Sauk River Streambank Stabilization and Dam Removal

The Whitney Park site on the Sauk River had a severely eroded outside bank. This steep slope along 450 feet of streambank has areas that are up to 30 feet in elevation. The City of St. Cloud approached the Stearns Conservation District for technical and financial assistance to address the problem. The SCD, along with the West Central Technical Service Area, designed a low impact approach to stabilizing the streambank.

The project involved constructing a toe wood bench and using field stone rock for stream barbs. In addition, when the slope was regraded, a native grass and wildflower seeding was completed. Trees and shrubs were also planted from potted stock. The entire site was covered with erosion control blanket to ensure stabilization. As a part of the project, the low head dam in the river upstream of the slope failure

was determined to be causing the streambank erosion problem and was removed.

Components:

• Field stone stream barbs

• Toe wood

• Sediment logs

• Erosion control blanket

• Native vegetation

Benefits:

• Sediment reduction

• Habitat value

• Water quality improvement

• Property protection

Pollution Reduction Estimates:

• Phosphorus: 389 lbs./yr

• Sediment: 388 tons/yr

Partners on the project included the City of St. Cloud, Stearns Conservation District, West Central TSA, MN DNR, and the Sauk River Watershed District.