Deprecated: Using ${var} in strings is deprecated, use {$var} instead in /var/www/at/mcwd/public/site/plugins/gravityforms/includes/fields/class-gf-field-list.php on line 167

Deprecated: Using ${var} in strings is deprecated, use {$var} instead in /var/www/at/mcwd/public/site/plugins/gravityforms/includes/fields/class-gf-field-repeater.php on line 584
Highway 101 Causeway Reconstruction Project - Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
Highway 101 Causeway aerial photo

Overview

In 2016, Hennepin County carried out road construction on Highway 101/Bushaway Road to add turn lanes and a bicycle/walking path. Highway 101 crosses Lake Minnetonka between Gray’s Bay and Wayzata Bay, so the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the county’s construction work by protecting and improving shoreline along the road. MCWD worked with Hennepin County to reconstruct the shoreline and add native vegetation, which reduces erosion, absorbs stormwater, provides wildlife habitat, beautifies the roadway, and reduces the risk of lake waves freezing on the road during winter months.

As part of this project, MCWD also partnered with the City of Minnetrista to carry out a separate wetland restoration, fulfilling a floodplain permit requirement related to the Highway 101 causeway project. This restoration, on a city-owned parcel along Jennings Bay near Painter Creek, increases water storage in case of flooding, and will help the city meet permitting requirements for future projects.

At a Glance

  • Minnetrista
  • Lake Minnetonka Subwatershed
  • Status: Complete
  • 2017

MCWD Staff Contact

Tiffany Schaufler

tschlaufler@minnehahacreek.org

952-641-4513

Project Cost

$983,078

Project Timeline

conversation icon

Planning Phase

Expand details

Planning Phase

May 2014 — MCWD and Hennepin County sign a cooperative agreement for a shoreline restoration along CSAH 101 on Wayzata Bay

October 2014 — MCWD and City of Minnetrista sign a cooperative agreement for a wetland restoration/floodplain mitigation project along Jennings Bay

March 2015 — Project ordered through MCWD Board Resolution 15-029

research paper icon

Design Phase

Expand details

Design Phase

April 2016 — Design phase for the Highway 101 shoreline restoration begins

June 2016 — Design phase for the Jennings Bay wetland restoration begins

August 2016 — Design for the Highway 101 shoreline restoration and Jennings Bay wetland restoration completed

construction icon

Construction Phase

Expand details

Construction Phase

November 2016 — Shoreline construction and wetland restoration begins

June 2017 — Shoreline construction and wetland restoration ends

balanced landscape icon

Project completion

Expand details

Project Completion

2017 — Project completed

By the Numbers

900

feet

of shoreline restored

350

trees & Shrubs

planted

775

plants

added

1,364

cubic yards

of flood storage created

1

acre

of wetland restored


Project Highlights

  • Naturalized and stabilized shoreline
  • Habitat enhancement
  • Stormwater management
  • Floodplain storage created
  • Model for future roadway projects

Partnership

MCWD worked closely with Hennepin County and the City of Minnetrista to identify and meet the goals of multiple communities that depend on this road for regular transportation.

Hennepin County, MN
city of Minnetrista

Funding

Project Cost: $983,078

This project was supported with collaborative funding from Hennepin County, the City of Minnetrista, and MCWD.