportunity to assess a few previously installed stabilization projects. Each site was stabilized with hard armoring at the bottom of the slope (where vegetation will not grow due to frequent water level fluctuation) and native vegetation on the upper banks. The sites have remained stable, and vegetation has established to provide riparian habitat value within the Rum River Corridor.

 For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Shoreline and Stormwater Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Funding Available for Cedar Tree Revetments!

What is a Cedar Tree Revetment?
Cedar tree revetments use Eastern red cedar trees to serve as soft, natural armor, providing protection along eroding riverbanks. This protection decreases erosion and allows silt and sand to be deposited overtime. The deposited material forms a bed in which the seeds of riverbank plants such as sedges can grow. By the time the trees have decayed, the bank should be stabilized by the root systems of new plant growth and accumulated sediment. Revetments are ideal for riverbanks experiencing mild to moderate erosion. For riverbanks more than 5 ft. tall or areas with high water velocity, a revetment practice may be inadequate to properly address the issue.

Why Install a Cedar Tree Revetment?

Cedar tree revetments are a low cost, environmentally friendly option to address eroding streambanks. Revetments will slow or stop erosion during the project's lifespan and reduce the likelihood of a much larger and more expensive corrective project in the future. Riverbank erosion contributes sediment and other pollutants into waterways, reduces riparian habitat, and results in property loss. Stabilizing your eroding riverbank will provide water quality benefits to the Rum River as well as protect your property. 

This program is being funded through a Conservation Partners Legacy grant and there is currently funding available to eligible properties. If you live along the Rum River in Anoka County and are interested in learning more about installing a cedar revetment on your property, contact Kris Larson, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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Rum River Revetments Phase 2

ACD was awarded a contract with the Anoka County Parks Department to complete 2,500' of cedar tree revetments along the Rum River in Anoka County between 2023 & 2026. This project is being funded through a Clean Legacy Partners grant that was awarded to Anoka County Parks in 2023. The work will be completed through a partnership between ACD, Anoka County Parks, and the Conservation Corps of MN. 

Accepted Project Proposal

For more information contact Kris Larson, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Recommends Funds for Rum River Stabilization Projects

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is recommending $952,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for ACD to stabilize eroding Rum Riverbanks utilizing habitat-building, bioengineering approaches over the next three years. Bioengineering techniques stabilize and armor eroding riverbanks in a way that both protects the bank from further erosion and provides traversable habitat for wildlife. These techniques rely on using natural materials such as tree trunks and root wads, in-stream rock weirs, native plantings and tree staking, gradual slope grading, and minimal hard armoring where necessary. Current erosion along streambanks, as well as traditional armoring techniques like riprap, result in a wall or barrier to wildlife. The bioengineering techniques that will be employed by ACD in the Rum River will eliminate those barriers and provide additional habitat for all kinds of wildlife.

ACD has identified over twenty eroding banks along the Rum River in Anoka County that it will be seeking to address with these funds. It is anticipated that four to eight sites will be stabilized with the $952,000 from the LSOHC and an additional $236,000 in local funds from Anoka County and the Upper and Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organizations. Anoka County has pledged $442,000 in Rum River stabilization matching funds over the next five years. The remaining funds will be used as match for future grant applications.

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council has made the funding recommendation to the Minnesota Legislature, who will draft final bill language during the 2020 legislative session. ACD will begin reaching out to landowners with identified eroding banks suitable for these stabilization techniques after the funding is finalized.

  Example photo of an eroding Rum Riverbank stabilized with bioengineering techniques. This project was the result of the continuing partnership between ACD and Anoka County Parks.

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