Aurelia Park Pond Initiative

The Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) is partnering with the City of Blaine to improve water quality in Springbrook Creek by constructing a new stormwater pond in the southwest corner of Aurelia Park. The pond is part of an ongoing effort by the City to enhance water quality in the area. This pond  acts as a filter by allowing pollutants to settle and provides stormwater runoff storage during times of high rainfall.

When this neighborhood was built, stormwater was not known as an issue and not dealt with in the design of the neighborhood. Times have changed. Pollution and flooding issues need to be addressed from the water flowing off the streets, sidewalks, driveways and rooftops. This project uses a “treatment train” of 3 methods:

1. A catchbasin sump with baffle helps clean the water before going into the pond.
2. The new pond allows pollutants to settle out and provides some floodwater storage to help prevent flooding. 
3. A sand filter bench rings the pond bottom to help remove phosphorus.

The cleaner water from the pond then flows into Springbrook Creek, making it cleaner! During times of heavy rains or smowmelt the pond holds back the surge of stormwater for a short time instead of rushing into the creek, thereby reducing erosion and flood potential of the creek.

Project Updates

The construction for this project is completed and the system is working. Vegetation is growing where land was disturbed. The project included planting replacement trees around the perimeter of the new pond and elsewhere in the park while leaving as many existing trees as possible.

A recording of the 4.29.2021 Public Open House is available at the City project webpage linked here: https://www.blainemn.gov/3343/Aurelia-Park-Pond-Project.

Project Funding

The funding for this project is through a State of Minnesota Clean Water Land and Legacy Grant, city stormwater utility fund and the CCWD. Click here for the 2021 All Details Grant Report   Click here for the 2022 All Details Grant Report