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The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents June 2015 <br />T he Rice Creek Watershed District <br />(RCWD) was awarded a Clean <br />Water Fund Grant from the Clean <br />Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, in <br />the amount of $3,000,000, to complete <br />a series of projects designed to clean up <br />Long Lake. One of these projects, the <br />Middle Rice Creek Meander Restoration <br />Project, is currently in the design phase. <br />Nearly 2,000 feet of new stream will be <br />created as a result of this project. <br />Middle Rice Creek is located between <br />Baldwin Lake in Circle Pines and Long <br />Lake in New Brighton. The segment of <br />Rice Creek between County Road I and <br />I-35W in Arden Hills—formerly part of <br />the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, <br />and currently being redeveloped as Rice <br />Creek Commons—is being targeted as a <br />restoration area. Additional restoration <br />and stabilization work may occur on up- <br />or-downstream segments, depending on <br />budget. It is also worth noting that <br />a similar project was successfully <br />completed by the RCWD just north <br />of this area in Shoreview. <br />Middle Rice Creek has been altered <br />dramatically over the years. The <br />creek was straightened in the early <br />1900s, presumably for agricul- <br />tural purposes, and since that time, <br />development has begun crowding <br />the stream. The two photos at right <br />show Middle Rice Creek before <br />and after it was straightened. You <br />can see the natural winding path <br />of the stream in the 1938 image. <br />Before being straightened, Rice <br />Creek had many twists and turns <br />which kept water moving slowly. <br />Slower moving water means less <br />erosion of the stream bank and bed. <br />The goals of this project are first to restore <br />a more natural, meandering path, and then <br />to stabilize stream banks with native plants <br />and trees. Past studies and experience <br />have shown that these steps will lead to <br />improved habitat for aquatic life in Middle <br />Rice Creek. <br />Middle Rice Creek flows into Long Lake, <br />and estimates suggest that about 107 tons <br />of sediment are washing into the lake each <br />year as a result of erosion. As sediment <br />moves downstream, it carries phosphorous <br />with it. Phosphorous fuels algae growth, <br />which, in high amounts, gives lakes an <br />unpleasant green color and smell during <br />the heat of summer. Recreation, aesthetics, <br />and habitat are all expected to improve in <br />Rice Creek and Long Lake as a result of <br />this project. <br />Construction of the new channel is expect- <br />ed to occur in the winter of 2015-2016. <br />Plans outlined for restoration of Middle Rice Creek and Long Lake <br />Once complete, the new channel will be <br />offline (or without water) for one year to <br />allow plants to become established. In the <br />winter of 2016-2017, the old channel will <br />be filled, and water will begin flowing <br />through the new channel. The new channel <br />will provide deep, slow-moving pools and <br />shallow riffles for aquatic life to thrive. <br />The RCWD is working closely with <br />Ramsey County Parks and Recreation staff <br />to keep residents informed about the proj- <br />ect. Short and long-term signage will be <br />posted at key trail entrances, and a canoe <br />trip is planned in partnership with Friends <br />of the Mississippi River once the project <br />has been completed. <br />Please visit RCWD’s website (www. <br />ricecreek.org) or consider following us <br />on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ <br />ricecreekwd) to monitor progress on this <br />and other exciting projects. <br />by Jessica Bromelkamp, Rice Creek Watershed District