Rice Lake State Park: Difference between revisions

Rice Lake State Park
Rice Lake State Park
	Rice Lake is a shallow, marsh-ringed lake
	Location of Rice Lake State Park in Minnesota Rice Lake State Park (the United States)
Location	Minnesota, United States
Coordinates	44°5′16″N 93°3′31″W / 44.08778°N 93.05861°W
Area	1,071 acres (4.33 km2)
Elevation	1,257 ft (383 m)
Established	1963
Governing body	Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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Rice Lake State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, just east of Owatonna. Park lands entirely surround Rice Lake, an important stopping point for migrating waterfowl. The lake covers 750 acres (300 ha) with an average depth of three feet (1 m).

Natural history[edit]

The park's bedrock is limestone laid down 500 million years ago as organic sediments settled to the bottom of a shallow sea that covered much of the Midwest. This limestone is entirely covered by glacial till deposited during a Pre-Illinoian glaciation about 400,000 years ago. As those glaciers were retreating, a block of ice broke off and remained embedded in the till. The ice melted, forming a kettle which became Rice Lake. 10,000 years ago the more recent Wisconsin glaciation missed Rice Lake, passing to the west of the park. Meltwater from that glacier eroded streambeds into the Kansan till.

Rice Lake is the headwaters of the South Branch, Middle Fork of the Zumbro River. This east flowing stream was the lake's original outlet. After the Wisconsin glacier passed, the land to the west was lowered and a second outlet formed that flowed west into another watershed. This outlet feeds the Straight River, a tributary of the Cannon River.

In historical times, Rice Lake may have been as much as 55 feet (17 m) deep, but has filled in considerably due to human influence and the process of eutrophication. Today, Rice Lake is ringed with marsh vegetation. The marshy, shallow nature of the lake, as well as its being the only large lake in the area, make it ideal for migrating waterfowl. Whistling swans, Canada and snow geese, diving ducks, western and pied-billed grebes, and black terns are frequent visitors.

The park lands are covered in a hardwood forest of maple, basswood, elm, and oak, with some meadow openings. However this is not representative of the area's pre-settlement vegetation, which would have been oak savanna with somewhat denser tree growth on the east side of the lake. The water buffered the eastern shore against wildfires burning in from the prairie to the southwest.

Cultural history[edit]

Wild rice grows naturally in the lake, hence its English name.^[2] Native Americans in the area harvested the rice as an important food source. The Treaty of Mendota in 1851 opened up southern Minnesota to European settlement. In 1854, the village of Rice Lake arose on the northeast shore of the lake, along an important stagecoach route. The village was expected to grow significantly for a rail line was planned to pass through, but the line was ultimately laid farther south and Rice Lake was soon abandoned. The one surviving structure from the village of Rice Lake is a Methodist church built in 1857, which still stands in the northeast corner of the state park.

Rice Lake's other outlets were dammed and diked in the 1870s to channel more flow down the eastern outlet to power a mill in Wasioja. Nevertheless, the water level would periodically drop too low to run the mill, and it went out of business, later burning down in 1891. Most of the water control structures remained in place, however, limiting outflow and resulting in eutrophication from accumulated agricultural runoff. Rice Lake grew progressively shallower as it filled in with dead vegetation.

In the 20th century, Rice Lake became a recreational destination in the area, for although it was filling in, it was one of the few lakes in southeast Minnesota. The Izaak Walton League owned 50 acres (200,000 m²) on the north shore, and another fishing and hunting club owned other lakefront. In 1961, the newspaper editor in Claremont, Dana Hinckley, sparked strong local interest in creating a state park around Rice Lake. The idea was appealing for several factors. Owatonna had lost part of Kaplan Woods State Park to construction of Interstate 35, and the Owatonna swimming pool was crowded. Residents expected that the state would dredge Rice Lake to improve boating and swimming. With such support, legislation creating Rice Lake State Park passed in 1963. That same year the shrunken Kaplan Woods State Park was transferred to Owatonna as a city park, known today as Kaplan's Woods Parkway.

The actual purchase of lots from their various private owners proceeded more slowly than local enthusiasm would have indicated. Several owners were reluctant to sell, but by 1967 recreational facilities had been installed in the north central part of the park, mostly on the former Izaak Walton League property. Inholdings have been acquired periodically over the years, but the dream of dredging Rice Lake proved unfeasible. Moreover, the mud, algae, and leeches compromised the lake's appeal as a swimming destination. However, as Rice Lake has become less appealing for human activities, it has become more appealing to waterfowl. Rice Lake State Park has reinvented itself as a birdwatching destination.

Recreation[edit]

Boating: Boat launch. Due to shallowness, canoes and kayaks are recommended. Rental canoes available.
Camping:
- Drive-in campground with 42 sites (16 with electrical hookups, 1 handicap accessible).
- 5 walk-in campsites.
- 4 cart-in campsites on lakeshore.
- 5 canoe-in campsites on south shore of lake.
- 2 group camps, for up to 40 and 20 people.
Trails: The park has 4 miles (6 km) of hiking trails. In winter 3.5 miles (5.6 km) are groomed for cross-country skiing and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) for snowmobiling.
Rice Lake is unsuited to fishing or swimming but bullheads are predominate^{[citation needed]}.

References[edit]

^ "Rice Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. October 4, 2004. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 173.

Hintz, Martin. Natural Wonders of Minnesota. Country Roads Press: Oaks, PA. 1996.
Meyer, Roy W. Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society Press: St. Paul. 1991.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Rice Lake State Park signage, brochures, and website.
Schulz, Jamie M. "Wetland Restoration Potential at Rice Lake State Park." [1]

External links[edit]

Rice Lake State Park

[1] "Rice Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. October 4, 2004. Retrieved February 25, 2011.

[2] Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 173.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|State park in Minnesota, United States}}
-{{Geobox|Protected area
-| name = Rice Lake State Park
+{{for|the park in Iowa|Rice Lake State Park (Iowa)}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
-| category = [[List of Minnesota state parks|Minnesota State Park]]
+{{Infobox protected area
-| image = RiceLakeStateParkMN.jpg
+| name            = Rice Lake State Park
-| image_caption = Rice Lake is a shallow, marsh-ringed lake
+| iucn_category   =
-| country = {{flag|United States}}
+| iucn_ref        =
-| state = {{flag|Minnesota}}
+<!-- images -->
-| region_type = Counties
+| photo           = RiceLakeStateParkMN.jpg
-| region = [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele]]
+| photo_caption   = Rice Lake is a shallow, marsh-ringed lake
-| region1 = [[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge]]
+<!-- map -->
-| location = [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]]
+| map             = USA Minnesota#USA
-| elevation_imperial = 1257
-| elevation_round = 0
+| map_image       =
+| map_size        =
-| elevation_note = <ref>{{cite web | url={{Gnis3|2051400}} | title=Rice Lake State Park | date = 2004-10-04 | work=[[Geographic Names Information System]] | publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] | accessdate=2011-02-25}}</ref>
+| map_caption     = Location of Rice Lake State Park in Minnesota
-| lat_d = 44
-| lat_m = 5
+| relief          = 1
+<!-- location -->
-| lat_s = 16
+| location        = Minnesota, United States
-| lat_NS = N
-| long_d = 93
+| nearest_city    =
-| long_m = 3
+| nearest_town    =
+| coordinates     = {{coord|44|5|16|N|93|3|31|W|display=inline,title}}
-| long_s = 31
-| long_EW = W
+| coords_ref      =
+<!-- stats -->
-| area_unit = acre
-| area_imperial = 1071
+| length          =
-| area_round = 1
+| length_mi       =
-| established = 1963
+| length_km       =
+| width           =
-| management_body = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
+| width_mi        =
-| map_locator = Minnesota
+| width_km        =
-| map = Minnesota Locator Map with US.PNG
+| area_acre       = 1071
-| map_caption = Location of Rice Lake State Park in Minnesota
+| area_ref        =
+| elevation       = {{convert|1257|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url={{Gnis3|2051400}} |title=Rice Lake State Park |date=2004-10-04 |work=[[Geographic Names Information System]] |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |access-date=2011-02-25}}</ref>
+| elevation_avg   =
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+| dimensions      =
+| designation     =
+<!-- dates & info -->
+| authorized      =
+| created         =
+| designated      =
+| established     = 1963
+| named_for       =
+| visitation_num  =
+| visitation_year =
+| visitation_ref  =
+| governing_body  = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
+| administrator   =
+| operator        =
+| owner           =
+<!-- website, embedded -->
+| website         =
+| embedded        =
 }}
-'''Rice Lake State Park''' is a {{convert|1071|acre|km2|0|sing=on}} [[state park]] of [[Minnesota]], USA, just east of [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]].  Park lands entirely surround Rice Lake, an important stopping point for migrating waterfowl.  The lake covers {{convert|750|acre|ha}} with an average depth of {{convert|3|ft|m|0}}.
+'''Rice Lake State Park''' is a [[state park]] of [[Minnesota]], United States, just east of [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]].  Park lands entirely surround Rice Lake, an important stopping point for migrating waterfowl.  The lake covers {{convert|750|acre|ha}} with an average depth of {{convert|3|ft|m|0|spell=in}}.
 ==Natural history==
-The park's bedrock is [[limestone]] laid down 500 million years ago as organic sediments settled to the bottom of a shallow sea that covered much of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].  This limestone is entirely covered by glacial [[till]] deposited during the [[Kansan glaciation]] 400,000 years ago.  As those glaciers were retreating, a block of ice broke off and remained embedded in the till.  The ice melted, forming a [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] which became Rice Lake.  10,000 years ago the more recent [[Wisconsin glaciation]] missed Rice Lake, passing to the west of the park.  Meltwater from that glacier eroded streambeds into the Kansan till.
+The park's bedrock is [[limestone]] laid down 500 million years ago as organic sediments settled to the bottom of a shallow sea that covered much of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].  This limestone is entirely covered by glacial [[till]] deposited during a [[Pre-Illinoian]] glaciation about 400,000 years ago.  As those glaciers were retreating, a block of ice broke off and remained embedded in the till.  The ice melted, forming a [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] which became Rice Lake.  10,000 years ago the more recent [[Wisconsin glaciation]] missed Rice Lake, passing to the west of the park.  Meltwater from that glacier eroded streambeds into the Kansan till.
 Rice Lake is the headwaters of the South Branch, Middle Fork of the [[Zumbro River]].  This east flowing stream was the lake's original outlet.  After the Wisconsin glacier passed, the land to the west was lowered and a second outlet formed that flowed west into another watershed.  This outlet feeds the [[Straight River (southern Minnesota)|Straight River]], a tributary of the [[Cannon River (Minnesota)|Cannon River]].
-In historical times Rice Lake may have been as much as {{convert|55|ft|m|0}} deep, but has filled in considerably due to human influence and the process of [[eutrophication]].  Today Rice Lake is ringed with marsh vegetation.  The marshy, shallow nature of the lake, as well as its being the only large lake in the area, make it ideal for migrating waterfowl.   [[Bewick's Swan|Whistling swans]], [[Canada Goose|Canada]] and [[Snow Goose|snow geese]], [[diving duck]]s, [[Western Grebe|western]] and [[Pied-billed Grebe|pied-billed grebes]], and [[Black Tern|black terns]] are frequent visitors.
+In historical times, Rice Lake may have been as much as {{convert|55|ft|m|0}} deep, but has filled in considerably due to human influence and the process of [[eutrophication]].  Today, Rice Lake is ringed with marsh vegetation.  The marshy, shallow nature of the lake, as well as its being the only large lake in the area, make it ideal for migrating waterfowl.   [[Bewick's swan|Whistling swans]], [[Canada goose|Canada]] and [[snow goose|snow geese]], [[diving duck]]s, [[western grebe|western]] and [[pied-billed grebe]]s, and [[black tern]]s are frequent visitors.
 The park lands are covered in a hardwood forest of [[maple]], [[basswood]], [[elm]], and [[oak]], with some meadow openings.  However this is not representative of the area's pre-settlement vegetation, which would have been [[oak savanna]] with somewhat denser tree growth on the east side of the lake.  The water buffered the eastern shore against [[wildfire]]s burning in from the prairie to the southwest.
 ==Cultural history==
-[[Image:RiceLakeChurchMN.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Rice Lake Church, built in 1857.]]
+[[Image:RiceLakeChurchMN.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Rice Lake Church, built in 1857]]
-[[Wild rice]] grows naturally in the lake, hence its English name.  [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in the area harvested the rice as an important food source.  The [[Treaty of Mendota]] in 1851 opened up southern Minnesota to European settlement.  In 1854 the town of Rice Lake arose on the northeast shore of the lake, along an important [[stagecoach]] route.  The town was expected to grow significantly for a rail line was planned to pass through, but the line was ultimately laid farther south and Rice Lake was soon abandoned.  The one surviving structure from the town of Rice Lake is a [[Methodism|Methodist]] church built in 1857, which still stands in the northeast corner of the state park.
+[[Wild rice]] grows naturally in the lake, hence its English name.<ref>{{cite book |last=Upham |first=Warren |title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance |url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog |year=1920 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society |page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n192 173]}}</ref>  [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in the area harvested the rice as an important food source.  The [[Treaty of Mendota]] in 1851 opened up southern Minnesota to European settlement.  In 1854, the village of [[Rice Lake (ghost town), Minnesota|Rice Lake]] arose on the northeast shore of the lake, along an important [[stagecoach]] route.  The village was expected to grow significantly for a rail line was planned to pass through, but the line was ultimately laid farther south and Rice Lake was soon abandoned.  The one surviving structure from the village of Rice Lake is a [[Methodism|Methodist]] church built in 1857, which still stands in the northeast corner of the state park.
-Rice Lake's other outlets were dammed and diked in the 1870s to channel more flow down the eastern outlet to power a mill in [[Wasioja Township, Minnesota|Wasioja]].  Nevertheless the water level would periodically drop too low to run the mill, and it went out of business, later burning down in 1891.  Most of the water control structures remained in place, however, limiting outflow and resulting in [[eutrophication]] from accumulated agricultural runoff.  Rice Lake grew progressively shallower as it filled in with dead vegetation.
+Rice Lake's other outlets were dammed and diked in the 1870s to channel more flow down the eastern outlet to power a mill in [[Wasioja, Minnesota|Wasioja]].  Nevertheless, the water level would periodically drop too low to run the mill, and it went out of business, later burning down in 1891.  Most of the water control structures remained in place, however, limiting outflow and resulting in eutrophication from accumulated agricultural runoff.  Rice Lake grew progressively shallower as it filled in with dead vegetation.
-In the 20th century Rice Lake became a recreational destination in the area, for although it was filling in, it was one of the few lakes in southeastern Minnesota.  The [[Izaak Walton League]] owned {{convert|50|acre|m2}} on the north shore, and another fishing and hunting club owned other lakefront.  In 1961 the newspaper editor in [[Claremont, Minnesota|Claremont]], Dana Hinckley, sparked strong local interest in creating a state park around Rice Lake.  The idea was appealing for several factors.  Owatonna had lost part of Kaplan Woods State Park to construction of [[Interstate 35]], and the Owatonna swimming pool was crowded.  Residents expected that the state would dredge Rice Lake to improve boating and swimming.  With such support, legislation creating Rice Lake State Park passed in 1963.  That same year the shrunken Kaplan Woods State Park was transferred to Owatonna as a city park, known today as Kaplan's Woods Parkway.
+In the 20th century, Rice Lake became a recreational destination in the area, for although it was filling in, it was one of the few lakes in southeast Minnesota.  The [[Izaak Walton League]] owned {{convert|50|acre|m2}} on the north shore, and another fishing and hunting club owned other lakefront.  In 1961, the newspaper editor in [[Claremont, Minnesota|Claremont]], Dana Hinckley, sparked strong local interest in creating a state park around Rice Lake.  The idea was appealing for several factors.  Owatonna had lost part of Kaplan Woods State Park to construction of [[Interstate 35]], and the Owatonna swimming pool was crowded.  Residents expected that the state would dredge Rice Lake to improve boating and swimming.  With such support, legislation creating Rice Lake State Park passed in 1963.  That same year the shrunken Kaplan Woods State Park was transferred to Owatonna as a city park, known today as Kaplan's Woods Parkway.
-The actual purchase of lots from their various private owners proceeded more slowly than local enthusiasm would have indicated.  Several owners were reluctant to sell, but by 1967 recreational facilities had been installed in the north central part of the park, mostly on the former Izaak Walton League property.  [[Inholding]]s have been acquired periodically over the years, but the dream of dredging Rice Lake proved unfeasible.  Moreover the mud, algae, and leeches compromised the lake’s appeal as a swimming destination.  However as Rice Lake has become less appealing for human activities, it has become more appealing to waterfowl.  Rice Lake State Park has reinvented itself as a [[birdwatching]] destination.
+The actual purchase of lots from their various private owners proceeded more slowly than local enthusiasm would have indicated.  Several owners were reluctant to sell, but by 1967 recreational facilities had been installed in the north central part of the park, mostly on the former Izaak Walton League property.  [[Inholding]]s have been acquired periodically over the years, but the dream of dredging Rice Lake proved unfeasible.  Moreover, the mud, algae, and leeches compromised the lake's appeal as a swimming destination.  However, as Rice Lake has become less appealing for human activities, it has become more appealing to waterfowl.  Rice Lake State Park has reinvented itself as a [[birdwatching]] destination.
 ==Recreation==
 *'''Boating''': Boat launch.  Due to shallowness, canoes and kayaks are recommended.  Rental canoes available.
 *'''Camping''':
 **Drive-in campground with 42 sites (16 with electrical hookups, 1 handicap accessible).
 **5 walk-in campsites.
@@ Line 61: / Line 84: @@
 **2 group camps, for up to 40 and 20 people.
 *'''Trails''': The park has {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} of hiking trails.  In winter {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} are groomed for cross-country skiing and {{convert|1.5|mi|km|1}} for snowmobiling.
-*Rice Lake is unsuited to fishing or swimming but Bullheads are predominate.
+*Rice Lake is unsuited to fishing or swimming but bullheads are predominate{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}.
-==External links==
-*[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rice_lake/index.html Rice Lake State Park]
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
 *Hintz, Martin.  ''Natural Wonders of Minnesota''.  Country Roads Press: Oaks, PA. 1996.
 *Meyer, Roy W.  ''Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks''.  Minnesota Historical Society Press: St. Paul. 1991.
 *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Rice Lake State Park signage, brochures, and website.
 *Schulz, Jamie M.  "Wetland Restoration Potential at Rice Lake State Park."  [http://www.gis.smumn.edu/GradProjects/SchulzJ.pdf#search=%22%22rice%20lake%20state%20park%22%20wetland%20restoration%22]
+==External links==
-{{Protected Areas of Minnesota}}
+*[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rice_lake/index.html Rice Lake State Park]
-[[Category:Protected areas of Dodge County, Minnesota]]
+{{Protected areas of Minnesota}}
-[[Category:Minnesota state parks]]
+{{authority control}}
+[[Category:1963 establishments in Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Protected areas established in 1963]]
+[[Category:Protected areas of Dodge County, Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Protected areas of Steele County, Minnesota]]
+[[Category:State parks of Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Zumbro River]]
-[[fr:Parc d'État de Rice Lake]]