Parks & Recreation

Hartley Pond & Dam Feasibility Study

Project Status: Planning

Project Overview:

The City of Duluth and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are collaborating to conduct a Feasibility Study of Hartley Pond and Tischer Creek. A feasibility study is an evaluation, usually done by engineers, that establishes if the conditions are right to implement a particular project. Conducting a Feasibility Study for Hartley Pond is identified in the 2014 Hartley Park Master Plan, the 2019 Hartley Natural Area Management Plan under the Duluth Natural Areas Program, and the 2022 Essential Spaces: Duluth Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan.

The purpose of this Study is to evaluate the proposed options to improve the aesthetics, aquatic habitat, and recreational values of Hartley Pond, while also mitigating the temperature and sediment impairments that are negatively impacting Tischer Creek, one of Duluth’s designated trout streams. The hydrologic storage capacity of the pond is also a consideration in the Study.

The findings of the Study and input from the public will be used by the Parks and Recreation Commission, Natural Resources Commission, and Duluth City Council to determine future actions regarding Tischer Creek and Hartley Pond.

The Study is also one component of a larger interest in establishing a more resilient Tischer Creek. The City and DNR have also worked collaboratively to develop a Tischer Creek Roadmap to Resilience that describes a series of projects that will restore, enhance, and protect the watershed to ensure a fishable and swimmable creek now and in the future. The Roadmap webpage is available at the link below where you can access the list of projects and more information: https://nrmp-implementation-projects-duluthmn.hub.arcgis.com/

Project Update:

A brief public survey was available beginning May 10 and closed on May 31, 2024. The results of the survey are being compiled. If you wish to share comments or questions about the survey, please use the comment form at the bottom of this page.

Presentations about the Feasibility Study were provided at the May Natural Resources Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. In July and August, the Commissions may make motions to recommend that the Duluth City Council approve moving forward with the design phase of the preferred alternative. Public comment is welcome at these meetings. The meeting dates for the Natural Resources Commission is July 3 and Parks and Recreation Commission is August 14. The next phase of this project, if approved by City Council, is for design only. The design process will be 100% grant funded, will likely last through 2027, and does not require future construction.