Becky Houdek - Assistant Planner

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• Minnehaha Creek Reach 14 Feasibility Study

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Becky Houdek - Assistant Planner Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District
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Outline

• Background on MCWD
• Study area and goals
• Concept plans
• Next steps
• Questions and discussion

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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
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Background on MCWD

• Established in 1967 to manage and protect water
  resources
• Seven-member Board of Managers
• Departments
• Water Quality
• Education and Communications
• Regulatory and Cost-Share Programs
• Land Conservation and Restoration
• Planning
• Project Management

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Study Area and Goals
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Study Area and Goals

• Goals
• Stabilize banks to reduce erosion
• Improve riparian vegetation
• Improve fish and macroinvertebrate habitat
• Riparian vegetation
• Stabilizes banks (deep roots)
• Filters runoff from land
• Provides shading
• Shelter
• Deters geese
• Aesthetic value

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Comparison of Turf Grass and Native Plant Roots
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Concepts

• Voluntary project
• Balance homeowners desire for manicured and
  attractive yard with natural resource benefits
• Low shear stress, shallow slopes little rock
  needed
• 1-2 ft stone toe, bioengineered bank, and 10-20
  ft riparian zone that transitions to turf
• Primarily native grasses with some flowers and
  low-lying shrubs
• May include some in-stream habitat improvements
  (pools and riffles)

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Concept Plan Existing Conditions
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Concept Plan Proposed Conditions
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Next Steps

• Gauge resident interest
• Finalize Study
• Incorporate feedback from residents
• Determine project costs/level of MCWD funding
• Public hearing and review final feasibility
  study August 25th
• Project ordering potentially August 25th
• Continue to work with residents and city on
  design and agreements - 2012
• Construction fall 2012 or spring 2013

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Questions and Discussion