Overview

In coordination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) leveraged Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money to repair nine flood damage sites along Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis. These flood repair projects served as a precursor to and helped inform the MPRB’s Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan.

In 2014, the Twin Cities saw the wettest first half of the year on record since recordkeeping began in 1871, including over 11 inches of rain in June 2014. Coupled with a long winter and late snowmelt, this extreme precipitation led to a record flow on Minnehaha Creek and prolonged flooding throughout most of the spring and summer. In fall of 2014, MCWD completed a flood damage assessment of Minnehaha Creek. FEMA issued a statewide declaration of emergency which allowed MCWD to apply for and receive FEMA funding to repair flood damage along Minnehaha Creek.

At a Glance

  • Minneapolis
  • Minnehaha Creek Subwatershed
  • Status: Complete
  • 2020

MCWD Staff Contact

Josh Wolf

jwolf@minnehahacreek.org

952-641-4588

Supporting Materials

2014 Minnehaha Creek Flood Report

Southwest Harriet Flood Study

Southwest Service Area Master Plan

Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan

Project Cost

$215,000

Project Timeline

conversation icon

Planning Phase

Expand details

Planning Phase

November 2014 — Damages of record-breaking flooding assessed by MCWD

December 2015 — 2014 Flood Assessment Report Published

2017 — Partnership created between MCWD, FEMA, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

research paper icon

Design Phase

Expand details

Design Phase

May 2018 FEMA repairs design started

July 2018 — FEMA repairs design completed

construction icon

Construction Phase

Expand details

Construction Phase

January 2019 — Construction of the FEMA repairs started

January 2020 — Construction of the FEMA repairs completed

balanced landscape icon

Project completion

Expand details

Project Completion

January 2020 – FEMA flood repair project completed

By the Numbers

500

feet

of streambank repaired

>100

trees & Shrubs

planted

2

trail sections

along minnehaha creek repaired

1

access

to minnehaha falls repaired


Project Highlights

  • Over 500 feet of streambank habitat restored
  • Trees and shrubs planted along the creek
  • Community garden installed
  • Restored trails
  • Restored creek access

Partnership

The City of Minneapolis, MPRB, and MCWD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2017 to coordinate and leverage investments in a way that would achieve the goals of the three agencies, including repairing erosion caused by flood damage, improving water quality in Minnehaha Creek, and improving public access to Minnehaha Creek.

The Minnehaha Creek FEMA Flood Repair Project was coordinated with the City of Minneapolis’ Southwest Harriet Flood Study, the MPRB’s Southwest Service Area Master Plan, and the MPRB’s Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan.

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board logo

Funding

Project Cost: $215,000

Funding for the Minnehaha Creek FEMA Flood Repair Project was provided by FEMA and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.