Draft NRMP Section 5.i Rice Lake Rice Lake Nature Area
Location: 4120 Bassett Creek Drive
Nature Area Size: 9.23 Acres
Description
The Rice Lake Nature Area is located along the north side of Bassett Creek Drive. The nature
area is within a residential neighborhood, although the woods and wetland provide more
seclusion than expected for a small urban nature area.
� #ps
Access to the park is through a pedestrian bridge cro o ry. ett Creek, which flows from
west to east. In this reach, Bassett Creek is wit incised ch. and some bank erosion is
present. The creek is bordered by mixed hard d floodplain forest - •ardwood swamp.
Reed canary grass is present where there is s -nt clearin• but the u -tory can be
sparse due to heavy shading. Tree r- oval would •- ;'e a flush of r- .nary grass
Rice Lake Nature Area can be access. • '" ',• an ag• -te path, and a boardwalk
leading to a floating dock. •uth Rice P•"ry` som- eferre, -s Rice Lake, is a shallow
basin, with a wide e • fringe. =ll, •s a • lakes like South Rice, are
somewhat unique, a - are su, " , sionallyf -ding fro deeper open water to wetland.
That natural process ca •bse • rom the - Lake Nature Area, by observing the
existing h roun•
The Ri - e Nature Area `x'vide,- ique opportunity to provide an unobstructed view of
South Rice • Because t =rk is •; ':'nated by wetland, access is limited to a raised trail
and boardwalk.
Forest and Woodla
The southern portion of they"'"ice Lake Nature Area is composed of a mixture of floodplain forest
and hardwood swamp. The wooded areas include a high proportion of box elder trees, with a
mix of silver maple, American elm, and green ash present.
Aquatic Resources
The Rice Lake Nature Area is within the floodplain of Bassett Creek and provides both floodway
and flood storage functions that are critical to this part of the community.
GVRM Plan 2015 RICE LAKE NATURE AREA page 1
Rice Lake Nature Area contains two primary aquatic features. The first is Bassett Creek, which
is a connecting resource throughout the City of Golden Valley.
The second featur is South Rice Pond. South Rice does not have a fishery, as it likely freezes
out on a regular basis. It does, however, support abundant waterfowl, as the habitat and
isolated nature of the pond make ideal nesting habitat year round, and an important protected
spot for layovers during spring and fall migration.
Wetlands
Ott ,
The majority of Rice Lake Nature Area is wetland, wing har• •d swamp, wet meadow
emergent marsh, and shallow open water. Thi lands show so ; signs of degradation, but
are overall above average in quality, and whe essed collectively, p - a critical function
for the lake and Bassett Creek,which is the recei ate South Ri d.
The wetland complex surrounding op ‘Itt, a divers ure of species, including several
sedges. Pockets of high quality wetlan. prese
Prairie and Gras-
Rice Lake Nature Are- no sig `. ant area •raise or grassland.
Invasive
Within .nature area, ood de some •ckthorn, but the majority is too wet to support
large buc population
In the wetlands, ,,,,,,canary g is dominant along the wooded transition, but declines in
abundance as hydro tran s from seasonal saturation to more permanent saturation and
shallow inundation. Som '. of reed canary grass are thick,where it is the only species
present. The survey data indicates a reduction in reed canary grass density, but this is likely a
result of where the data were collected.
Purple loosestrife was not inventoried in 2003, but likelyresent in low densities. In 2013 it
comprised approximately 10% of the vwasPegetative coverage in the shallow marsh habitat.
Table 5.15 Invasive Species Cover Percent Change 2003-2013
GVRM Plan 2015 RICE LAKE NATURE AREA page 2
Description %Cover 2003 % Cover 2013 % Change
Common Buckthorn 30 25 -5
Reed Canary Grass 90 50 -40
Purple Loosestrife n/a 10 n/a
Site Recommendations
Natural Resources
Maintain access (high priority)
One of the primary deficiencies of the Rice Lake Nature Area is that it is dominated by wetland,
which limits access. The area has a single crossing of Bassett Creek, and one trail leading to
the floating dock on Rice Lake. These features are in need of repair to maintain the existing
access. Repairs may be needed to the Bassett Creek span, resurfacing the existing earthen
trail, and to even out the transition from the trail to the floating dock sections. If expanding
accessibility to allow wheelchairs is desired, more significant changes would be required.
Enhance aquatic vegetation (medium priority)
Although there are large portions of the wetland that are dominated by reed canary grass,
cattails, and purple loosestrife, there is an abundance of high quality native vegetation.
Management of invasive species, and encouragement of the native species, could have a
profound influence on the quality of the emergent vegetation around Rice Lake.
Manage buckthorn (low priority)
Buckthorn is not present throughout the nature area, but is a dominant component where it is
present.
Amenities
A concept plan (provide future weblink or insert plan into Appendix) has been developed as part
of the Sochacki Park/Mary Hills/Rice Lake Nature Area, which includes collaboration between
Three Rivers Park District, the City of Robbinsdale and the City of Golden Valley. This plan
should support the efforts of that collaboration.
Update entry sign (high)
A new signs should be installed at main entrance using approved style type.
Install educational sign (low)
Rice Lake Nature Area provides a rich experience for wildlife habitat viewing. Provide education
signs near the Bassett Creek bridge and one on the pond boardwalk.
Install bench (medium)
There are no benches located within the nature area. Installing at least one bench along the
trail provide the trail user with a place to rest or simply enjoy the natural surroundings.
GVRM Plan 2015 RICE LAKE NATURE AREA page 3
Improve physical access -boardwalk transition (high)
Improve physical access—resurface/extend natural surface trails (low)
Restore/stabilize eroding streambanks (high)
Upgrade trash Receptacle (low)
The trash receptacle is one of the first amenities viewed upon entering the nature area. As such,
it should not only provide maintenance functionality and efficiency but should also be attractive
and reflect the image of the both Rice Lake Nature Area.
Install pet waste disposal system (high)
Rice Lake Nature Area should include waste disposal systems for their dogs; one at each main
entry. This not only keeps the nature area clean, healthy and attractive.
Table 5.16 Rice Lake Nature Area Improvement Priorities
Priority Management Description Action Qty Unit Unit Cost
(H, M, Type Cost Opinion
L)
Manage for invasive Herbicide reed
species, and
Aquatic canary grass,
M vegetation establish a high cattails, and purple 2 Acre $10,000 $20,000
quality native sedge loosestrife
meadow
Remove
Upland woods Improve forest undesirable trees,
L and hardwood health, diversity establish native 2 Acre $5,000 $10,000
swamp woodland
communities _
Provide continuity of
H Amenity entry sign design Install new sign at 1 Each $5,000 $5,000
through nature area entry
system _
M Amenity Provide natural Install interpretive 1 Each *$3,000 $3,000
resources education sign _
Provide continuity of Install new benches
M Amenity bench design at entry and on 1 Each $2,000 $2,000
through nature area deck overlook
system _
Provide continuity of Install new waste/
L Amenity trash receptacle recycle trash 1 Each $2,000 $2,000
design throughout receptacle at entry
nature area system
Provide dog walkers Install new pet
H Amenity with pet waste waste disposal 1 Each $600 $600
disposal system at system
GVRM Plan 2015 RICE LAKE NATURE AREA page 4
key access point
Evaluate ped
bridge crossing,
H Amenity Improve physical resurface earthen 1 LS $30,000 $no0t bodge
access trails, repair
boardwalk replacement
transition
Restore/stabilize
H Amenity Erosion prevention eroding $
streambanks
L Amenit Improve physical Consider canoe 1 $
y access access
*Does not include design fees
GVRM Plan 2015 RICE LAKE NATURE AREA page 5
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Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan
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Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan
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Rice Lake Nature Area-Existing Amenities FIGURE 5.55
Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan
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``,'vii, i""' Rice Lake Nature Area-Concept Plan FIGURE 5.56
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