Rock River Stream Bank Stabilization and Turbidity Reduction
Numerous studies have shown that stream bank erosion can be a significant contributor to the decline of water quality in the Rock River. The Clean Water dollars provided for this project assisted in three stream bank projects that address the turbidity (muddiness) impairment of the Rock River and bring the river closer to the level of water quality required for the EPA Clean Water Act.The $25,000.00 of Clean Water dollars were successful in leveraging $30,000 of US Fish and Wildlife funding as well as $20,000 of landowner and SWCD investment. The three streambank reaches total over 900 feet of shoreline having eroding stream banks with 5' to 15' of vertical bank. These areas were estimated to be contributing over 605 tons of soil per year to the river. The stabilization projects included placement of rock j-hooks, back-sloping the vertical face of the stream bank, stabilizing the stream bank with erosion control fabric, hydro-mulching and seeding the exposed banks and seeding the upland buffer with deep-rooted native grasses.Two of the sites are completed while the third site has the rock j-hooks placed but due to heavy rains late in the summer of 2010, still needs to have the streambank back sloped, seeded and hydro-mulched. An exemption for construction during the Topeka Shiner's spawning period has been applied for and if granted, completion of this project will be planned for the 2nd week of July 2011.
Nicole Clapp
(g) $2,330,000 the first year and $1,830,000 the second year are for grants to implement stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline protection, and restoration projects to protect water quality. Of this amount, $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year may be used for technical assistance and grants to establish a conservation drainage program in consultation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Drainage Work Group that consists of pilot projects to retrofit existing drainage systems with water quality improvement practices, evaluate outcomes, and provide outreach to landowners, public drainage authorities, drainage engineers and contractors, and others. Of this amount, $500,000 the first year is for a grant to Hennepin County for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization in the ten primary stream systems in Hennepin County in order to protect, enhance, and help restore the water quality of the streams and downstream receiving waters. The county shall work with watershed districts and water management organizations to identify and prioritize projects. To the extent possible, the county shall employ youth through the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust to plant trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks. This appropriation must be matched by nonstate sources, including in-kind contributions (2010 - Shoreland Improvement)
These three stream bank reaches total over 900 feet of shoreline with 5 to 15 foot eroding vertical stream banks. Prior to completion, these areas were estimated to be contributing over 605 tons of soil per year to the river.
These three stream bank reaches total over 900 feet of shoreline with 5 to 15 foot eroding vertical stream banks. Prior to completion, these areas were estimated to be contributing over 605 tons of soil per year to the river.