Minnehaha Parkway Stormwater Management
Overview
Working in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is developing a shared implementation framework for the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan, a 30-year vision to enhance recreation, improve ecological function of the creek corridor, promote public safety, address flooding, and advance water quality in the Minneapolis segment of the Minnehaha Creek corridor. Currently in the planning phase, MCWD is identifying priority capital improvements in the Minnehaha Parkway. With this foundation, MPRB, the City of Minneapolis, and MCWD will initiate capital projects. Projects may include creek re-meandering, ecological restoration, stormwater management, and new creek access points.
Minnehaha Creek is an iconic regional and cultural natural resource. It is considered an impaired water body for multiple parameters, including fecal coliform bacteria, chloride, low dissolved oxygen, and fish and macroinvertebrate communities. Additionally, the downstream receiving water body, Lake Hiawatha, has been identified as impaired for excess nutrients. Minnehaha Creek is further impacted by rapidly fluctuating water flows that contribute to bank erosion and impair the ecological integrity of the stream. This project combines the shared goals and mutual benefits of MCWD’s partners to provide solutions for impairments and achieve Minnehaha Parkway Regional Master Plan goals.
Project Updates
fall 2024
MCWD is currently working with the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to align goals and determine next steps for advancing improvements along the Minnehaha Parkway. In April 2024, the City, MPRB, and MCWD adopted a cooperative agreement, establishing a formal partnership and a framework for long-term investment. The partners selected a contractor for feasibility in Summer 2024 and initiated feasibility work in Fall 2024.
Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2022 – Planning phase begins
April 2024 — MCWD’s Board of Managers authorizes to release a request for proposals for feasibility of three Phase 1 partnership projects with Resolution 24-028
July 2024 — MCWD’s Board authorizes a contract with Stantec to complete feasibility of three Phase 1 partnership projects with Resolution 24-042
2024 – Planning phase ends
Design Phase
Design Phase
2025 – Design phase begins
2026 – Design phase ends
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
2026 – Construction begins
2028 – Construction ends
Project completion
Project Completion
2028 – Anticipated project completion
By the Numbers
2.654
miles
of re-meandered creek
51.8
acres
of upland landscape restoration
424
pounds
of phosphorous reduction each year
56
acre-feet
of new floodplain storage capacity
Project Highlights
- Water quality improvements
- New creek accesses
- Streambank restoration
- Stormwater treatment features
- Wildlife habitat restoration
All metrics anticipated upon completion.
Partnership
Completion of this project will require a strong partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to create a shared implementation framework for the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan, a 30-year vision to improve the Minneapolis segment of the Minnehaha Creek corridor.
Funding
Project Cost: $1,600,000
MCWD will determine funding sources in later phases of the project.
