Minnehaha Creek Reach 14 Restoration
Overview
As part of a comprehensive effort to restore Minnehaha Creek, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) worked with 16 Edina homeowners to restore approximately 2,000 feet of shoreline with native plants along a residential stretch of Minnehaha Creek. The project transformed the creek’s appearance and the new plantings prevent erosion, catch and filter polluted stormwater, and provide habitat for wildlife. The natural landscaping also looks beautiful and deters geese.
“Reach 14” of Minnehaha Creek is a three-quarter-of-a-mile stretch of creek from 54th Street to France Avenue and was identified in a 2004 study as having poor habitat for aquatic life due to warm, shallow water and lack of vegetation. Since the creek is bordered by private homes, many of which have turf grass or large rocks along the stream bank, MCWD saw an opportunity to improve the creek’s eco-system by working with homeowners to add plants, shrubs, and trees along the water’s edge.
Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2004 — Study identified Reach 14 as an area for restoration
Design Phase
Design Phase
July 2011 — Public meeting to present project design
August 2011 — Project feasibility report published
September 2011 — Public hearing
September 2012 — Preliminary design review
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
2012 — Construction on homeowner sites begins
2013 — Construction ends
Project completion
Project Completion
2013 – Project completed
By the Numbers
16
residential properties
involved
2,000
feet
of streambank restored
10
feet-Wide
Buffers of native vegetation on each property
Project Highlights
- Erosion prevention
- Stormwater capture and filtration
- Improved habitat for fish and wildlife
- Restored streambank
Partnership
The restoration of Reach 14 would not have been possible without the cooperation of landowners along the creek. Sixteen residential property owners coordinated with MCWD to restore the streambank and install best management practices.
Funding
Project Cost: $170,703
MCWD funded the residential landscaping of all 16 of the shoreline properties and maintained the native plants for three years before turning over responsibility to the landowners who now maintain the landscaping.
