Shingle Creek Restoration, I-94 to CR 10, Brooklyn Center
Shingle Creek in suburban Hennepin County has experienced significant changes since its days as a narrow, meandering prairie stream. Nearly 100 years ago much of the stream was straightened and dredged to provide better drainage for agriculture. As agriculture gave way to urban and suburban development, Shingle Creek was widened and dredged again to more efficiently convey stormwater to the Mississippi River. Urbanization has resulted in high levels of chloride in the stream from road salt and not enough dissolved oxygen to sustain aquatic life. In 2011, with the assistance of a Clean Water Legacy Grant, the City of Brooklyn Center, the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission, and Hennepin Community Works, Shingle Creek in Brooklyn Center between I-94 and County Road 10 will be improved with in-stream water quality and habitat enhancements, native vegetation buffers, rain gardens, enhanced landscaping, and streambank stabilization. This project will not only improve water quality and enhance habitat, but it will also increase the visibility of this community amenity. The heavily used Shingle Creek Regional Trail follows this corridor, and the project includes several overlooks for trail users to stop at. In 2008, Brooklyn Center partnered with Hennepin County Community Works to prepare a community visioning study for its central business area, through which this reach of Shingle Creek runs. The restored Shingle Creek will be a distinctive and signature focal point for the business district as it redevelops.Clean Water Legacy funds were key to this collaborative project and leveraged funding nearly four times the grant amount.
Nicole Clapp
(c) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for nonpoint source pollution reduction and restoration grants to watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, and soil and water conservation districts for grants in addition to grants available under paragraphs (a) and (b) to keep water on the land and to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and to protect groundwater and drinking water. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants (2010 - Clean Water Assistance)
The project included installation of rock vanes and tree pins to add habitat and to aerate the stream. A wide native buffer to filter runoff was planted on 5,000 feet of Shingle Creek, and some eroding streambanks were stabilized with boulder toes. A pond was added to treat runoff from a nearby development. Over 100 community volunteers planted 9,500 live willow stakes for bank stabilization and habitat and 500 upland trees and shrubs.