stream restoration – East Metro Water

Brown’s Creek winds its way toward cleaner water

By: angiehongmn August 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Buckthorn, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

This summer, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District completes a large-scale stream restoration project, designed to reduce bank erosion, manage floodwaters during large rain events, and improve habitat for fish along a half-mile stretch of Brown’s Creek that flows between McKusick Ave. and the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

Members of the community are invited to view and learn about the Brown’s Creek stream restoration during a tour on Aug. 12 (6:30pm) and a community festival on Sept. 20 (10am-1pm).

Heritage Brook Trout Return to Afton

By: angiehongmn October 4, 2024October 2, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, Uncategorized, WildlifeAfton State Park, featured, fishing, Minnesota DNR, south washington watershed district, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

Next week, Trout Brook in Afton will welcome its very own community of heritage brookies, thanks to a multi-year effort to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat.

Carrying stories around the bend – A restoration tale from Rice Creek

By: angiehongmn October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievementsfeatured, Rice Creek, rice creek watershed district, stream restoration, wild riceLeave a Comment

When the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant closed in 2005, it created an opportunity for Ramsey County to restore the surrounding landscape and for Rice Creek Watershed District to nurse the neglected stream back to good health.

Brown’s Creek takes a few twists and turns for the better

By: angiehongmn May 13, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Buckthorn, Partners and Updates, WildlifeBrown's Creek, featured, fishing, Stillwater, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

This week, Brown’s Creek Watershed District begins work on a stream restoration project designed to reduce bank erosion and improve habitat for fish along a half-mile stretch of water that flows between McKusick Ave. and the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

A new future for an old stream?

By: angiehongmn November 21, 2023

Aquatic BiologyCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, History, Marine on St. Croix, Mill Stream, St. Croix River, stream restoration2 Comments

The Mill Stream powered Minnesota’s first commercial saw mill and gave rise to the community of Marine on St. Croix in 1839 –two full decades before Minnesota became a state. Now, nearly 200 years later, the people of Marine are beginning to dream about a new future for this tiny but beloved stream.

After 100 years underground, Phalen Creek will finally see the light

By: angiehongmn January 13, 2022January 13, 2022

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesfeatured, Lake Phalen, Lower Phalen Creek Project, Mississippi River, Phalen Creek, stream restoration1 Comment

Lower Phalen Creek Project, a Native-Led, East Side environmental organization, has secured $2.8 million in funding from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council to begin daylighting Phalen Creek.

Brown’s Creek Watershed District to work with Oak Glen Golf Course on a new Clean Water project

By: angiehongmn August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water ConservationBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, stormwater pollution, stormwater reuse, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

There are three main goals for the Oak Glen stormwater reuse project. The first is to keep warm stormwater out of Brown’s Creek. The second is to keep phosphorus and sediment out of Brown’s Creek and the St. Croix River. In addition, this project will allow Oak Glen Golf Course to reduce the amount of groundwater it pumps for irrigation.

Meandering in the woods

By: angiehongmn June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventures, Partners and UpdatesAfton Alps, Afton State Park, designated trout stream, featured, hiking with kids, south washington watershed district, St. Croix River, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

There is an art to meandering in the woods. For Trout Brook and other naturalized streams, the “wiggles” allow for different types of habitat that fish need.

Sometimes people need a pause to wander in the woods as well.