Lower Coon Creek Corridor Restoration

This project will improve in-stream and riparian habitat and reduce sediment and nutrient loading (53 tons of TSS & 45 lbs of TP per year) to Coon Creek and the Mississippi River by restoring a 0.4-mile corridor of Lower Coon Creek within the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Given its highly altered drainage area and erodible sandy soils, this meandered reach of Coon Creek has become entrenched over time and has experienced accelerated rates of stream bank erosion. The proposed project will halt further incision using grade stabilization cross vanes and improve floodplain connectivity by excavating former oxbows to create access to flood prone areas. To further address stream instability and improve habitat, actively eroding streambanks (2149 LF) will be stabilized using bioengineering practices including toe wood and root wads with the use of hard-armoring restricted to areas necessary to protect existing built infrastructure. Additionally, buckthorn removal paired with native plantings will allow sunlight to penetrate the overgrown understory and promote the growth of low-lying, deep-rooted vegetation along previously bare stream banks and riparian areas. This project builds on concurrent work by Anoka County Parks to replace a trail crossing at the downstream end of the project reach to improve aquatic organism passage and suitability for recreation.