City Council Agenda

3/7/2023

Title: Crow River Improvement Concepts

Report From: Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer

Action Requested: ☒ Informational ☐ Motion ☐ Public Hearing

Form of Action: ☐ Resolution ☐ Ordinance ☐ Contract/Agreement
☐ Other ☐ NA

Summary Statement
An analysis of the existing conditions of the Crow River between the Hwy 12 bridge and the Granite Works site has been
conducted to inform the concept development for improvements for recreational use, aesthetics, bank stabilization, and
overall water quality. A summary of the existing conditions and improvement concepts has been provided by Stantec for
discussion.

Recommended Action

1. Discuss the river concepts and consider next steps

2. Click or tap here to enter text.
3. Click or tap here to enter text.

Core Strategies

☐ Comprehensive Services to meet needs ☐ Engage and Informed Community

☐ Maintain financial sustainability ☐ High-Performing team of public servants
☒ Conscientious asset/infrastructure mgmt. ☒ Safe and healthy community
☐ Sustainable and planned growth ☒ Maintain and protect community strengths

Background

One of the City’s short-term goals is the development of an improvement plan for the Crow River through downtown and
identify funding sources for improvements. In November 2022 a study of the existing conditions and the development of
improvement concepts was authorized. Stantec staff have reviewed the existing water model of the Crow River, gathered
survey information, and developed two concepts for consideration. A memorandum of the findings was developed which
will be discussed during the meeting.

Additional survey information will need to be gathered once the river conditions are appropriate to verify the bottom of
the river channel. Next steps in the overall process to meet the City goal will also be discussed.
Financial Consideration

Is there a financial consideration? ☒ No ☐ Yes

Financing Source: ☐ Budgeted ☐ Budget Modification
☐ New revenue source ☐ Use of revenues
☐ Other

Attachments:
☒ Stantec memo
☐
☐
 Memo

To: Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer From: Ed Matthiesen, Sarah Harding, and
Katy Thompson
City of Delano, MN Stantec – Plymouth office
File: 227703799 Date: February 28, 2023

Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

INTRODUCTION

The City of Delano contracted with Stantec to develop conceptual alternatives for improvements along an
approximately 4,500 linear foot length of the South Fork Crow River near Delano from Highway 12 to just
north of the Granite Works Apartment building. This reach runs along the boundaries of public and private
properties. The project’s concept alternatives goals are to 1) protect and enhance the existing canoe/kayak
access ramp and interface of Riverfront Park with the river, 2) enhance recreational water use and navigability
of the river, and 3) protect infrastructure and stabilize riverbanks at key locations which have high erosive
potential.

As part of the conceptual design, we performed limited field data collection and evaluation, developed a
feasibility-level hydraulic analysis of the two concepts, and considered the permitting requirements associated
with the conceptual designs.

Figure 1: Project Area – South Fork Crow River

227703799
February 28, 2023
Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
Page 2 of 7

Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS

Field Data Collection and Desktop Analysis

Stantec staff completed onsite field assessments and collected data required to aid in the development of
project conceptual level designs. We collected aerial and oblique view ortho-photo mosaics of the project area
and adjacent riverbank in November 2022 and noted visible low channel flow locations, side slope and bank
failures, woody debris and daylighted pipe inlets.

Our field survey team then conducted 15-cross sections of the project area in December 2022, collecting
sufficient elevation data to establish ground elevations at each cross-section location. Due to unsafe ice
conditions at the time of the field survey, staff was unable to collect topographic data below the current
water/ice level.

Our desktop GIS review noted approximately seven underground utility crossings (water, sanitary, storm, and
communications), one overhead utility crossing, and several locations of daylighted storm sewer within the
project area. Further investigation will be needed to determine potential conflicts between proposed channel
improvements and existing utilities.

Modeling Evaluation

Data Sources: The portion of the South Fork Crow River through the City is included in the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 1988 Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the City of Delano. In 1990,
FEMA combined the supporting hydraulic modeling with the modeling of the South Fork Crow River
developed for the unincorporated portions of Wright County in 1985, however the FIS mapping was not
updated. This combined model is FEMA’s effective model and was obtained from the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources (MnDNR), FEMA’s cooperative technical partner.

FEMA is in the process of updating the Wright County FIS and participating communities should expect to
receive the Letter of Final Determination this spring or summer 2023. The updated FIS may have different
flood elevations and will require a separate analysis at the time it is adopted.

Methodology: The 1988 FIS for the City of Delano shows the proposed project extents to be mapped in the
South Fork Crow River’s floodway (Figure 2). Any project proposing to encroach upon the floodway portion of
a floodplain is required under Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 60.3(d) to
demonstrate through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses that the proposed project will not result in any
increase in flood levels within the community for the 100-year flood. To do this, we obtained the effective
model through the MnDNR’s FEMA Hydraulic Model Download Application and used it to evaluate the two
proposed concept designs.

227703799
February 28, 2023
Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
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Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

Figure 2. Project extents (highlighted in yellow) and the 1988 Effective Flood Insurance Rate Map for City of
Delano in project reach (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1988)

The effective model (WRIGH31.DAT) was in the HEC-2 file format and converted to HEC-RAS v.6.3 for this
analysis. In HEC-RAS, four different model runs were developed to evaluate the potential floodplain impacts
of the project, discussed in the following sections.

Duplicate Effective Model: The duplicate effective model is a copy of the effective model, run on the user’s
machine, and used to validate that the model file produces the same results as published in the effective FIS.
For the reach within Delano, the results produced in the duplicate effective model were within 0.8-ft of the
published FIS elevations. When importing the HEC-2 file, adjustments were made to the five bridges to
account for the different bridge routines used by HEC-RAS.

Corrected Effective Model: The corrected effective model is a copy of the duplicate effective model with
additional cross-section data added to the model to better represent the project reach. A total of 15 new
cross-sections were added to the existing FEMA model, using MnDNR 2-ft lidar data and survey data
collected by Stantec in December 2022. Due to ice conditions, the 2022 survey was unable to collect data
below the water surface and the channel topography has been estimated based on the existing FEMA cross-
section data. The channel profile, with the project reach highlighted in yellow, is provided in Figure 3.

227703799
February 28, 2023
Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
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Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

Figure 3. Existing conditions channel profile, downtown Delano reach highlighted in yellow, from corrected
effective model.

The HEC-RAS channel profile is very flat in the project reach, with only two feet of drop between the most
upstream and downstream limits, and a slope of 0.33 percent. Because the channel profile is based on survey
data collected in the 1980s and the effective model indicates it could be extremely flat, the project tie-in
locations beyond the project limits should be surveyed to confirm the correct slope is used for the success of
any future designs.

Preliminary Proposed Conditions Models: After the corrected effective model was built, it served as a
foundation for the proposed conditions scenarios considered. Results from the proposed conditions were
compared to the corrected effective model to determine the change in water surface elevations that may be
expected to occur due to the proposed designs. The conceptual designs discussed in the following sections
were evaluated against the corrected effective model results and the anticipated regulatory requirements.

CONCEPT DESIGN ALTERNATIVES

Two conceptual design options were evaluated to determine if either could be constructed without affecting
the 100-year water surface elevations of the South Fork Crow River. Concept A – Channel Narrowing,
attached, includes the construction of a 20-foot-wide low flow channel through the length of the downtown
reach. Concept A includes work in the floodplain, such as access improvements for canoes and kayaks, as
well as walking path connections and stream armoring to protect the channel banks from erosion. The goal of
this concept is to channel the flow so that during drier summer months, there is a continuous, low flow
channel to concentrate flows. This concept would entail extensive earthwork modifications and will require
detailed topography to ensure existing utilities and crossings are not impacted by the construction of the low
flow channel.

227703799
February 28, 2023
Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
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Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

Concept B-Pools and Riffles, attached, is a more targeted project with a similar goal of maintaining flowing
water in the downtown reach during the drier summer months. Rather than channelizing the reach into a
smaller channel, this concept uses in-channel features across the existing river channel that would create
backwater conditions and deeper water for the canoe and kayak access. This concept relies on the use of in-
stream structures to deflect and adjust the existing flows to create pools and riffles with minimal grading and
construction.

Both concepts were roughly modeled in HEC-RAS to validate if the concepts may impact the 100-year flood
elevation. The results from the analysis indicate that based on the available information to date, both projects
could likely achieve a no-rise in flood elevations during final design. However, the analysis also revealed that
while the no-rise goal is an important consideration, the flat slope through the project reach may have a
greater impact on the overall design than the floodplain regulations. Because the slope is flat, impacts of the
proposed project can propagate upstream for extremely long distances, in addition the number of bridge and
utility crossings provide control points that limit the amount of grading and ability to adjust the design to
reduce flood increases. Without knowing how or if the channel profile has changed, at this time, it is
recommended that a hybrid design of Concept A and Concept B, with a combination of pools, riffles and
channel narrowing, be advanced to a preliminary design with a focus on minimizing impacts to existing
structures (bridges and floodwall) and utility crossings, as well as to maintaining no changes to the 100-year
flood elevations.

While the existing channel in some areas is either tree-lined and/or rock armored, the proposed stabilization
approaches below may increase the overall roughness of the channel (i.e. Manning’s n-value), which could
cause a slight increase in water surface elevations, depending on the location and extent of the stabilization
practices selected. Because of the hybrid design recommendation, channel roughness has not been taken
into consideration at this stage but will need to be accounted for as part of the final design and no-rise
modeling.

STABILIZATION APPROACHES

Rock Toe Protection

Roughened rock toes are structural, erosion prevention features placed along the toe of a streambank. The
rock toe is proposed along outside bends and where the streambank is failing based on field observations. A
detailed survey of the channel will be needed to determine existing scour holes and channel bathymetry in the
area during engineering design.

It is recommended that vegetation and large wood be incorporated within the rock bank toe protection. Large
woody debris at the toe adds additional roughness and habitat. Vegetation planted within the rock, likely using
plugs or live stakes, will help with the aesthetics and provide additional stabilization.

One of our typical approaches to eroding outside bends similar to this is to use rootwad or toewood within the
rock toe. This combination approach provides excellent bank stability while increasing stream habitat quality.
The root fans of the logs are placed along the toe of slope while the logs are buried into the bank. The root
fans facilitate the scouring out and maintenance of pools due to increased roughness and helical flow
generated as stream flows hit the root face, increasing habitat complexity within the stream. Small spaces
found within the roots can provide cover for small fish, as well as reptiles, and small mammals found within

227703799
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Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
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Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

the riparian habitat. They also create a food source and a variety of micro-flow conditions, due to their non-
uniformity, which can enhance aquatic invertebrate diversity while providing overhead cover for aquatic
organisms. The spacing of the rootwads or toewood can be determined by the amount of wood available and
existing access points.

Stream Barbs and J-Hooks

Stream barbs located on outside bends of the river will re-direct flows away from the bank and back into the
middle of the channel. Near the canoe/kayak access, we propose installing a similar structure, a rock J-hook.
The J-hook will also re-direct flows away from the bank and back into the middle of the channel as well as
create a lower-velocity pool at the point where canoe and kayakers access the water’s edge. It will also
promote scour that will maintain pool depth, which is a key feature to channel stability. The J-hook can also
be designed to act as a grade control structure to maintain upstream riffle slope and prevent against head-
cuts moving through the system if the structure is placed across the entire width of the channel and utilizes
sills.

Making the toe of slope through the outside bend as rough as possible is key to bank stability because
roughness decreases shear stress against the bank. Roughness also creates a flow that increases scour
towards the center of the channel and maintains pool depth. To increase roughness, we anticipate installing
boulders at varying intervals along the toe. Boulders will extend into the pool and provide valuable habitat for
fish and macroinvertebrates.

Upper Bank Stabilization

Eroded banks are proposed to be re-built by grading the banks between a 3:1 (H:V) and 5:1 (H:V) slope to
promote vegetation establishment. The banks will be seeded with a native species seed mix appropriate to
the area to establish herbaceous cover. The deep-rooted native species will provide long-term bank
stabilization, provide overhead cover for aquatic organisms, and riparian habitat for wildlife species, including
pollinators. Live staking with select woody species above the stone toe, in select areas, would be
incorporated to provide additional bank stabilization and potential to minimize the stone toe elevation.

Above the normal-water levels of the river adjacent the canoe/kayak access path, we propose a stabilized
bank slope of stepped stone mixed with native vegetation and boulders to increase bank surface roughness
and soil holding capacity by way of deep root systems while increasing the community’s visual connection
and access near the water’s edge. During flood stage and based on duration of the flooding, proposed
vegetation that is not mature or does not have sufficient height above the water level may perish as a result of
the flood stage condition. We recommend consistent monitoring of the vegetation during a two- to three-year
establishment period to identify underperforming vegetation areas and opportunities for improvement.

PERMITTING CONSIDERATIONS

Land-disturbing activities, especially those below the ordinary water level of a stream or lake, generally trigger
city, state, and watershed permits. The City of Delano may require a permit or council approval of the project.
At the local level, if the water surface elevations remain unchanged, a No-Rise Certificate will need to be
prepared and submitted to the local floodplain administrator (City of Delano) for compliance with the National
Flood Insurance Program requirements.

227703799
February 28, 2023
Shawn Louwagie, City Engineer
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Reference: Crow River Concept Alternatives Memorandum

The following permits may also be necessary, depending on the results from the channel survey and design
option selected:

• Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) from the City of Delano (LGU)

• Public Waters Permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR)

• Clean Water Act Section 401 and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General
Stormwater Permit must be obtained from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

• Clean Water Act Section 404 and River and Harbors Action Section 10 from U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE)

Because the project is located near and potentially within private utility, railroad alignment, and Minnesota
Department of Transportation rights-of-way, project review and temporary construction access easements
may be required.

Given the complexity of the project, it is anticipated that the City and staff will need to meet with the above
agencies individually to facilitate permit approvals.

NEXT STEPS

The two concepts and memo will be presented to the City Council for comments and direction. If pursuing
further engineering and design, channel survey below the water elevation will be necessary to update the
Corrective Effective Model and analyze and finalize the recommended hybrid design concept.

With one concept refined, the preliminary design (30%) plans can then be developed, the resulting hydraulic
modeling and impacts estimated, and associated opinion of probable costs developed. With these preliminary
plan documents, City or Stantec’s staff can explore and apply for various grant funding opportunities to
continue the project into final design, permitting and construction.

Attachments: Concept Alternatives A and B – Plan and Section Perspective graphics

227703799
Crow River Conceptual Design CONCEPT A Plan 0 300’
City of Delano, Minnesota

Stone Terrace Outcropping with

Native Vegetation Section Perspective Viewpoint

Informal Walking Path Connection Stream Barbs, typ.

during periods of low water flow

Canoe/Kayak Access Improvements to

increase use during periods of low and
high water level

20’ Low Flow Channel Width, typ.

December 9, 2022
Crow River Conceptual Design CONCEPT B Plan 0 300’
City of Delano, Minnesota

Section Perspective Viewpoint

Canoe/Kayak Access

J-Hook

Riffle, typ.

December 9, 2022
Crow River Conceptual Design CONCEPT A Section Perspective
City of Delano, Minnesota

Informal Walking Path Connection

during periods of low water flow
Canoe/Kayak Access Improvements to
increase use during periods of low and
high water level

Stone Terrace Outcropping with

Native Vegetation

December 9, 2022
Crow River Conceptual Design CONCEPT B Section Perspective
City of Delano, Minnesota

J-Hook

Canoe/Kayak Access

Riffle, typ.

December 9, 2022