Project Description

A large-scale water quality improvement project is currently under construction at the southwest corner of Lake Calhoun as part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Clean Water Partnership Project. The project is a key component of the largest urban lake restoration in the United States.

The project consists of a three cell wetland pond designed to treat stormwater runoff from approximately 900 acres of urban watershed. Project construction involved numerous large-scale hydraulic structures and diversion pipes, wintertime excavation of approximately 60,000 cubic yards of soil and special considerations regarding dewatering activities. The project also includes a 120-foot pedestrian bridge, custom formed fieldstone retaining walls, deck overlooks, trails and extensive aquatic plantings and upland vegetation. Project restoration and landscaping activities will be completed during the spring and summer of 1999.

The Larger Plan

The Southwest Lake Calhoun Wetland is part of an extensive seven-year initiative to improve water quality throughout the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. The plan includes another wetland, Cedar Meadows. It was built two years ago west of Cedar Lake and cleans up stormwater entering the lake. Since then, Cedar Lake's water quality has greatly improved and its water quality goals have been met.

Funding Source

The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Clean Water Partnership (CWP) is funding the Southwest Lake Calhoun Wetland. Organized in 1994, the CWP includes the City of Minneapolis, City of St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Design

Project design was done by Wenck Associates, Inc.