Overview

The East Auburn wetland corridor is a system of wetlands originating at the outlet of Wassermann Lake and flowing north toward Highway 5 to the inlet of East Auburn Lake in Victoria. The wetland corridor includes part of Six Mile Creek and contains several types of wetlands. MCWD is partnering with the City of Victoria to plan a restoration of the East Auburn Wetland, which will improve water quality flowing toward East Auburn Lake. The project will reduce phosphorus, a nutrient that pollutes freshwater ecosystems.

MCWD has worked with the City of Victoria to improve water quality in many of the lakes in the Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay Subwatershed, which is the headwaters of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. Water quality improvements in this area will also impact water quality downstream. MCWD’s research and monitoring team determined that the water flowing out of the East Auburn Wetland has the highest nutrient loading in the corridor, making it a key target for a significant restoration in the area.

At a Glance

  • Victoria
  • Six Mile Creek – Halsted Bay Subwatershed
  • Status: Design
  • 2026

MCWD Staff Contact

Rachel Baker

rbaker@minnehahacreek.org

952-641-4522

Project Cost

$600,000

Auburn

Project Updates

fall 2024

The Board of Managers authorized a design contract with Moore Engineering at its May 9, 2024, meeting for the East Auburn Wetland Restoration. MCWD will engage with the community on the project’s design plans prior to final design.

Project Timeline

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Planning Phase

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Planning Phase

2022 – Planning phase begins

December 2022 – MCWD’s Board of Managers authorizes a contract to conduct feasibility with Resolution 22-085

Summer 2023 – Feasibility study conducted

March 2024MCWD’s Board orders the project and authorizes to release a request for proposals for design and engineering services with Resolution 24-015

Winter 2024 – Planning phase ends

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Design Phase

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Design Phase

May 2024MCWD’s Board authorizes a design contract for the East Auburn Wetland Restoration with Resolution 24-032

2024 – Design phase begins

Summer 2024 – The project reaches 30% design

Winter 2024-2025 – Consultants plan to complete a geotechnical analysis of the site, which will allow the project to reach the next phase of design

2025 – Design phase ends

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Construction Phase

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Construction Phase

2026 – Construction phase begins

2026 – Construction phase ends

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Project completion

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Project Completion

2026 – Anticipated project completed

By the Numbers

95

pounds

in annual phosphorus reduction targeted

11

acres

of wetland restored


Project Highlights

  • Wetland restoration
  • Wildlife habitat restoration
  • Nutrient reduction in East Auburn Lake

All metrics anticipated upon completion.

Partnership

MCWD will work with the City of Victoria to restore the East Auburn wetland, continuing an impactful partnership that has yielded many projects in the Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay subwatershed.

city of Victoria

Funding

Project Cost: $600,000

MCWD is still in the early stages of planning and designing the East Auburn Wetland Restoration. Final budget and funding sources will be determined later in the project planning process.