TThe SCWMO is one partner in a project being headed by the City of Fridley to improve Sprinbrook. The project is focused upon the Springbrook Nature Center Area, where storm water from the surrounding urbanized watershed enters an impoundment. The water entering the nature center area has two problems:
This multi-year project began with studies to better understand the water quality and hydrology problems. Then, using this new knowledge, management strategies have been implemented to work toward correcting the problems.
One strategy was to draw down water levels in the impoundment for several years to promote the recovery of aquatic vegetation that had been previously decimated by large pulses of storm water and sediment. The vegetation is recovering well, and the ecological value of the impoundment within the Nature Center has grow considerably.
Another management action, taking place in the spring of 2005, is major restoration of the stream that enters the Nature Center from the east. Previously, the stream was badly eroded and degraded. Through this project the stream is being re-meandered, erosion is being corrected, and new infrastructure to handle storm water pulses is being installed. The new infrastructure includes several water control structures to prevent downcutting, as well as a diversion mechanism to prevent massive storm water pulses from damaging the stream in the future.
Photos from Springbrook Restoration and Realignment - Spring 2005
