What is South Creek and Why is it so Important?

by Doug Moran, Habitat Coordinator

• Significant coldwater tributary to the Vermillion River, our largest metro-area trout stream
• ​A section of it has Legacy Amendment funding (see box on map) for restoration by MNTU.
• Lots and lots of eyeballs on it, meaning the public will care about and help protect it as they use it for recreation-fishing, walking, bird watching, enjoying nature.
• Has had +25” browns in it & has Heritage brook trout introduced to it

• Has already had significant investments in water quality and restoration work, over $1.7 million dollars already! Click the links below to see some of the projects done over the years by different organizations.
• Involves many partners:

          Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District
          Dakota Parks
          MN Trout Unlimited
          Twin Cities Trout Unlimited
          Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization

Some projects that have already been making South Creek better for all of us.
https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Project-Fact-Sheet-205th-and-Hollins-HDS.pdf
https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Project-fact-sheet-Lakeville-South-Creek-at-Hamburg-Ave-Habitat-Restoration.pdf
https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Project-Fact-Sheet-South-Creek-Flagstaff-Stream-Habitat-Restoration.pdf
​https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Project-Fact-Sheet-Lakeville-South-Creek-Stabilization-and-Habitat-Improvement.pdf
https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Project-Fact-Sheet-Lakeville-South-Creek-Temperature-Reductuction.pdf
https://www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/a5b534b2831b1b8413deb351a3b20019.pdf