Post Title : 2023 Field Trips being considered by Randy. Natural Springs of the Minnesota River Valley.
Content :
Natural Springs of the Minnesota River Valley
This trip would visit natural springs found in the walls of the Minnesota River valley in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. Joanie and I have scouted every site except Seminary Fen. We could lead the trip. However, Greg Brick would be the ideal trip leader if he is willing to lead us. I can contact Greg and see if he is interested. If so, we would charge a trip fee to cover his honorarium. Greg probably knows of other sites worth visiting.
Suggested time to do this trip is early spring when the springs should be flowing and the trees have not yet leafed out. Probably late March or early April.
The entire trip below might be too much of one day. To cover all the sites this might be a two day trip.
Stop 1: Boiling Springs, Eagle Creek, Savage MN
Easy hike to springs. Good roadside parking for lots of cars. Springs were boiling good in August 2022 when we were getting rain. However, in October 2022 during drought they were barely boiling.
Location: 44.77113, -93.39777
12800 Independence Ave. Savage, MN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kci0nQlezuU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SvuTBsDTTo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK0VRm-C5uU
https://daytripper28.com/minnesota-adventures/how-to-find-boiling-springs-in-savage-mn/
https://www.maxjournalism.com/dailystories/40nc589tcitux3kja9jtxv3wydijh6
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/amas/detail_report.html?id=AMA00020
https://mntu.org/exploring-eagle-creek/
https://www.swnewsmedia.com/eagle-creek-access-map/pdf_6b1e2b05-165d-5d5d-a67b-a1c344546121.html
https://mntu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TU-Newletter-March-2015-2-Eagle-Creek.pdf
Stop 2: Savage Library, Savage MN
13090 Alabama Avenue S
Savage, MN
55378-4433
Museum in the library has information on the history of Boiling Springs.
Stop 3: Savage Fen and Camp Savage, Savage MN
Good roadside parking. Easy hike to overlook of the fen. Difficult to hike in the actual fen, but it can be observed from a distance. Best to visit when there are no leaves on trees.
Location: 44.77440, -93.35226 (East Unit)
44.77195, -93.37322 (West Unit)
44.77843, -93.35194 (Camp Savage Marker)
12329-12525 Xenwood Ave, Savage, MN 55378
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna00999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Savage
Stop 4: Frederick-Miller Spring and Riley Creek, Eden Prairie MN
We might be able to get someone from the Friends of Spring Valley to talk to us at this stop.
Location: 44.82259, -93.480457
9995 Spring Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
http://springvalleyfriends.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDUw7K3YUU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kBPXrVhAjo
Stop 5: Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area Spring, Eden Prairie MN
Nice hiking trail. Car break ins are frequent here (we got broken into). Probably need to have someone watch the parking lot. However, very nice hiking to trails to both an overlook of the Minnesota River Valley and to springs along two creeks.
Location: 44.81876, -93.51442
18700 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55347
https://daytripper28.com/minnesota-adventures/richard-t-anderson-conservation-area/
Stop 6: Seminary Fen, Chaska, MN (if time permits)
We have not scouted this site yet.
Location: 44.80874, -93.55673
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna02018
https://www.mnopedia.org/place/seminary-fen-scientific-and-natural-area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux8kk8jeBYU
Background Reading
http://lowermnriverwd.org/projects/dakota-county-fen-study-management-plan
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/water/wetlands/calcareous_fen_fact_sheet.pdf
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/California_Fens/what.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fen
Created Date: November 16, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Update Date: November 16, 2022 at 6:37 PM