Ponderosa Woods Stream Restoration Project

Plymouth

Project Number: ML-22

Project Status   |  Proposed

The BCWMC completed a feasibility study in June 2023 that identified restoration opportunities along a 1,000 foot section of an intermittent stream that enters Plymouth Creek just upstream of Medicine Lake. At their June 15, 2023 meeting, the BCWMC approved the implementation on "alternative 1.5," to stabilize streambanks, improve flow and reduce erosion in storm water side channels, and remove buckthorn along the riparian buffer and within a 2 acre floodplain area at the downstream end of the project.

Hennepin County will consider the maximum levy request for this project at their Board of Commissioners meeting in August 2023. At their September 21st meeting, the BCWMC will hold a public hearing on this project and will consider officially ordering the project. If ordered, the project would like be designed in late 2023/early 2024 with construction expected winter 2024/2025.

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Project Funding   |   Not Grant Funded

The estimated cost of this project including study, design, construction, and administration is $352,000 which would be funded through taxes collected from all residents of the Bassett Creek Watershed area through the BCWMC Capital Improvement Program.

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Project Description

This proposed project would restore a small stream that is actively eroding near Medicine Lake and which drains into Plymouth Creek and then into the West Medicine Lake Park Water Quality ponds. This proposed project will stabilize streambanks, reduce sediment and nutrient pollution reaching Medicine Lake, improve in-stream and riparian habitats, remove over two acres of buckthorn, and prevent future channel erosion along a 1,000-foot section of the stream that drains into Plymouth Creek just upstream of Medicine Lake. The project would reduce total phosphorus and total suspended solids entering the lake by and estimated 7.4 lbs. per year and 14,770 lbs per year, respectively.

 Detailed project map

More Information

Additional Information on feasibility study

Final Feasibility Study - approved at the June 15, 2023 meeting (Alternative 1.5 selected for implementation)

Feasibility Study Appendices

Project information and preliminary concepts: February 13, 2023 public open house

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