Valley Creek Ravine 2E Stablization Project
This project will continue to protect and improve Valley Creek, a world-class trout stream located in the Valley Branch Watershed District. Stabilizing Ravine 2E, which conveys runoff from a 150-acre watershed directly into the main stem of Valley Creek, will prevent 7 tons of sediment from depositing in the creek and silting over trout spawning sites on an annual basis. It will also reduce the annual total phosphorus load to Valley Creek and the nutrient-impaired Lake St. Croix by 51 pounds per year.
This project will continue to protect and improve Valley Creek, a world-class trout stream located in the Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD). Stabilizing Ravine 2E, which conveys runoff from a 150-acre watershed directly into the main stem of Valley Creek, will prevent 13,700 pounds of sediment from depositing in the creek and silting over trout spawning sites on an annual basis. It will also reduce the annual total phosphorus load to Valley Creek and the nutrient-impaired Lake St. Croix by 50.6 pounds per year. The VBWD and partners identified and prioritized this project as part of a watershed-wide assessment of the Valley Creek watershed. The project includes the construction of a detention basin at the head of the ravine that will allow infiltration of runoff, address existing head cutting, and control peak discharges into the ravine. The project also includes stabilization of head cutting and bank erosion and slumping within the ravine, employing practices that the VBWD has successfully used to stabilize other ravines and banks.
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 project will protect Valley Creek trout habitat and water quality by controlling peak discharges and stabilizing headcutting and erosion in the ravine. It will reduce pollutant loads by 13,700 pounds/yr TSS and 50.6 pounds/yr TP.
This project has resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 52.2 lbs of Phosphorus, 7.853 tons of Sediment,
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS