Rum River Restoration: Stop Erosion & Start Enjoying Your Property
Flowing from Mille Lacs Lake and known for its historical significance and memorable name, Rum River winds its way through the heart of Minnesota, offering a peaceful retreat along its many banks.
Like all rivers, the current of Rum River causes erosion over time. If erosion has made your property on Rum River less usable and less enjoyable, what was once a prime spot for relaxation may now feel like it’s floating downstream.
The good news is that you can stop erosion and start enjoying your riverbank again. Since 1996, Lakeshore Guys® has helped Minnesotans live the river life. With our best-in-industry riprap installation and other solutions, we can halt erosion and build the infrastructure you need enjoy Rum River more fully. Contact us to tell us about your situation and to book an on-site consultation, or read on to find out more.
About Rum River
Rum River begins at Mille Lacs Lake in the north and ends at the mighty Mississippi in the south, meandering for approximately 150 miles. It passes through Milaca, Princeton, Cambridge, Isanti, and St. Francis, before ending in Anoka at the Mississippi.
The river was an important route for fur traders in the 18th and 19th centuries, connecting the fur-rich Mille Lacs Lake area with the Mississippi River, where furs could be transported to other markets. The Dakota name for the river is “Watpa Wakan,” which translates to “Spirit River” or “Sacred River.” European settlers associated “spirit” with alcoholic spirits, leading to the name “Rum River” which continues to cause controversy.
Like many bodies of water in Minnesota, Rum River is known for excellent opportunities to fish, boat, kayak, and canoe. Fish include smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. The river’s calm stretches and occasional rapids means there’s something for just about everyone who enjoys water activities.
Problems on Rum River
The flow of water in Rum River is influenced by several factors, such as seasonal changes, rainfall, and human activities like boating. These contribute to varying erosion patterns along different areas of the riverbank.
Heavy rainfall and seasonal snowmelt can cause high water levels, leading to flooding and erosion.
In the upper reaches of the river, where the flow can be stronger, significant erosion can occur, especially during spring thaw and heavy rains. Property owners in these areas often face challenges with maintaining the integrity of their riverbanks and may need to invest in erosion control measures, such as riprap or retaining walls.
Both the left and right banks of the river can experience erosion caused by water flow and wave action. Boats can create wakes that hit the riverbank, contributing to gradual erosion. These areas can also see increased erosion during periods of high water levels, as the added water volume accelerates the natural erosion process.
Another challenge: muskrats. Muskrats can swim into your shoreline, burrow under your land, and leave behind sinkholes that eventually collapse or erode. We have a way to keep muskrats and similar mischief makers away, so as to preserve the safety and beauty of your land.
We use a 72″ proprietary galvanized muskrat-resistant fabric, called Muskrat Mesh™. This fabric covers several feet of your shoreline above water, as well as extending into the water a few more feet, which helps prevent muskrats from being able to burrow into the shore at, above, and below the water’s edge. Hardening this area with thick fabric and steel wire makes it much harder for the muskrats to dig into your shoreline, and much easier to swim away and try it somewhere else.
Stop Erosion Now
Only a properly installed riprap shoreline can halt the erosion. Riprap consists of large stones strategically placed along the shore, on top of a special layer of geotextile filter fabric. Riprap not only protects your land, but also makes your property easier on the eyes, while still blending in with your surroundings.
Your local landscaper is unable to build a riprapped shoreline that’s sturdy enough to stand the test of time, let alone to halt erosion on your part of Rum River. Sure, technically they can build one, and they’ll say it’s easy, and it might even look nice – for a season or two. Then it will crumble like old Play-Doh and you’ll need to get it rebuilt. Our riverbanks stay put.
We’ve seen just about every riverbank and shoreline problem imaginable. We have tested, proven methods of managing them, so you can enjoy your waterfront property to the fullest.
Riverfront Infrastructure: Constructing a Staircase Down to the River
Whether you prefer the durability of metal, the ease and efficiency of lumber, or the rough-hewn charm of stone, our custom-designed staircases and steps provide safe and attractive access to your riverbank. We can build you a staircase out of a wide range of materials, including:
- Lumber
- Prefabricated concrete
- Metal
- Stone (e.g., flagstone)
- Sawn boulders
Once you can get down to the river more easily, you can start to enjoy it more. Then you may also want a boat ramp, a sand beach, a patio, or other amenities.
Check out photos of some of the waterfront staircases we’ve designed and installed.
Contact Lakeshore Guys® to Give Your Stretch of Rum River New Life
If enjoying your part of the Rum River requires you to halt the erosion and make your riverbank more solid, then you’re in luck. Our DNR-approved practices, shoreline innovations, in-depth explanations of our processes, photos, videos, and best-in-industry reviews make your next step a clear and easy one. We can help you whether your shoreline is in Milaca, Princeton, Cambridge, Isanti, St. Francis, or Anoka. Contact Lakeshore Guys® today for a consultation.