Projects

Bassett Creek Main Stem Erosion Repair Project: Cedar Lake Road to Dupont Avenue North/ 2nd Avenue North, plus Fruen Mill Area

Minneapolis

Project Number: 2017CR-M

Project Status | Complete

In April 2016, the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) completed a feasibility of stabilizing streambanks at a number of locations within the reaches noted above. The BCWMC held a public hearing regarding this proposed project on September 15, 2016. Hearing no concerns from the public, the BCWMC officially ordered the project, certified the cost of the project to Hennepin County for funding, and entered an agreement with the City of Minneapolis to design and construct the project. The project is being designed by Barr Engineering, on behalf of the City of Minneapolis. The 50% design plans were presented to the BCWMC at its August 17, 2017 meeting and were approved (see below for 50% plans document). A public open house is planned for September 19, 2017 (see project announcements). 90% plans are expected to be presented at the September 21, 2017 BCWMC meeting. The project experienced multiple delays for various reasons including high water in the creek and the lack of ability to gain access to some areas from adjacent property owners. Construction got underway in late 2020 and was completed in December 2020. Vegetation establishment and management was performed throughout 2021 and into 2022. The final project report was submitted February 2022.

Project Funding | Grant Funded

The total cost of this project was approximately $782,000 which was funded over two years by the BCWMC's ad valorem tax levy via Hennepin County. $400,000 of the project cost was funded by the 2017 ad valorem tax levy and the balance was funded by the 2018 ad valorem tax levy. Hennepin County provided funding to develop a Response Action Plan (RAP) for the project. The BCWMC received $36,000 in grant funds from Hennepin County to help with the cost of properly disposing of contaminated sediments.

Project Description

The BCWMC, in cooperation with the City of Minneapolis, stabilized the streambanks to reduce erosion along Bassett Creek near the Fruen Mill and from Cedar Lake Road to the entrance of the Bassett Creek Tunnel.

The goals for the restoration in this area are:

Stabilizing the streambanks;
Reducing streambank erosion to reduce the amount of sediment and pollutants entering the stream and flowing downstream into the Mississippi River; and,
Improving stream habitat for fish and other aquatic life

A feasibility study for the project was completed in 2016 in order to: