In 2022, a Restoration and Land Management Plan was developed for Willow Creek Preserve, owned by Glacial Lakes Conservancy (GLC). During the creation of the plan, severe erosion of gulley was identified at a MS4 culvert outfall discharging onto the Preserve. The erosion was depositing sediment at the base of the gulley and damaging the functionality of a downstream floodplain wetland. In 2024, AQUALIS designed a step pool conveyance system (SPC) to stabilize the eroded gulley, and Native Range Ecological, LLC created a restoration plan for the damaged downstream wetland. SPC design was chosen for this project because it prioritizes stormwater infiltration, reduces erosion, improves water quality and native habitats, and provides overall site safety. The project required balancing distinct objectives between the upper and lower extent of the conveyance, requiring multiple types of wetlands permits, while protecting surrounding high-quality wetlands. This workshop will showcase the details of the SPC design and wetland restoration, as well as highlight key challenges and provide guidance in navigating the complexities of a project with interconnection of stormwater and wetlands.

Workshop Host: AQUALIS