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Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Repairs

Heavy rains in June 2014 caused high flow rates in Nine Mile Creek that resulted in damage to the banks of the creek and surrounding areas. Repairs are scheduled for late summer or early fall 2015, when stream flow is historically lower. The work will involve six sites as shown on the project map. The work will be done using methods that mimic natural conditions and provide habitat along the stream banks. The sites are as follows:
  • Site 1A – Trail relocation, stream bank stabilization, and grading
  • Site 1B – Pedestrian bridge stabilization and grading
  • Site 2 – Trail repair, restoration, and grading
  • Site 3 – Trail repair, restoration, and grading
  • Site 4 – Bank stabilization and grading
  • Site 5 – Trail relocation, stream bank stabilization, and grading

Check back here for updates or contact Steve Gurney, Water Resource Specialist at 952-563-4606.

Updates

Throughout the project, updates will be provided via this website, the project updates listed below, and through E-Subscribe.

June 2016

June 10, 2016

The Lower Valley Project was completed the first week of June. The trail was paved in May, followed by the native plantings and the access trail restoration. The City administered the construction project partnering on bio-engineering design expertise from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Barr Engineering. The project used many fallen trees and other natural materials to create engineered log-jams to minimize the use of rip-rap in the stabilization of the creek banks. Bridge footings were reinforced and sections of the trail repaired, all of which was a result of heavy flows from June 2014 storms. Hennepin County and FEMA will reimburse most of the construction costs.

May 2016

May 3, 2016

The construction access paths have firmed up from the spring thaw and it’s time to wrap up this project. Trail grading, paving and restoration will start Wednesday, May 4, and should take a day or two. Native plantings, seeding and access path restoration will be completed in May. The trail will be closed between Harrison Park and W. 106th St. during active grading and paving activities, other closures will occur when equipment is present for the planting operations. Trail closures will posted along the trail or at major entrances.

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January 2016

January 7, 2016


Work has been suspended for the rest of winter. The trails have been graded and areas shaped for continued public use and anticipated spring high-water. Informational signs directing interested trail users to the City website will be left in place until final restoration in late spring.

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December 2015

December 30, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925) 
The Contractor continues creek and trail work south of the 106th Street Bridge, adding rock vanes, root wads and some rip rap along a long bend that has had significant erosion over the years. The Contractor is expected to complete the creek work, minor trail realignment, gravel resurfacing and temporary restoration in the next week or two. Signs warning trail users are located near the trail bridge just south of 106th Street, at the James Road access point and to the south of the work site.

November 2015

November 20, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
The Contractor continues to work at the three sites between Harrison Park and 106th Street Bridge as weather allows. Access is from Harrison Park and from Humboldt, near 104th Street. Due to the rains over the last couple weeks, the bituminous trail sections will be left gravel and paved in the spring. Trail closures will be required in the active construction areas. Work at sites south of 106th Street will start following restoration (other than paving) of the current work areas. The Project is expected to continue into early winter as weather allows, with final completion and restoration in spring 2016.

November 16, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
The Contractor has started work on Site 3, which is just upstream of the 106th Street Bridge. An access path from Humboldt Avenue South, near 104th Street, will be reinforced with wood chips to prevent damage to the wet and soft soils. Work at this site includes rip rap bank stabilization and trail repairs. The trail will be signed as closed in the construction area, and major entry points will be posted to notify trail users of the closure. If weather holds the trail section is expected to be paved yet this season. The Project is expected to continue into early winter as weather allows, with final completion and restoration in spring 2016.

November 6, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
Crews continue with some bank stabilization, trail bridge maintenance and trail restoration at Site 1 which is downstream of Harrison Park. The crews will move south following completion of Site 1, to Sites 2 and 3, which are just north of the W. 106th Street Bridge. Access will be off Humboldt Avenue near 104th Street. Work at these sites includes trail bridge abutment protection, bank stabilization and trail repairs. Trail closures will be required in the active construction areas, and major entry points will be posted to notify trail users of the closures. The Project is expected to continue into early winter as weather allows, with final completion and restoration in spring 2016.

October 2015

October 30, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
Crews began creek stabilization work on Site 1, which is just downstream from the Harrison Park access point. Progress has been a little slow due to the recent rains which increased the Creek flow. The Project will utilize natural material stream stabilization methods of rock veins, tree root wads and “engineered log-jams” to redirect the flow into the center of the channel and protect the bank from erosion without full hard armoring. The Project will move south as segments of the work is completed. Partial trail closures will be required in the active construction areas, and major entry points will be posted to notify trail users of the closures. Full restoration of plant materials is expected in spring 2016.

October 23, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
Crews moved in during the middle of the week of October 19 to prepare for Bank Stabilization Project. Trail closures between Harrison Park and W. 106th Street will begin October 26. The Project will utilize natural material stream stabilization methods of rock veins, tree root wads and “engineered log-jams” to redirect the flow into the center of the channel and protect the bank from erosion without full hard armoring. The Project will move south as segments of the work are completed. Partial trail closures will be required in the active construction areas, and major entry points will be posted to notify trail users of the closures. Full restoration of plant materials is expected in spring 2016.

September 2015

September 11, 2015

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Stabilization (Project 2015-925):
Repairs to the Creek Banks and trails are anticipated to start in the week of October 19. The Project includes work at five sites to restore erosion damage following the June 2014 storms, with partial funding from FEMA and a cost share partnership with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. The somewhat consistent rains over the summer have kept flows at or above normal for this time of year, and with the 30 day outlook calling for above normal precipitation the schedule is tentative. The Project will utilize natural material stream stabilization methods of rock veins, tree root wads and “engineered log-jams” to redirect the flow into the center of the channel and protect the bank from erosion without full hard armoring. Partial trail closures will be required in the active construction areas, and major entry points will be posted to notify trail users of the closures. Full restoration of plant materials is expected in spring 2016.

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