Duluth’s Buckingham Creek once offered ideal conditions for native Brook Trout. However, the population became isolated within three relatively small sections of the stream due to development near the Creek. To increase the resiliency of this critical species, the city of Duluth implemented a major stream restoration project.
Using natural channel design strategies, the city of Duluth, St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources restored 3,500 feet of stream and 4,500 feet of connectivity. Additionally, 744 trees and 1,381 shrubs were planted to further improve habitat and restore the surrounding riparian wetland.
The project was completed in 2025 with $600,000 in GLRI funding and leveraged $390,000 in state funding. Minnesota DNR and the St. Louis SWCD celebrated the project’s completion with an event on July 14, 2026.
To learn more about the project, watch Minnesota DNR’s video.