North Fork Rush Creek Remeander Study
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The Commission and the City of Rogers evaluated the feasibility of a project on a portion of the North Fork of Rush Creek in Rogers between Fletcher Lane and Brockton Lane to stabilize banks, improve water quality, enhance aquatic habitat, and reintroduce some of the natural meanders that existed prior to ditching and channelization. The impetus for this was the now-completed acquisition by Rogers of a large tract of high-quality maple-basswood forest known as Steig Woods, which had been owned and preserved by the Steig family for over a century. The City intends to manage the site as open space with limited access and is interested in enhancements to the surrounding area. The woods are south of the current alignment of the Creek. A future Three Rivers Park District Regional Trail is planned to pass through the site. There are a number of variables constraining the potential re-meandering, including a major electric power lines on tall pylons, wetlands and floodplains; some moderate to high quality natural areas that must be protected; and a potential future extension of County Road 117 across the site. The study established two options for further review.: One would simply replicate the original meander pattern that existed prior to ditching. The second would add step pools to a re-meandered stream to provide habitat variety and complexity and increase habitat quality and biodiversity. This study was intended to identify options for further review as development and highway/trail projects proceed. No date for this work has yet been scheduled. Download the report: North Fork Rush Creek Remeander Feasibility Report |
This work is funded by a grant from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and by the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission.
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One option is to re-meander parts of the stream between constructed step pools.
