The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) conducted a feasibility-level investigation of problems and issues related to water resources with the area at the outlet of the watershed known as the Minnehaha Glen or Minnehaha Falls area. The proposed project utilizes the expertise and resources of a number of different project partners including the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the City of Minneapolis, the State of Minnesota Veterans Home, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The general goal of the project is to improve the natural resources within the Glen area through development and implementation of a plan detailing measures addressing stormwater management, streambank and bluff stabilization and ecological restoration.
In 2004 MCWD conducted a comprehensive Stream Assessment along Minnehaha Creek which identifies several specific issues of concern within the park limits including:
- Erosion and undercutting of streambanks near Works Progress Administration (WPA) retaining walls and bridge abutments downstream of Minnehaha Falls
- Erosion of streambank areas in conjunction with the presence of footpaths; recommended relocation of
- Need for maintenance of the forested riparian corridor to preserve aquatic and terrestrial habitat quality footpaths and 25-foot buffer
A major storm event in the fall of 2005 resulted in streambank failures at two separate locations exacerbating existing problems (see map below):
- Works Progress Administration (WPA) retaining walls at the base of Minnehaha Falls are severely undercut throughout the reach and have collapsed in a portion of the reach directly downstream of the falls.
- Rock gabion stabilization on streambank property near the confluence owned by the Minnesota Veterans Home was undercut and collapsed.
MCWD has divided the project into three separate categories based on location within the park and function of the features in the landscape. Each category requires different degrees of investigation:
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
As noted above, the existing WPA walls downstream of Minnehaha Falls have collapsed into the creek in one specific area and have been severely compromised structurally throughout the remaining reaches of the park. MCWD and MPRB have issued a joint-resolution to seek Federal assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to facilitate the design and construction of restoration effort for these walls. Implementation of restoration efforts is time sensitive in order to prevent further erosion of streambanks/bluffs and collapse of additional wall sections.
Minnesota Veterans Home Property
Redevelopment on the Veterans Home Property in 2001-2002 resulted in the creation of two gabion-enclosed stormwater facilities and rock gabion stabilization of the streambank on Veterans Home Property. In preliminary evaluations of performance of each of these features, MCWD has determined each to be failing. Flow paths in the stormwater facilities have eroded and undercut pathways underneath the gabions and flow directly into the creek without detention as originally designed. In addition, the streambank stabilization, as noted above, collapsed into the creek as the result of a 2005 rain event. As with the WPA wall restoration, implementation of stabilization efforts is time sensitive in order to prevent further degradation of the streambanks. MCWD has corresponded with the State of Minnesota (administrators of the Veterans Home) regarding facilitation of restoration efforts. The State has acknowledged an obligation to address the stormwater facilities and streambank stabilization issues. A redesign of these features will occur in conjunction with the maintenance of a bridge on the site in 2007. MCWD will provide technical assistance in this effort to ensure the success of redesigned facilities.
Stormwater and Ecological Management Plan for Minnehaha Falls Park
Human use of trail-ways, streambanks and surrounding natural areas have resulted in erosion and degradation of the riparian corridor. MCWD and MPRB have discussed an interest in creating a stormwater and ecological management plan for the park and surrounding properties draining to the park. A Stormwater and Ecological Management Plan would focus on the following components:
- Repair of existing areas of erosion along streambanks and bluff areas (Plan will not evaluate options for WPA walls but will note the outcome of the efforts identified above)
- Managing stormwater runoff from existing impervious areas to address erosion problems, reduce runoff volume and improve water quality
- Restoring natural features to the park integrated with efforts to manage stormwater and repair streambank/bluff erosion
- Balancing proposed features with the existing park use per MPRB guidance
MPRB has conducted various ecological management efforts within the park in addition to a proposed redevelopment of the Wabun Picnic Area. These efforts undertaken by MPRB must be integrated into an overall Plan for the park in addition to park use and future development issues identified by MPRB. MCWD has retained a consultant through contract to develop this management plan in concert with direction provided by MPRB, the State of Minnesota Veterans Home and the general public. The consultant is currently working closely with all organizations to develop a list of improvements mutually acceptable to each agency.
On July 24, 2007, MCWD and MPRB held a public meeting at the Hiawatha School Park to discuss the range of improvements that may be included in a potential project on the site. A copy of the presentation can be obtained through the link below:
Minnehaha Glen Feasibility Study (2.32 MG)
Future public meetings and presentations include the following:
- August 1, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Meeting (5:00 PM, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis)
- August 2, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board Meeting (6:45 PM, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven) Up Coming Board Meetings
Please return to this webpage for future updates on the project. Questions or concerns can be directed to Michael Wyatt, MCWD Planner/Program Manager at (952)471-0590 ext. 204. or via e-mail at mwyatt@minnehahacreek.org
