Channel Restoration Projects

Why do channel restoration projects?

Shoreline restorations increase native habitat, act as a buffer to Medicine Lake, promote infiltration during periods of high water and can be enjoyed by all who use Medicine Lake. As the City of Plymouth undergoes development, various surface water treatment tools are necessary to maintain water quality parameters. Finally, channel restoration projects give us the opportunity to fix existing issues like toe erosion, shoreline erosion and the need for unattractive manmade seawalls.

Scheduled Projects and Results

Plymouth Creek, Plymouth, Minnesota, Proposed 2010 Construction

Plymouth Creek One (PC-1) is proposed to restore the channel of Plymouth Creek from Medicine Lake to 26th Avenue North in the City of Plymouth. Construction is proposed to begin in 2010. For more information on the project, please see the project's feasibility report, the project update on the City of Plymouth's Web site, or the BCWMC's Minor Plan Amendment updates.

The BCWMC will hold a public hearing about this proposed water quality improvement project at the BCWMC's regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2009, in the Council Conference Room at Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road. The purpose of the meeting is to is to hear public testimony regarding the project and interested persons are invited to attend the hearing.

Bassett Creek Main Stem- Reach 2, Golden Valley and Crystal, Minnesota, Proposed for 2010 - 2011 Construction

Bassett Creek Main Stem, Reach 2, is proposed to restore the channel of the Bassett Creek Main Stem from the Golden Valley - Crystal boundary (approximately 1,600 feet upstream of Highway 100) to Regent Avenue in golden Valley. For more information about the project, please see the project's feasibility report or the BCWMC's Minor Plan Amendment updates.

Sweeney Branch Creek Bank Stabilization and Pond Excavation Project, Spring 2008

Location Map

This reach of the Sweeney Lake Branch of Bassett Creek was restored by the City of Golden Valley and the Bassett Creek Watershed Commission in the spring of 2008. The stream receives storm water runoff from a large commercial and residential area in Golden Valley and St Louis Park and storm water from more than a mile of Interstate 394. High flows have caused erosion of the banks and scour of the bottom of the creek which has undermined trees lining the bank and caused meandering of the stream.


Before Picture 1 shows the stream at the upstream end of the reach before restoration.	After Picture 2 shows that some of the vegetation along the stream has been removed and the channel banks have been regraded. Rock riprap is installed along the banks to prevent erosion and the remaining portions of the channel banks are revegetated. The drop structure shown near the top of the picture is installed across the stream to prevent scour of the channel bottom.
*Picture 3*	*Picture 4*
Picture 3 and 4 are taken in the middle of the reach of the stream that was restored looking upstream .
*Picture 5*	*Picture 6*
Picture 5 and 6 are taken at the same location as pictures 3 and 4 above but they are looking downstream instead of upstream
After Pictures
*Picture 7*	*Picture 8*
*Picture 9*	Pictures 7, 8 and 9 show the restored channel immediately after erosion control blankets, seed and plantings have been installed. The plantings include a variety of grasses and wildflowers and a variety of seedling shrubs including dogwoods, willows and meadowsweet.

Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission