In the fall of 1999, Dave Stegmaier contacted the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop a plan to stabilize an eroding bank on his property. As shown on the figure below, the bank is located on the main branch of the Vermillion River, two miles east of Farmington. The eroded bank measures over 75 feet in length, with an average height of 4 feet to the normal water level. With input from the SWCD and Shandor Salay (a river ecologist who has worked on the Vermillion River), Dave decided on a bioengineering approach. Over 80 willow posts, 100 live stakes, and numerous branch bundles were collected and installed on 11/10/99. A mini-backhoe with a six-inch hydraulic auger expidited the post installation. Total project cost was $500 for equipment rental. The following individuals designed and/or installed the project: Dave Stegmaier (the landowner), Shandor Salay, Jay Riggs (SWCD), David Holmen (SWCD), Darrin Kron (SWCD), and Jacob Limmer. Photos: November 15, 1999: May 11, 2000 September 15, 2000