07/07/2026
Hello Everyone:
This is to announce the completion and opening of the Lower Brule North River Restoration and Recreation Area Phase 1.
This project was completed through a partnership between the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with construction by Three Oaks, Inc. from North Sioux City, IA.
The LBST Wildlife Department is responsible for the management of design, implementation, and operation/maintenance of the river projects.
The attached map shows the layout of the project.
This project has three goals: 1) stabilization of the rapidly eroding shoreline, 2) restoration of wetland and riparian habitats, and 3) provision of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Shoreline stabilization/protection includes rock riprap placed to combat the forces of wind/wave and ice that erode several feet of land every year.
Restoration of wildlife river bottom habitats includes planting of the following:
8.5 acres of trees and shrubs (cottonwood, willows, plum, chokecherry, currant, sand cherry, oak, hackberry, box elder, honey locust).
6.1 acres of shallow water wetlands.
1,300 sweet flag plants.
7.3 acres of native buffalo grass, 6.5 acres of native grasses and wildflowers, and 1.3 acres of native wetland plants.
Outdoor recreational components include:
1.5 miles of walking/running/biking trails (connected to the existing Wata Onazin Recreation Area 2.5 miles of trails)
Two parking areas with small river access ramps for small, unmotorized watercraft and for ice fishing access
Two trash receptacles and one park bench
0.5 miles of motorized vehicle roads to access the river, shore fish, harvest fruits and other plant materials, and enjoy the trees, wildlife, and views.
Kids’ Fishing Pond (to be constructed later this fall)
This completed Phase 1 is one of three phases over four miles of river shoreline for the Lower Brule North River Restoration Project.
Phase 2 is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2027.
This phase will include 15 acres of tree and shrub plantings, 1.6 acres of wetlands, 1.5 miles of trails, and an accessible native plant materials restoration area that will provide educational and traditional use opportunities.
Phase 3 is nearing final design and is scheduled for construction to start in early 2027 and finish in Summer 2028.
This phase will include 35 acres of tree and shrub plantings, 15 acres of wetlands, 2.5 miles of trails and a 7.5-acre wooded island.
Adjacent to the four-mile extent of the river restoration projects, the Wildlife Department has begun a grassland restoration project that includes removal of invasive, non-native trees such as eastern red cedar and Siberian elm and restoring the area back to native grassland.
And, one more thing… the Wildlife Department is pursuing funding to connect the 6.5 miles of river trails to The Narrows area so that more than eight miles of contiguous trails will be available to the community.
We hope that the Lower Brule community and our visitors will greatly enjoy these opportunities to connect to the land, the river, the wildlife, and the plants because of all these projects. If you have any questions or input, please reach out to the Wildlife Department.
Thanks, Joel
