Spirit Lake Photos, January - October 2023

Week of October 23, 2023

  • A pedestrian trail crossing over the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad is completed.

  • Hydroseeding along the pedestrian trail segment on the Delta Upland Cap is in progress.

    Hydroseeding along the pedestrian trail segment on the Delta Upland Cap is in progress.

Week of October 2, 2023

  • View of the OU-J Confined Disposal Facility (CDF). Final capping of the CDF is in progress.

  • View of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) restoration status.

Week of September 25, 2023

  • Construction continues on a trail connector from Blackmer Park in Duluth to the project site. Trails at the site are not open to the public at this time.

  • In October, multiple shrub species will be planted on the Delta Upland Cap as part of ongoing habitat restoration.

Week of September 18, 2023

  • View of planting operations in the Shallow Sheltered Bay from the Falcon Street trail connector in the Morgan Park neighborhood.

  • Habitat restoration progress on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

Week of September 11, 2023

  • The shoreline of Wire Mill Pond is planted with a variety of wetland species.

  • Planting continues along the shoreline of the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

Week of September 4, 2023
  • Large machinery slope stabilization work near Wire Mill Pond

    Slope stabilization work is underway near Wire Mill Pond.

  • Planting continues along the shoreline of the Shallow Sheltered Bay

    Planting continues along the shoreline of the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

Week of August 28, 2023

  • Planting of native species is performed on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) using hydroseeding.

  • A trail connector is constructed to connect the onsite pedestrian trail to Blackmer Park in Duluth. Trails are under construction and are not open to the public at this time.

Week of August 23, 2023

  • The Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) is seeded and covered with erosion control matting.

  • Planting continues in the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

Week of August 14, 2023

  • Helical piles are installed along the pedestrian trail. These will support interpretive signage with information about the history of the area and the Spirit Lake Project.

  • Planting continues along the shoreline of the Delta Upland Cap.

  • Erosion control blanketing is completed along the slopes of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF). Topsoil placement along the eastern side of the CDF.

Week of August 7, 2023

  • Erosion protection features are constructed on the Delta Upland Cap.

  • Planting is performed in front of the shoreline protection logs in the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

    Planting is performed in front of the shoreline protection logs in the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

  • Status of topsoil placement on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility.

Week of July 24, 2023
  • The topsoil layer is placed on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

    The topsoil layer is placed on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

  • A segment of the pedestrian trail at the Wire Mill Pond area is in construction.

    A segment of the pedestrian trail at the Wire Mill Pond area is in construction.

  • Status of new wetland plants in the Wire Mill Pond north wetland area.

    Status of new wetland plants in the Wire Mill Pond north wetland area.

Week of July 10, 2023
  • Capping continues on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

    Capping continues on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

  • fencing in the bay

    Temporary fencing at shallow sheltered bay.

Week of July 3, 2023
  • Capping on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) continues.

    Capping on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) continues.

  • Temporary fencing is installed in the Shallow Sheltered Bay to minimize predation on newly planted areas.

    Temporary fencing is installed in the Shallow Sheltered Bay to minimize predation on newly planted areas.

Week of June 26, 2023

  • Downstream view of the restored Unnamed Creek and Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

  • Track work continues along portions of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad.

  • Planting operations continue in the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

Week of June 12, 2023
  • Aerial view of capping on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

    Capping continues on the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).

  • Greenhouse full of plants to be planted in Wire Mill Pod and Shallow Seltered Bay

    Plants are grown at the onsite greenhouse prior to planting in Wire Mill Pond and the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

  • The new railroad section at the Wire Mill Pond bridge is being inspected prior to completion.
Week of June 5, 2023
  • Overview (looking west) of capping of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Unnamed Creek, and the OU-J CDF.

    Overview (looking west) of capping of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Unnamed Creek, and the OU-J CDF.

  • Planting of fringe marsh species continues in the waters of the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

    Planting of fringe marsh species continues in the waters of the Shallow Sheltered Bay.

Week of May 29, 2023
  • Clay material is placed to construct the subgrade of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility.

    Clay material is placed to construct the subgrade of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility.

  • Crews plant native wetland plants in the Wire Mill Pond area of the project site.

    Crews plant native wetland plants in the Wire Mill Pond area of the project site.

Week of May 15, 2023

  • Construction of the pedestrian trail continues around the Wire Mill Pond area.

  • A greenhouse is constructed on site to support aquatic planting activities.

  • Rail ties are placed across the new Unnamed Creek railroad bridge.

Week of May 8, 2023
  • Aerial view of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Shallow Sheltered Bay, and Delta Upland Cap.

    Aerial view of the Upland Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Shallow Sheltered Bay, and Delta Upland Cap.

  • Segment of the pedestrian trail in construction in the northern portion of the project area near the Morgan Park neighborhood.

Week of February 20, 2023
  • Sheet piles are being removed by lage machine

    Sheet piles are removed following completion of major construction of the new Unnamed Creek railroad and pedestrian bridge. Removal of the sheet pile wall will reconnect the flow between Unnamed Creek and the St. Louis River.

  • Construction work installing walkway and handrails on cold winter day

    - The walkway and other hardware (ex. Handrails) are being installed for the Unnamed Creek pedestrian bridge.

Week of February 6, 2023
  • The railroad and pedestrian bridge spans are placed across Unnamed Creek.

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  • Work continues on the pedestrian bridge at Wire Mill Pond.

    Work continues on the pedestrian bridge at Wire Mill Pond.

  • Construction work on railroad bridge and [edestrian bridge.

    Work continues on the Wire Mill Pond railroad bridge and pedestrian bridge.

  • large machine placing rock on slop of Wire Mill Pond

    Rock is placed to support slopes adjacent to Wire Mill Pond.

Week of January 23, 2023

  • Installation of the precast components for the new Unnamed Creek railroad bridge has begun. Concrete for these components is stained to have a historic timber appearance.

Week of January 16, 2023

  • Work on the pedestrian trail continues adjacent to the railroad in the northern portion of the project site.

Week of January 9, 2023

  • Construction of the new Unnamed Creek rail bridge continues.

  • Equipment is staged at Wire Mill Pond to complete capping activities following snow removal.

  • A trench is made adjacent to the Delta Upland Cap to place logs for shoreline protection.

Week of January 3, 2023
  • Pile driving has been completed for the new Unnamed Creek railroad bridge.

    Pile driving has been completed for the new Unnamed Creek railroad bridge.

  • Aerial view of the Unnamed Creek corridor, Delta Upland Cap, and Shallow Sheltered Bay.

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Last updated on May 29, 2025