Study Begins to Improve Portion of Bassett Creek in Golden Valley
The city of Golden Valley and the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission are teaming up to improve a more than mile-long stretch of Bassett Creek.
That stretch between Regent Avenue and Golden Valley Road has experienced erosion to creek banks. Officials say the erosion has impacted water quality, as well as the creek’s wildlife.
A feasibility study is underway to determine the best ways to improve the creek. The project will likely include installation of native vegetation to stabilize the banks and repairing creek beds to improve water flow in the middle of the creek.
“That does two things: it reduces the amount of sediment and the associated phosphorus and nutrients in that sediment that’s being eroded into the creek and degrading water quality,” said Laura Jester, administrator with the Bassett Creek Watershed Commission. “And then it also improves the habitat for bugs and macroinvertebrates and other critters that live in the creek or along its banks.”
Much of the project is along private property in Golden Valley, so it will require cooperation from residents. As a result, officials are doing outreach and collecting input from homeowners impacted by the project.
Example of erosion along Bassett Creek in Golden Valley
Construction, which would wouldn’t begin until next winter at the earliest, would be paid for through property taxes generated in the 40-square mile Bassett Creek Watershed area. There would be no special assessments to private property owners.
Jester said the project should improve the creek for decades to come.
“We’ve been doing bank stabilizations for the last 15-18 years. We hadn’t done this stretch yet, but we have done a lot of other stretches in Golden Valley,” said Jester.
Jester says one issue impacting water quality, pertinent with this week’s storm, is the overuse of deicing salt. She encourages residents to research driveway and sidewalk treatment alternatives.
“It only takes a teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. So use it sparingly on your driveways and sidewalks if at all,” said Jester.
Residents can review the project story map and share feedback by taking a survey or creating a comment on the interactive map. View the project story map here.
Also See: Hundreds of Carp Removed from Crystal Lake to Improve Water Quality
