Willow Creek Restoration

In the 1950's, Willow Creek was channelized across a 100-acre parcel south of Rochester, Minnesota.

MFRA and the landowner advocated a natural, meandering stream channel that used parts of the drainage ditches and added several meander beds. This approach improved flood storage and maintained nearby wetland hydrology. The new channel banks will be stabilized with a combination of bioengineering techniques and native prairie seeding.

An additional 47 acres will be restored and preserved as a native prairie and floodplain while allowing for a continued mining operation and future commercial development.