An update on the Hartley Pond and Tischer Creek feasibility study

The City of Duluth is holding an informational public meeting in collaboration with the Minnesota DNR to discuss the results of a feasibility study at Hartley Pond and Tischer Creek.

The meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Hartley Nature Center, 3001 Woodland Ave, Duluth MN 55803.

Officials with the city say the purpose of the study is to “evaluate the the proposed options to improve the aesthetics, aquatic habitat, and recreational values of Hartley Pond, while also mitigating the temperature and sediment impairments that are negatively impacting Tischer Creek.” Tischer Creek is one of Duluth’s designated trout streams.

A feasibility study revolves around the trout population. In the last public meeting, officials working on the project outline what exactly a feasibility study does:

“A study to assess the most effective and efficient alternatives for eliminating
negative impacts on brook trout and other cold-water resources considering
mainly engineering and environmental factors, including effects of:

• Stream temperatures
• Aquatic organism passage and habitat
• Sediment transport
• Hydrology and hydraulics
• Assessment includes:
• Historical conditions, existing surface and groundwater conditions assessments,
  existing fish surveys, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling”

The study was first introduced as part of the Hartley Park Master Plan in 2014, then re-introduced in 2019 and 2022. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is funding the $200,000 study through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

During the meeting the results from the feasibility study will be presented and the public will have the opportunity to comment or ask question.

For more information on the project, visit the City of Duluth’s website.