A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant will help stabilize eroding trails along the Vermillion River in Farmington and improve the habitat for its aquatic species.

The $255,000 grant is expected to preserve the riverbank in Rambling River Park, a popular site for biking and trout fishing, between Schmitz-Maki Arena and the County Road 50 bridge. The city and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization, made up of Dakota and Scott County commissioners, will lead the project, and construction will begin in 2017 or 2018, planners say.

"We wanted to mitigate the erosion issue, because if we didn't, eventually it would eat away the trail," said Randy Distad, the city's parks director. "Down the road, we would have had to address reconstructing the trail because of the erosion."

During a recent site visit, officials with the DNR, the watershed group and the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District detected three areas with "considerable erosion," Distad said, along the trail. The project's other goals include providing refuge areas for trout and other aquatic species, restoring vegetation along the trail and mitigating future flooding.

The City Council approved an agreement with the watershed group at its latest meeting and will contribute $20,000 in staff time and in-kind services. The watershed group will contribute $30,000 for project design and management as well as $5,000 for construction.

The DNR requires construction to occur between April and September to protect trout spawning season. The city will next finalize designs and select a contractor, Distad said.

Natalie Daher • 612-673-1775