Palmer Creek Stream Stabilization

The purpose of the Palmer Creek Stream Restoration Project is to improve water quality in Bass Lake in the City of Plymouth. Bass Lake is an Impaired Water for excess nutrients and has been undergoing significant efforts to reduce both watershed and internal loading. This project is comprised of two parts: a stream restoration on Palmer Creek, a tributary to Bass Lake; and two sediment control devices on storm sewers upstream of the channel to treat residential development currently untreated. Palmer Creek is a remnant of Upper Bass Creek that conveys flow from Schmidt Lake and from the local drainage area that is currently experiencing significant erosion and mass wasting. Some of that erosion is threatening public infrastructure and private structures. This soil loss results in an estimated 52 tons of sediment conveyed directly to the lake. About 1,250 linear feet between Larch Lane and a culvert under the CP Rail embankment will be stabilized and improved by regrading banks, installing boulder toe and vegetated riprap, enhancing buffer with native vegetation, and replacing old failing retaining walls. These proposed improvements will reduce that annual soil loss by an estimated 45 tons, resulting in a total phosphorus load reduction of 18 pounds per year. In addition, two sediment capture devices will be placed upstream in storm sewer on Larch Lane, providing water quality treatment for about 30 acres of currently untreated residential area. The outcome will be stabilized streambanks protecting public and private structures, improved water quality, and enhanced habitat for aquatic and upland wildlife.