Utica Ravine Stabilization
The Credit River runs the entire length of the City of Savage before discharging to the Minnesota River. Both the Credit and Minnesota Rivers have been identified as not meeting state water quality standards for turbidity. A ravine running from Utica Avenue, east a distance of 2,600 feet to the Credit River, receives stormwater from more than 1,700 acres of the City. The long term and often very high flows of stormwater have resulted in significant erosion of the stream banks. This erosion results in the discharge of large amounts of sediment that contributes to the impairment of the Credit and Minnesota Rivers. In addition, steep ravine slopes also presented unsafe conditions in the residential area. The City of Savage committed to reconstructing and stabilizing the upper 700 feet of the ravine in 2010. The middle 800 feet of the ravine had previously been stabilized by the City. However, a $130,000 Clean Water Fund grant from BWSR as well as a $20,000 grant from the Scott WMO, also allowed the City to reconstruct and stabilize the lower 1,100 feet of the ravine. This allowed reconstruction of the entire 2,600-foot ravine from Utica Avenue all the way to the Credit River. This project, with significant support from project partners reduced sediment discharge to the Credit River by an estimated 50 tons per year, improved public safety and converted the ravine to a neighborhood amenity.
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)
This project resulted in the reconstruction of the entire 2,600-foot ravine from Utica Avenue all the way to the Credit River. This project reduced sediment discharge to the Credit River by an estimated 50 tons per year, improved public safety and converted the ravine to a neighborhood amenity.