The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board are currently evaluating options for stabilization measures for a section of Minnehaha Creek identified as Reach No. 8, spanning from Bloomington Avenue to Park Avenue in the City of Minneapolis. Stabilization of areas throughout Reach No. 8 arises from work completed in conjunction with the Minnehaha Creek Stream Assessment (2004). The report evaluated channel stability and grade control, bank erosion and infrastructure damage, aquatic habitat value, riparian vegetation and floodplains, general stream characteristics and inventoried impounded areas and alterations to natural flow within Minnehaha Creek. The report identifies areas in virtually every stream reach of Minnehaha Creek where damaged infrastructure and/or streambank erosion is an immediate problem and will be exacerbated if left unattended. Within Reach No. 8, MCWD has proposed a series of small to medium scale projects to address these issues which will include the following components:
- Stabilization of identified areas experiencing streambank erosion, bank failure, exposed infrastructure will be addressed as well as other issues of priority concern related to the general riparian condition of the reach
- Long-term maintenance of the project area to repair existing problems and prevent future degradation
- Design and construction anticipated in 2007
The Minnehaha Creek Stabilization Project within Reach No. 8 (see map below) will address a number of erosion and stability concerns which pose an immediate threat to the health, stability and structural integrity of property, banks and infrastructure in and along the creek. This series of projects would address priority concerns which should be performed regardless of any future activities or improvements constructed by MCWD or other entities. MCWD is currently conducting a more macroscopic, long-term planning effort which will address the broader issues of how the creek is managed and identify future projects within the greater subwatershed drainage area of Minnehaha Creek. Given the number of sites in need of repairs it is estimated that the MCWD would pursue one or more of those sites each year until the repairs are complete and the Minnehaha Creek streambank has been stabilized to prevent erosion and minimize sediment transport. For cost-efficiency as well as identified need, MCWD will pursue this series of projects in aggregate within the geographic area of Reach No. 8 to address severe erosion and damage to infrastructure. The methods employed will be an appropriate mix of bio-engineering and hard armoring to protect the integrity of the creek ecosystem and blend with the natural creek setting.
Creek Restoration 8 Plan (9 MG)
Upcoming public meetings and presentations include the following:
- August 8, Public Meeting, Lake Nokomis Recreation Center (6:00 PM, 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis)
- September 20, 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.