Restoring a Historic Landmark:
Minnehaha Falls and Glen Restoration
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, along with local, state, and federal partners, is undertaking a major restoration of the Minnehaha Falls and Glen area. This multifaceted project involves streambank and historic wall stabilization, trail improvements, and stormwater management. Project Summary |
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Minnehaha Falls By Jeff Mills |
Dakota People at Minnehaha Falls, 1857 Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society |
May 4, 2009: Actively working to complete the restoration work.
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April 23, 2009: Actively working to complete the restoration work.
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March 27, 2009: Actively working to complete the restoration work.
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Looking at the "deer pen" walking bridge February 23, 2009 (left) |
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Looking downstream from last walk bridge March 13, 2009 (left) |
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Upstream to first walk bridge February 23, 2009 (left)
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March 18, 2009: Actively working to complete the restoration work.
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| February, 24 2009: Work is actively being done on restoration of the WPA walls. Streambank restoration work is beginning in the next few days. |
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Media Tour - Friday March 13 Public Tour - Saturday, March 14
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Media Coverage:
- May 4, 2009, Kare 11 News
- March 5, 2009, Star Tribune
- January 22, 2009, Star Tribune
- December 14, 2008, Southwest Journal - third story down
- November 21, 2008, Minnesota Public Radio
- November 20, 2008, Star Tribune
- November 18, 2008, Fox News
- November 17, 2008, WCCO
- November 17, 2008, Pioneer Press
- November 11, 2008, KARE 11
- May 5, 2008, KARE 11
- January 4, 2008, Star Tribune
See Media Kit for more information; contact the MCWD Planner, at 952-471-0590 x 206. |
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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District accepted bids from the public for Phase I & Phase II of the project.
Phase I: Minnesota Veteran's Home
- MCWD awarded Veit & Company, Inc. the Phase I contract at the November 20, 2008 Board Meeting.
Phase II: Minnehaha Falls and Glen Restoration
- MCWD awarded Sunram Construction, Inc. the Phase II contract at the November 20, 2008 Board Meeting.
Contact MCWD Project Manager with any questions.
| Why is the project happening? What does the project involve? Where is the project taking place? Who are the project partners/contractors? When will the project start? How long will the project take? How will the project affect me? |
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Stream velocity during heavy rainfall events |
Stream velocity during heavy rainfall events has eroded the stream bank. Garbage cans would likely be swept away in a spring rainfall event without restoration work in this area. |
Why is the project happening?
In short, the project is happening because the area has degraded over time. Structural failures, erosion problems, stormwater management issues, and other problems threaten historic, cultural, and natural resources in the Minnehaha Falls and Glen area and at the Minnesota Veteran's Home.
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Eroding bank slope. |
Poor stormwater management. |
Failed wall and eroding bank slope. |
What does the project involve?
The project takes a variety of approaches to fix the existing problems:
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There are two main project components:
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Click on the image above to view pdf of MCWD's display board. |
Minnesota Veteran's Home
New stormwater management practices will be put into place at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home. Erosion problems will be repaired and stormwater directed into a new rain garden. Innovative best management practices (BMPs) such as rain gardens, porous concrete and infiltration areas will be used to manage stormwater on the MVH site . Traditional stormwater structures such as storm sewer and curb and gutter will be either removed or used to redirect stormwater into the new innovative BMPs.
Maps
North Half of MN |
South Half of MN Veteran's Home Project Area |
Minnehaha Creek
The second part of the project is in and along Minnehaha Creek, near Minnehaha Falls and in the area below the falls (Minnehaha Glen). The creek and glen repair will include adding retaining walls for stabilization, removing slumped concrete crib walls, adding bridge abutment protection, and bio-engineering the bank for added stabilization. Revitalizing the trail system is another major component along Minnehaha Creek. Some of the improvements include replacing part of the trail with an elevated boardwalk with metal decking, stabilizing stair systems, adding aggregate to the trail to slow erosion and improve “walkability”, and prevent erosion in areas with steep slopes. Vegetation restoration will be done next to the falls; however, no restoration of the falls will be taking place.
Maps
North One-Third |
Middle One-Third |
South One-Third of the Creek Project Area |
Where is the project taking place?
As mentioned above, there are two areas of the project. The first is Minnesota Veteran’s Home located at 5101 Minnehaha Avenue South in Minneapolis. The second is along Minnehaha Creek starting where Minnehaha Avenue crosses over Minnehaha Creek and ending where Minnehaha Creek enters the Mississippi River.
Click on Map to view aerial image of project area (exits to Google Maps)
Who are the project partners/contractors?
A unique partnership between several organizations has brought the project to life.
The project was out for public bid. MCWD awarded contracts for Phase I & II. |
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Failing crib wall. |
Organization |
Contact |
Phone Number |
Contribution |
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*State of Minnesota District 62 District 62A |
Representative Jim Davnie |
rep.jim.davnie@house.mn |
651-296-0173 |
$2,500,000 |
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District |
Renae Clakr |
rclark@minnehahacreek.org |
952-471-0590 ext. 208 |
$2,500,000 |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Aaron Snyder |
Aaron.M.Snyder@usace.army.mil |
651-290-5489 |
$1,000,000 |
Minnesota Veterans Home |
Everette Wright |
Everette.Wright@state.mn.us |
612-728-7348 |
$345,000 |
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board |
Mike Kimble |
mkimble@minneapolisparks.org |
612-230-6400 |
landowner |
*The Minnehaha Falls Restoration was part of the 2008 Bonding Bill passed in April. The sponsors were Senator Patricia Torres Ray and Representative Jim Davnie.
When will the project start?
The ground breaking ceremony was Friday, November 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Minnehaha Falls Park (the main park building). The address is Minnehaha Falls Park, 4901 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis. Construction is expected to start December 2008.
How long will the project take?
| The project was out for public bid. MCWD awarded contracts for Phase I & II of the project. Most of the major earthwork will occur in the winter of 2008-2009 with revegetation work throughout the site over the spring and summer of 2009. |
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Temporary techniques preventing the WPA walls from failing. Walls have been undercut due to stream velocity during heavy rainfall events. Walls will receive new footings during restoration work. |
How will the project affect me?
The project will require closing the park for the timeline defined by the contractor. A likely scenario during construction will see the bluffs open for visitors with the entire Glen (everything below the falls viewing area) closed for the winter.The project was out for public bid; MCWD awarded contacts for Phase I & II of the project.
With more than 850,000 visitors each year, Minnehaha Park’s falls and lower glen are major natural amenities for Minnesota residents and visitors. A historic landmark, the park has over the years been home to one of the principal mill sites in the region, a zoo, a racetrack, campgrounds, and more. Minnehaha Falls has been one of the area’s largest tourist destinations since before statehood, attracting visitors from all over the world.
For more background information on the project or for general information on Minnehaha Park please visit the following web pages:
Minnesota Historical Society - Minnehaha Creek
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Environmental Assessment
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - WPA Walls
City of Minneapolis - Minnehaha Historic District
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board - Minnehaha Park
Park Ranger Kathy Swenson, National Park Service - Naming Minnehaha Falls
PDF version of:
Larger resolution photos available below.
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| Stream velocity during heavy rainfall events has eroded the stream bank. |
Failing crib wall. | Eroding bank slope. |
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| . Temporary techniques preventing the WPA walls from failing. Walls have been undercut due to stream velocity during heavy rainfall events. Walls will receive new footings during restoration work. | Failed wall and eroding bank slope. |
Stream velocity during heavy rainfall events has eroded the stream bank. Garbage cans would likely be swept away in a spring rainfall event without restoration work in this area. | Poor stormwater management. |