Lower Rice Creek Stabilization Project
The Rice Creek Watershed District is proposing to improve water quality and habitat in Locke Lake and Lower Rice Creek by stabilizing stream banks and bluffs on Lower Rice Creek, reducing in-stream erosion and sediment delivery to Locke Lake, and improving in-stream habitat complexity for fish and invertebrates. Eleven bank stabilization practices would be installed over a continuous 5,400-foot reach in Lower Rice Creek. The anticipated outcome of this project is the prevention of 2,874 tons per year of sediment, which is 58% of the sediment reduction goals for Lower Rice Creek.
The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is proposing to improve water quality and habitat in Locke Lake (02-0077) and Lower Rice Creek. We would achieve this outcome by stabilizing stream banks and bluffs on Lower Rice Creek, reducing in-stream erosion and sediment delivery to Locke Lake, and improving in-stream habitat complexity for fish and invertebrates. We propose to construct a variety of stream stabilization practices, each selected to target the specific cause of the instability at individual sites. Eleven bank stabilization practices would be installed over a continuous 5400-foot reach in Lower Rice Creek. Bank stabilization practices would include vegetation restoration, tree and boulder resentment, and rock barbs with live-stakes.
Diagnostic and feasibility studies for Locke Lake and Lower Rice Creek have shown that most of the sediment entering the lake is from unstable and eroding streambanks and bluffs along the Lower Rice Creek corridor. Stabilizing the streambanks was found to be the most feasible and cost-effective option for addressing the root cause of the problem. The eroding streambanks have been prioritized based on measured erosion rates, and the feasibility of conceptual designs have been selected to work towards meeting the sediment reduction goal of 80%. The stabilization practices proposed in this grant application are located in the top priority reach and will provide the biggest reduction of any on the reaches considered from restoration/stabilization.
The anticipated outcome of this project is a reduction in bank erosion by more than 4,721 cubic yards per year and the prevention of 2,874 tons/year of sediment deposition in Locke Lake. The total project cost is $710,130 and will achieve 58% of our erosion reduction goals for Lower Rice Creek.
Annie Felix-Gerth
$6,882,000 the first year and $12,618,000 the second year are for grants to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of these funds may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units.
The Lower Rice Creek Stabilization Project will decrease bank erosion by 4,721 cubic yards per year, reduce sediment deposition in Locke Lake by 2,874 tons per year, prevent a new TSS impairment, and improve habitat for fish and invertebrates.
This project has resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 2874 lbs of Phosphorus, 2874 tons of Sediment,
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS