1999 Spring Brook Committee report

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INTRODUCTIONSpringBrook is a coldwater trout stream, the only trout stream in RiceCounty

and one ofthe few in the state that have native brook trout. Because of this uniquefish population, the state Department ofNatural Resouces harvests fish eggs fromSpring Brook to help establish brook trout in other streams in the state. The brookdrains an agricultural area ofapproximately 7 square miles, startingnear 1-35 andending in the CannonRiver at the southwestern edge ofNorthfield. In addition toproviding a habitat for brook trout, it drains agricultural land and provides a scenicandwildlife corridor enjoyedby the residents of the area.

Land uses along the stream have been compatible with the survival of trout sofar, but future changes could affect the stream, including urban development,increased rural housing, changes in agricultural practices, gravel mining, etc. In orderto remain coldenoughfor trout, the stream depends on water soaking into the ground,then comingout through springs. I t also depends on the forest cover at its lower end'to keep thewater cool.

The creek's watershed (the land that drains into the creek) includes parts ofNorthfield, Dundas, and unincorporated areas ofBridgewaterTownship. The lastmileof the stream iswithin the planningboundaries for Northfield andDundas, which areboth rapidlygrowing communities. Because there were no imminent plans foractivities thatwould degrade the stream, there was an opportunity towork with thelocal residents to gauge their interest in protecting it and, if interest were shown, tomake plans for measures that would protect .the stream in the future.

In 1997 the Cannon RiverWatershed Partnership, with a 2-year grant from theLegislative Committee onMinnesota Resources, began working with a committeecomposedofloca1landowners, representatives of the various jurisdictions, fishingenthusiasts, and the Dept. ofNatural Resources. The committee learned about therequirements for trout streams, the local land use plans for the area, and ways inwhich streams can be protected. This report summarizes the status of the streamandwatershed, and the recommendations of the committee.

Funding to r this p r o j ~ was approved by the MN Legislature, ML 1997, Chapter ' 216, Sec, 15, Subd 17(b),as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Minnesota FutureResources Fund.

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Committeemembers:

Bruce Albers, Bridgewater Twp. supervisor, landowner.Dixon Bond, Northfield Economic Development AuthorityChip DeMann, Dundas Planning CommissionFrank GatesDr. David HalvorsonRodney Helgeson, landownerRoger Helgeson, landownerPat Rivers, DNR Fisheries (originally Desiree Hendricksen)Ron Kes, landownerTim Labs or Theresa Weninger, Rice Co. SWCDKen Prawer, landownerChris Robbins and Usa Lukis, Cannon R. Watershed PartershipMaryBeth Rogers, Rice Co. CommissionEugene Werner, landowner

Meetings were open to the public and other watershed residents who requestedinvitations were specifically notified of each meeting.

Meeting Schedule:

Why is Spring Brook a trout stream? What is its condition? What does it needin order to remain a trout stream?

July '97 - What makes a trout stream (Desiree Hendrickson, DNRFisheries)Sept. - Ditch management; DNR fisheries mgmt. (Roman Kalina, Rice Co.Ditch Inspector, Brad Carlson, Rice Co. Extension, Desiree Hendrickson,DNR)Oct. - Tour (Larry Gates and Desiree Hendrickson, DNR Fisheries)Nov. - Impacts of urbanization on trout streams (Annette Drewes, DNRMetro Trout Stream Coordinator)

What activites and plans affect the area? What do we want?Jan. '98 - County zoning, planning; township plans (Arlyn Grussing,Rice Co. zoning administrator; Bruce Albers, Bridgewater Twp.supervisor)


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Feb. - City zoning, planning (Kim Johnson, Northfield City Planner andChip DeMann, Dundas Planning Commission chair)March - Discussion on vision and goals (Larry Johnson)April- U. of M. Land Use study presented at the Northfield Library open to our committee and others.May - Continued discussion on vision and goals

How can our actions remain compatible with the survival of the trout stream?June - Landowner options (soil & water conservation, prevention andmanagement of ditch erosion, protecting land from development).Roman Kalina, Rice Co. Ditch Inspector; Theresa Weninger, Rice SWCD,and Jeanne Wright, MN Land Trust.July - Development Options to Minimize Stormwater Runoff (FredRozumalski, Barr Engineering) .Aug. - Discussion of next steps.Nov. - Stream monitoring results. Managing Land Use Impacts onstreams (John Hunt, Trout Unlimited)Jan. '99 - Sign letter of support for basic recommendations.


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PART ONE - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN INFLUENCES.

PhY8icalEnvironmentHydrology: The SpringBrook drainage area is approximately 7 sq. miles in size;located between two larger drainage basins (WolfCreek, 45 sq. mi. and Heath Creek,38 sq. mi.) in Rice county, MN. It flows from west to east. The upper 2/3 of thewatershed is drained by Co.Ditch 22, which was dug in 1948. The ditch joins thenatural creekjustnorth of 100th St.Spring Brook has significant recharge from springs, producing cold temperatures.Springs are found throughout the brook and ditch, especiallywest ofDeckerAve.where two branches of the brook come together. Based on monitoring during thesummer of 1998, he temperature of the ditch at 100th St. and Cates Ave. can reach700 F (the maximum for brook trout), but cools down by the time it reaches DeckerAve.Soil maps show hydric soils in the upper part of thewatershed where the ditch nowflows. Some ofthese former wetlands were fed by springs (nowdirected into tile lines).According to the Fish & Wildlife Service's NWI (NationalWetlands Inventory) map,several small wetlands still exist in the watershed, primarily in the flat upper reachesand along the creekwhere the land is seasonally flooded.

Gates Ave.

Hydricsoils

RA'.

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NORTHFIELD

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Geology: The surficial geologyis composed of thin glacial deposits, underlainbysedimentary rock. The upper layer ofbedrock is th e Prairie du Chien group, with alayer ofSt. Peter Sandstone over it at th e higher elevations. Limestone bluffs of th ePrairie du Chien are visible along th e lower part ofHeath Creek an d Spring Brook.West of Old Dutch Road, bluffs of white St. Peter sandstone ar e visible alongHeathCreek. St. Peter Sandstone caps some of th e low hills in the Spring Brook watershed.Gravel deposits can be found near the lower en d ofSpringBrook. In 1975 a gravelmine was proposed for th e area. Different geologists ha d different ideas about th esourcesof the springs i n t he creek and whether gravelminingwould affect them. Onereport said th at th e Jo rd an aquifer - below th e Prairie du Chien - was the source of th esprings because the potentiometric surface of this aquifer wa s at the surface. (Thewater was under pressure an d could rise to th e surface through artesian springs.)Another report said that the source of th e springs was likely sand an d gravelinclusions in the Prairie du Chien. Although it did receive a conditional use permit, th egravel pi t was no t developed.Soils: Most soils i n t he a re a are sand y loams developed on glacial till. Most ar eclassified as prime, with erodibilityas their major limitation. The low-lying pasturebetween Spring Brook an d Heath Creek, an d t he a re a along t he s ou th side ofHeath,ar e underlain by shallowbedrock.Topography: The topographyis primarily flat uplands, with ashallow escarpmentaround th e stream in its lower reach. The north side of t he s tr ea m h as a shallowerslope and wider woodedcorridor; while th e south side bluffis steeper an d closer to th ecreek.Vegetation: The entire SpringBrookwatershed was once part of th e BigWoods an dwas covered with dense forests ofmaple, basswood, elm a nd o ak interspersed withwetlands. Now th e vegetation is primarily agricultural crops, with scattered woodlotsthat ar e more prevalent in the western (upstream) end of th e watershed.The ditch is borderedby farm fields an d in some areas by grassed buffers. In onesmall stretch, it flows through a patch ofwoods. Willows and other shrubs have beenremoved from the ditch to keep it free-flowing.Awoodedcorridor ofvaryingwidth exists along th e stream. Th e widest woodedcorridor is between DeckerAve. an d Dundas Blvd. I t is sparse at both ends due tograzing, with a fewwillows remaining along th e banks. In the center, lighter grazingkeeps th e understory fairly open u nd er t he tree canopy. Buckthorn, an exoticinvasive shrub, is abundant.Significant n atu r al features/wildlife: Spring Brook is th e only trout stream inRice County and has a population ofwild brook trout. Eight other fish species havebeen found in Spring Brook, the most common being th e blacknose dace an d creekchub.

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Although the DNR has no records of stocking this stream, the story locally is thatbrook trout were brought there by the Schilling family some time between 1910 and1920. However, the contract of purchase drawn up in 1910 between the Schillingsand Joel Heatwolt, the previous owner, gave Heatwold permission to continue fishingthere - indicating that there may have been trout in the stream prior to the stocking.Most other trout streams in the state have been stocked with brown or rainbow troutat some time, leaving very fewnative brook trout populations intact. The DNR hasharvested eggs from SpringBrook fish in order to develop a breeding stock forrestoring brook trout to other streams in the state. DNA testing is under way to seewhether the brook trout in Spring Brook are different from those elsewhere in thestate.Otherwildlife using the watershed likelyinclude deer, smallmammals, reptiles,amphibians and birds that are common in agricultural landscapes. The size andqualityof the woodlands makes it unlikely that rare species would be found there.However, eagles that reportedly nest near the lower end ofHeath Creek may use thearea for foraging.Land UseCurrent use of land: In the watershed ofSpringBrook, the land use is agriculturalwith some rural residences. AroundHeath Creek there is some industrialdevelopment in the Armstrong Industrial Park. Rural subdivisions were developedalongHeath Creek near Old DutchRd. before the current county zoning ordinancewas adopted.SpringBrookcrosses under Dundas Blvd. and the railroad track before entering theCannon. Further north, between the road and the river, a yard waste composting siteand a city park (Sechler Park) are located.Nearlythe entire SpringBrookwatershed is in BridgewaterTownship in theunincorporated area ofRice County. The citylimits ofNorthfield run down DundasBlvd., so the mouth of the creek is in the city. About 100 acres of the stream'swatershed is in the northwest corner of the CityofDundas.Zoning/types of uses permitted: Bridgewater Township currently has no zoningauthority, but it is responsible for maintaining township roads and culverts, and forapproving or denying annexation requests. Townships have the power to adopt andadminister their own zoning ordinances if they can demonstrate the ability to do so.All townships in Dakota County and some in Goodhue County have their own zoningauthority, but no Rice County townships do.Rice Countyhas agricultural zoning, which limits rural residences to a low density.West ofDecker Ave., the County zoning is A (Agricultural). I t is A-I (Agricultural/Urban Expansion) east ofDecker. The S (Shoreland) district includes a 300-ft.corridor on each side of the creek.

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CountyShorelandZoning: The county's Shoreland district controls developmentwithin 300 ft. of streams and 1000 ft.. of lakes through setback requirements,controls on vegetation cutting, slope grading, etc. Shoreland rules apply only toDNR "protected waters," which are designated on ProtectedWaters maps.SpringBrook from 100th St. to it s mouth is designated a protected water. Thebranch that runs north from Dundas and meets themain branch ofSpringBrook near .Decker Ave. is a protected water north of 100th St. This tributarywas designated a protected water in 1996. TheDNR does not require countyshoreland zoning to be extended to this section, but the county can do itvoluntarily.According to the countyzoning ordinance, SpringBrook is a "tributary stream.ttSingle family residential is a conditional use, at the densities specified in theAgricultural zoning district (see below). Minimum lot size is 2.5 acres, and thesetback from the ordinary high watermark is 100 ft. for dwellings and accessorystructures (in unsewered areas). Except for agricultural and forest managementuses, clear-cutting and intensive vegetation clearing are not allowed. lmpervioussurface coverage oflots must not exceed 25% of the lot area.

ProtectedwatersWoodedcorridor

Cates Ave.NORTHFIELD

For agricultural uses, the ordinance says that "general cultivation farming,grazing, nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, sod farming and wild cropharvesting are permitted uses if steep slopes and shore and bluff impact zonesare maintained in permanent vegetation or managed under an approvedconservation plan..." (The shore impact zone is the land within 50 ft. of the.ordinary high watermark.) "Land within 300 ft. of the ordinaryhigh watermark,that is used for grazing of livestock shall be managed under a Soil andWaterConservation District approved Conservation Plan to control erosion ofshoreland and to protect the natural environment" (sec. 514.013 (b) 1).

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CountyAgricultural Zoning: The Agricultural (A)zone allows one farm dwellingand one rural residence per 1/4 - 1/4 section (about 40 acres); the lo t size maybeas small as 2.5 acres. Residential building is subject to certain conditions.Among the conditions is one designed to preventbuildingon prime farmland; itstates that the 1/4 - 1/4 section on which the rural residential dwelling is builtshall have a weighted average Crop Equivalency Rating (CER) of 65 or less.However, that provision is rarely implemented. Currently there are about 50residences in the SpringBrook watershed; ifbuilt out at allowable densities(assuming 30 of the current houses are farm dwellings and the 65 CER provisionis ignored), there would be approximately 140.Feedlots up to 1500 animal units are allowed in the Azone. In shorelands andfloodplains, no new or expanded feedlots are allowed (except existing ones canexpand up to 500 a.u. in the shorelands ofnatural environment lakes.)Setbacks for feedlots using liquid manure are 300 ft. from a protectedwatercourse for feedlots 10-300 a.u., and 500 ft. from a protected watercoursefor feedlots over 300 a.u. For feedlots using solid manure, the setbackfromprotected waters is 300 ft . for all feedlot sizes. Setbacks from other surfacewaters that are not protected waters, are 150 ft. for feedlots 10-300 a.u. and 300ft. for feedlots over 300 a.u. There are also setbacks from the municipalboundaries ofDundas andNorthfield, varyingfrom 1/4mile to 1mile dependingon the size and type of feedlot operation.Manure application setbacks from streams vary from 300 ft. to 750 ft.depending on the application method. For other surfacewaters and streamswith buffers, the setback varies from 75- 300 ft. For ditches, the setback is 16.5ft.Sand and gravel mines, demolition landfills, and agricultural equipmentsales areamong the conditional uses allowed in' theAdistrict.TheAgriculturallUrban Expansion (A-I) district is intended to retain land inagricultural production until it is economically feasible to provide adequate publicfacilities and services to the area. "It is intended that the status of all areas inthis district bereviewed, jointly, by the appropriate planningbodies who shalldetermine whether there should be a transfer of all or any part of such area tosome other appropriate land use, or to indicate any changes in the existing LandUse Plan for the particular political entity or change in the Capital Program ofthe community affecting this district" (Section 510.001). In the A-I district,residential dwellings on 35 acre lots are permitted. Feedlot standards are thesame as in theA zone. Sand and gravel mines are among the conditional usesallowed.CityPlanning: The area east ofDeckerAve. is part ofNorthfield IS plannedurban boundary, in which it can do comprehensive planning. The area up to amile and a halfwest ofDecker is part ofDundas's planned urban boundary. Thismeans that approximatelyhalfof the Spring Brook watershed is within planned

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urban boundaries. Th e Northfield comprehensive plan (1988) shows industrialuse in t he enti re sector between Dundas Blvd. and Decker Ave., with open spacealong th e stream corridors. A parcel south of Spring Brook, at th e corner ofDundas Blvd. an d 100th St. E., is considered by th e Economic DevelopmentAuthority (EDA) as a future industrial site, bu t current lack of infrastructurea nd t he sensitivity of th e trout stream a re m ak in g it a long-range option.The consultant on the industrial development study suggested that t he a re abetween the two creeks be residential, because it is so scenic. (The area on highground overlooks the Cannon River towards downtown.) Th e Northfieldcomprehensive plan is i n t he process of revision.Th e portion of th e Spring Brook watershed that is within the city limits ofDundas is dsignated rural residential (5-acre lots). Dundas has n ot y et doneplanning within it s planned urban boundary......DNRRsherieseasement,

D u n d a ~urban .........expansionboundary

Gates

RR.J1i--..,.......--_..........

T rout St ream Regulations: Th e portion of Spring Brook in sections 2 and 3 ofBridgewater Twp. became a designated trout stream in 1980. The portion inSection 4 was designated in 1992. In a designated trout stream, th e taking offish is prohibited except during t he open season (the Saturday nearest April 15till Sept. 30 in this area). Not more than one line ma y be used for angling a t an ytime. Minnows ma y not be taken from th e s tr ea m, n or c an live minnows be usedas bait (MN Rules sec. 6262.04).DNR Easements: In th e 1970s th e DNR purchased perpetual easements alonga 3/4 mile stretch of stream on both sides of DeckerAve. T he easement s ar e 66ft. wide on each side of the stream. The purpose of th e easements is lito permitth e development offish habitat, including tree planting, fencing, erosion control,installation ofinstream structures, posting of signs, a nd o th er s uc h

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improvements as are deemed necessary;" and lito permit angling by the public. IILandowners must keep tillage at least 45 ft. back from the center line of thestream and may not cut trees, dump, burn, or change the stream course. Theowners may continue to fish, cross the stream, and use the water for stockwatering and other purposes.Formore information on the various governmental bodieswith jurisdiction overthe Spring Brook watershed, see the Summary ofJurisdictional Roles at the endof this report (Attachment A).

Historic and CulturalResourcesTheMinnesota StateHistoric Preservation Officehas no reports of historic orcultural resources in the watershed area. According to a letter from the StateHistoric Preservation Officedated Feb. 3, 1999, three examples ofearthworks ormounds have been found in Section 11 and one in Section2 ofBridgewaterTownship.The exact locations ofthose archaeological sites are not disclosed.CommunityRecreationExistingfacilities: SechlerPark is a large city park located between ArmstrongRd.and the Cannon River . The mouth ofHeath Creek is at the southern edge of thepark, but the creek and river are notmajor features of the park. Themain purpose ofthe park is to provide playing fields. There is a trail from the intersection of5th St.andHwy3 through Sechler Park, connecting to the Mill Towns Trail which runs alongthe ditch in Dundas Blvd. A trail bridge was constructed across SpringBrook in 1998.The DNR did not allow the culvert under the road to be extended due to it s effect onfish habitat; consequently, The Mill Towns Trail, CannonRiver WatershedPartnership, and City ofNorthfield raised funds to construct the bridge.Recreation Needs: Northfield requires a 10%parkdedication or cash donation fromdevelopers, so if the area around the creeks were developed as residential, this setaside could be used to help acquire the land. There is currentlyno set-aside requiredfor industrial and commercial development.Although Northfield has manyparks and is developing a trail network, it has noextensive public greenways along streams and rivers. The Cowling Arboretum is agreenway along the Cannon River and Spring Creek that is owned by CarletonCollege, and is verypopular for running, walking and cross-country skiing. (Note:Spring Creek is on the east side oftown and is different from SpringBrook.) St. OlafCollege has trails through its restored prairie, woodland andwetlands that are alsopopular. The City's comprehensive plan shows open space alongHeath Creek andSpringBrook, but the Park Development Plan (1995) shows no parks there. InFebruary, 1999, the Cty Council adopted a trail plan that shows extensive networksof trails within the neighborhoods, alongmajor roads, and alonggreenwaycorridors.6/29/99 7 ,


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Unpaved trails are shown along the north sides of both SpringBrook and HeathCreek in this plan.

Access and TransportationExisting access: Co.Rei. 1 (MillersburgBlvd.)bisects the watershed ofSpringBrookfrom west to east. On the west it has an interchange with 1-35and on the east it goesthrough Dundas. (The drainage area for Spring Brook begins just east ofl-35.) Thetwo paved roads in the watershed are Co. Rd. 1, a county state-aid road, and DundasBlvd. (Co.Rd. 78). The remainder of the roads in the watershed are gravel townshiproads. .Access to the lower part of SpringBrook is from Dundas Blvd., DeckerAve. andlOOthSt. E. A railroadtrack runs parallel to Dundas Blvd. on the CannonRiver side,and this is one reason why the area around the creeks has been considered desirablefor industrial development.There is no boating on the creek, since it is too small. However, the DNR easementsallow access for angling and for fisheries management.Transportationplans: The Northfield draft transportationplan proposes a bridgecrossing the Cannon River and linking up toDundas Blvd. (called ArmstrongRd.further north), to become a major connector between housing on the other side of theCannon River and Hwy 19 heading toward 1-35. The bridge may goacross SechlerPark, or it may be pushed southward to cross between Heath Creek and SpringBrook, or near lOOth St. E.In the future, Decker Ave. and 100th St. E. may be paved and Dundas Blvd. may bewidened. Long-range transportation plans may include a road between the twocreeks and one crossingHeath.Other InfrastructureExistingutilities: Water and sewer 'service do not currentlyextend to the SpringBrook watershed. The sewer line connectingDundas to Northfield is on the other sideof the Cannon River .Future utility plans: The Cityof Northfield has a sewer plan and a surface waterplan, neither ofwhich has been formally adopted by the council. The sewer planshows a sewer line down the corridors ofboth SpringBrook and Heath Creek, crossingthe creeks at some points. The surface water plan shows proposed ponding areas forstormwater. These two plans are based on the comprehensive plan and assume thatthe area will be industrial.The City ofDundas has recently installed sewer, water and storm sewer in its existing6/29/99 8


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developed areas and the lands immediately adjacent. A new l60-unit subdivision isunder construction just east of the SpringBrook watershed boundary, but there areno current plans for extending sewers into the SpringBrook watershed.

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PART TWO - GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

TroutStreamProtectionReguirementsDuring the.first fewmonths of the Committee's work, information about trout streamprotection was gathered and summarized (see "Trout Stream ProtectionRequirements,"AttachmentB). Chiefamong these requirements are the need forcold water, clean water, stable flows, lack offish barriers, and a streambedwith arocky or cobble bottom rather than silt. The maintenance of brook trout in thestream is not only a one-species strategy, but also an indication that the stream andwatershed are in a relatively healthy state.A look at the effects of urbanization (Attachment C) quickly shows that uncontrolleddevelopment is incompatiblewith trout stream survival. Rural impacts can also besevere ifpollution or disruption offlowrates are the result. Good land usemanagement, however, can prevent stream damage (see Attachment D).

Goals for the Stream andWatershedAfter looking at the development plans for the area, outlined in Part 1, and therequirements for stream protection, committee members consideredwhether andhow to protect the stream. The consensus was to allow development that iscompatible with stream protection, to protect the stream corridor as open space, tomaintain agriculture in the upper part of the watershed, and to promote resourceprotection and BMPs throughout the watershed. Two alternative "visions of thewatershed in 2050" were considered - one describing a permanent open space optionand the other a controlled development option. The second one, which was favored bythe participants, is included as AttachmentE. Interviews with several landownersnot participating in the meetings confirmed support for that general idea. There wasno support for extensive industrial development surrounding the creek, butlandowners wished to retain the option ofdeveloping their land when the time comesin a way that will not damage the creek.

Plans for the FuturePlanning for the future involves protectingboth the stream and the quality oflife forresidents, landowners and citizens.Although development of the areas near Northfield and Dundas maybemany yearsaway, plans that are put in place now can have major impacts on that development.Changes neededwill involve altering the expansion plans for the City ofNorthfield andincorporating standards for streets, sewers, stormwater and housing layouts thathave not been previously used in this area - for example: narrower streets, clusteredhousing, stormwater conveyance and infiltration without storm sewers, and6/29/99 10


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buffer establishment.5. Fish populations, stream stablity, temperature, and water quality will beassessed based on monitoring data. Landowners, jurisdictions and citizens willbe kept informed ofthe condition ofthe stream.

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Cities ofNorthfield andDundas Plan for land use and transportation in the city andwithin the planned urbanboundary. Offer comments on conditional use permits in unincorporated areas within theUrban Expansion Zone around. the city. Annex propertyinto the city: Zone the density and type ofdevelopment in the city. Set requirementsregarding subdivisions, streets, parking, drainage, etc. Provide water, sewer and storm sewer service. Build and maintain streetsystem. Issue buildingpermits and conduct inspections. Administer shoreland, floodplain andWild and Scenic River rules as part ofzoningordinance. Acquire parkland and trails through purchase, donation, or easement. Designate areas to be se t aside as parkland, roads, etc. in future development. Require erosion control and stormwater management measures in newdevelopments. Provide assistance to businesses locating or expanding within the city.

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fJ

TROUT STREAM PROTECTION REQUIREMENTSA. MAINTAIN STABLE FLOWS(Minimize surface runoff and main tain g rou nd w ater recharge)

1. Limit pavement in th e watershed.2. Keep urban stormwater ou t of th e stream. Divert it an d/o r infiltrate it into th eground.3. Do no t increase ag drainage flows into th e stream to th e point where th estream is damaged. (Find ou t how much can be tolerated. If this is "exceeded ,compensate with increased water storage elsewhere.)4. Restore an d maintain wetlands, trees an d grasslands in th e watershed.5. Use conservation tillage.6. Do no t deplete groundwater supplies through excessive pumping, or placingsewers or storm sewers near th e creek.B. KEEPWATERCOLD1. Keep trees along stream banks for shade.2. Limit pavement in th e watershed.3. Do no t block stream flow.4. Do not use stormwater ponds (they warm up the water).C. KEEP WATER QUALITY AND OXYGEN LEVElS HIGH1. Use herbicides responsibly: Avoid aerial spraying, use b ra nd s t ha t ar e no ttoxic to aquatic life (e.g. Rodeo), an d paint cut stumps rather than spraying.2. Do no t allow fertilizer, manure , septic system effluent, or waste materials toenter the stream.3. Maintain a grassed buffer along th e ditch an d a wooded buffer along th estream.4. Protect biologically sensitive areas in th e watershed.5. Use landscaping methods that allow for infiltration an d redu ce ru no ffpollution.D. PREVENT EROSION, SEDIMENTATION, AND CHANNEL DISRUPTION

1. Use erosion control measures on farm land.2. Require erosion control at construction sites.3. Do no t do construction around the creek at spawning time.4. Do no t clean th e ditch at spawning time (fall an d winter) - May & June ar ebest.5. Repair washouts an d eroded banks.6. Maintain a grass buffers along th e ditches an d a wooded buffer along th ecreek.7. Prevent runoff from gravel mining.8. Use bridges instead of culverts in th e creek. (If culverts ar e necessary, designthem to minimize effect on habitat.)9. Do no t excavate or place structures in the stream channel unless needed toimprove habitat.E. PIAN AHEAD AND INVOLVE THE PUBLIC

1. Use watershed-based land use planning.2. Maintain a public education program.3. Monitor water q u ality a n d quantity.4. Provide incentives for reducing imperviousness.5. Provide options for landowners to voluntarily make improvements or toprovide permanent protection for th e land.2/16/98


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..SitePlIlnning for Urban Stream Protection

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH URBAN STREAMSChanges in stream hydrology Changes in stream morphologyIncreased magnitude/frequency of severe Channel widening and downcuttingfloods

Streambank erosionIncreased frequency of erosivebankfull andsub-bankfull floods Channel scourReduced groundwater recharge Shifting bars of coarsesediments

Higherflow velocities duringstormevents Imbedding of streamsubstrateLossof pool/riffle structureStream enclosure or channelization

Changes in stream water quality Changes in stream ecologySediment pulseduringconstruction Shift from external productionto internalproduction.Nutrient loadspromote streamand lake algalgrowth Reduced diversity of aquatic insectsBacterial contamination duringdry and wet Reduced diversity of fishweather

Creation of barriersto fish migrationHigherloadsof organicmatterDegradation of wetlands, riparianzonesandHigherconcentrations of metals, springshydrocarbons, and prioritypollutants

Stream warming Decline in amphibian populations

Trashand debrisjams

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Site PI4nn/ng fOT urlHJi,Strt!llltl Protedio"

One such approach is described below. Thelocal stream protection strategy has sevenprimary components that roughly correspondto normal stages of the development cycle(Fig. 3).

1. Watershed-based zoningThe future quality of an urban stream isfundamentally determined by the broad landuse decisions made by a community. It is

FIGURE3: THE STREAM PROTECI10NSTRATEGY AND THELOCAL DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

The SI!VeIf elements ofan ejfectfve localstnam protection strategy roughly follow each stap oftM dnelopmentcycle _from zoning. planning. site design, construction, stabilization. andfinal occupancy,

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.Stream Protection Through Land Use ManagementJohn Hunt, P.E.

6121832-2777I. IntroductionII. Trout Streams as a Resource

A. Relatively Rare for tbis Part of StateB. Increased Emphasis on NativeIWild Species (Brook Trout)C. Coldwater Ecosystem is about more than just Trout

III. Priorities for Stream ProtectionA. Baseline Assessment of Stream (Hydrologically, Channel Morphology,Biological Integrity)B. Assessment of Stream's Ultimate vs . Desired PotentialC. Does the stream need improvement, protection, or both to reach potential?

IV. Stream RehabilitationA. Identify limiting factors from baseline survey, address those firstB. In-channel work must be compatible with stream morphology and hydrology

V. Stream ProtectionA. Individual Landowner Options

a. Permanent Acquisition (Eagle Creek)b. Permanent Easements (Brown's Creek, Duschee Creek)c. Private Land Use Decisions (Rotational Grazing, Buffer Strips)B. Watershed Scale Options

a. Set-back Ordinances (Vermillion River, Riley-Purgatory Creeks, ValleyCreek)b. Innovative Stormwater Management (Eagle Creek, Brown's Creek)c. Alternative Lawn Project (Eagle Creek)

VI. SummaryA. Well-Planned Development can be Compatible with ResourceB. Innovative and/or Non-traditional Designs or Methods are Critical


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e.. . Il ... II.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPRING BROOKWATERSHED IN 2050The Spring Brook watershed is primarily a rural area on the outskirts of Northfieldand Dundas. The upper part of the watershed is a prosperous farming area withscattered woodlots, wetlands and rural residences. The soils and ditch are wellmanaged so that erosion is minimized and the ditch rarely has to be cleaned ou t. Theditch has a grassed buffer along its banks, and most of the fields have good residuecover , grassed waterways and other conservation pract ices. Some of the woods andwetlands are in programs such as RIM that provide some long-term protection.Feedlots are also well managed to prevent nutrients from entering the ditch. There isa commercial area around the interchange of Hwys 35 and 1, but it does not extendinto the Spring Brook watershed.Flood damage has been minimized by restoring some of the wetlands in thewatershed, making sure bridges are large enough , and preventing development inthe floodplain.The lower end of the watershed is in Northfield and Dundas . The stream corridorfrom Dundas Blvd. to 100th St. is a park with a trail along it. This trail connects to anetwork of other trails and is a popular scenic attraction. There is no o ther activerecreation next to the creek, but limited fishing takes place, and the creek is notoverfished. A naturally-reproducing population of brook trout live in the creek.Other wildlife and birds are often seen in the stream corridor, and they use it to moveback and forth to the Cannon River.Housing has been bui lt away from the creek in clusters to minimize paved surfaces,and additional trees and prairie vegetat ion have been planted between the creek andthe homes. This open space area is protected with conservation easements.Srormwater is managed through infiltration and overland flow, so there is no pipeddischarge to the stream and no need for holding ponds.By mutual agreement, the cities, township and county have decided to design andlocate roads and utili ties to minimize impacts to the creek. Consequently, sewers donot run along the stream, the bridges allow fish passage, and the road ditches aredesigned so that runoff is collected and filtered before entering th e creek.Impervious surfaces in the watershed are kept below 400 acres.

This vision o f t he S pr in g Brook watershed in 2050 is based on commentsmade by p a r t i c i p a n t s in th e S p ri ng B ro ok C o mm it te e' s d is cu ss io ns .


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< : ) ~.s'TR IAL DR

July 6, 2009

.. Civic UseWaterPreserve

i.:"JCity Boundaryi.:"JPriority GrowthArear:::: UrbanExpansion AreaC"J Cityof Dundas

PRAWER174.6 acres

Legend'ClAnnexation Request

Environmentally Significant Area_ Core Enhancement_ Neighborhood Conservation_ Corridor Redevelopment

Managed GrowthConservat ion DevelopmentPipeline

_ Infill Sites_ Redevelopment/Intensification Sites

Developed Land in City

!I..---..-------.'_ ..- .__ ..

GILL94.4 acres

GILL4.9 acres

PRAWER119.3 acres

CONSERVATI ON & DEVELOPMENTNORTHFIELD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

:I.i- -_ . . -_PAA"WEit

54.1 acres

_::::::::II_-=::::::::::I.._Feelo 250 500 750 1,000

Prawer/Gill AnnexationRequestPIl): 0703175001 ,07031 75002,0702300001 , 0703400001 ,

0702350001, 0702351001


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July 6, 2009

-- Existing Trail/SidewalkWaterEnvironmentally Significant AreaM Preserve

..

Rural

LegendI::l Annexation RequestContext_ Core

Center_ Corridor

DistrictEducational District

9;4.'1acresGill!.:

P.RAWER - - I ~ - - - . t t 7 r . t ! i i ' e r ; s _ , -119.3 acres

RRAWER

.

_...- ....... ..

FRA!\


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33

N 4 Hospita l

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36

PRAWER54.1 acres

NWWcu r

PTaNer/G illAnnexatbnRequa

PID : 0703175001,0703175002,0702300001,0703400001,0702350001,0702351001

12Legend1999 Annexation Agreement

Priority Growth AreaC Urban ExpansionAreaIZ] City HospitalCZl City Facilities

Open SpaceParkCarleton CollegeS1. Olaf College

11

PRAWER174.6 acres

GILL94.4 acres

PRAWER119.3 acres

109

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1999 Spring Brook Committee report

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