Morningside Stormwater Improvement Project
Overview
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and the City of Medina have partnered to construct a regional stormwater pond and stabilize three ravines, to reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Katrina and impaired Jennings Bay on Lake Minnetonka. The City is leading the project with technical and funding support from MCWD’s Land and Water Partnership (LWP) Program.
In 2021, the City of Medina began coordinating with MCWD to identify water quality improvement opportunities in Medina. The City and MCWD partnered with a local landowner, who was exploring a subdivision project, and identified the Morningside Stormwater Improvement Project in the Painter Creek Subwatershed, a focal geography for MCWD. The project is a regional stormwater treatment opportunity that would improve water quality in Jennings Bay, while addressing landowner concerns over erosion. Located north of Sixth Avenue, the project includes constructing a stormwater pond to capture and treat runoff from approximately 76 acres and stabilizing three open channel ravines with riprap and sheet piling to reduce erosion. MCWD provided technical support on the project’s design and contributed $172,000 toward construction through the LWP Program. The project is also supported by grant funding through the state’s Watershed-Based Implementation Funding (WBIF) Program.
Project Updates
Summer 2025
The Board of Managers and the Medina City Council approved funding and maintenance agreements for the project earlier this year, and the City awarded a construction contract in March 2025. Construction is planned to begin this Summer and be completed in Summer 2026.
Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2022 — City of Medina identifies the project opportunity
August 2023 — MCWD’s Board approves an agreement with the City for WBIF grant funds through Resolution 23-045
October 2023 — City completes a feasibility study
Design Phase
Design Phase
July 2024 — City of Medina initiates project design in coordination with MCWD
October 2024 — City submits an official Notice of Interest for LWP Program funding
February 2025 — MCWD’s Board of Managers holds a public hearing and orders the project, authorizes a funding agreement, and approves a budget amendment through Resolution 25-013
2025 — Design phase ends
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
Summer 2025 — Construction begins
Summer 2026 — Construction completed
Project completion
Project Completion
2026 — Complete
By the Numbers
36
Pounds
of phosphorus reduced annually
76
acres
of stormwater treated
0.57
Acre
stormwater pond constructed
400
feet
of ravine stabilized
Project Highlights
- Improved water quality in Lake Katrina and impaired Jennings Bay
- Construction of a regional stormwater pond in a focal geography
- Reduced erosion through ravine stabilization
- Early collaboration between the City of Medina and MCWD
All metrics anticipated upon project completion.
“It’s been a successful partnership showing how the various jurisdictions can work together, and I’m happy to see it coming to fruition.”
— dusty finke, planning director, city of medina at the March 4, 2025, city council meeting
Partnership
The City of Medina coordinated with MCWD to identify opportunities to implement projects that would provide regional water resource and community benefits.
Funding
MCWD Project Cost: $172,000
MCWD contributed $172,000, or approximately 40% of construction costs, through the Land & Water Partnership Program. The City of Medina contributed $213,000, and the project also received $243,200 in grant funding through the Board of Water and Soil Resources’ Watershed-Based Implementation Funding Program.
