Sand Creek Aquatic Organism Passage

This project is a partnership between the Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) and the City of Coon Rapids to improve aquatic life in Sand Creek.

This project will include the replacement of a road crossing and the stabilization of downstream erosion.

Sand Creek is currently listed as Impaired for failing to meet federal Clean Water Act standards for aquatic life due to excess sediment (TSS) & nutrients (phosphorus), poor habitat, and disrupted flow (altered hydrology). Disrupted flow, caused by an undersized culvert at Xeon Blvd, is creating a physical barrier blocking aquatic animals from moving freely throughout the creek.

Goals

The primary goal of this project is to improve aquatic organism passage and reduce pollution from sediment (TSS) and nutrients (phosphorus).

This goal will be accomplished by:

1. Replacement of undersized culverts at Xeon Blvd with a larger box culvert or span bridge. This will remove the physical barrier blocking aquatic animals from moving freely throughout the creek.
2. Stabilization of eroding streambanks downstream of Xeon Blvd. This will reduce sediment loading by an estimated 7.15 tons and phosphorus loading by an estimated 6 pounds per year.

Timeline

Construction of the project is anticipated to begin late summer/early fall 2026, with project completion in 2027.

Updates

• 02/02/2026 – 60% project design to begin, following receipt of geotechnical report
• 01/07/2026 – Geotechnical exploration of soils completed, awaiting report
• 12/08/2025 – Geotechnical engineer quote awarded at CCWD Board meeting
• 08/01/2025 – 30% project design is completed and project is out for bid

Funding

CCWD and the City of Coon Rapids have budgeted funds for this project and received a $146,366 grant from the Clean Water Fund Watershed Based Implementation Funding program administered by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources