HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdina_2022_WRMP_Final_12152022Water Resources Management Plan
December 2022 Amendment
Nine Mile Creek near Edina High School
4300 MarketPointe Drive, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55435
952.832.2600 www.barr.com
City of Edina
Water Resources Management Plan
Prepared for
City of Edina
December 2022 Amendment
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
i
P:\Mpls\23 MN\27\23271799 Edina CWRMP Amendment\WorkFiles\Amended CWRMP\Edina_2022_WRMP_Final_12152022.docx
City of Edina
Water Resources Management Plan
December 2022 Amendment
Contents
1.0 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Problems, Issues, and Potential Solutions ............................................................................................... 1-2
1.1.1 Water Resources Implementation Program ........................................................................ 1-2
1.1.2 Runoff Management and Flood Control ............................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Flood Risk Management ................................................................................................................................ 1-2
1.3 Clean Water Management ............................................................................................................................ 1-3
2.0 Introduction and Physical Setting ............................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Plan Purposes ..................................................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Physical Setting .................................................................................................................................................. 2-2
2.2.1 Drainage Patterns ........................................................................................................................... 2-2
2.2.1.1 Hydrologic Modeling of Major Drainage Areas ....................................................... 2-3
2.2.2 Watershed Management Organizations ............................................................................... 2-4
2.2.2.1 Minnehaha Creek Watershed District ................................................................................. 2-4
2.2.2.2 Nine Mile Creek Watershed District .................................................................................... 2-4
2.2.3 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................ 2-4
2.2.4 Soils ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-4
2.2.5 Topography ...................................................................................................................................... 2-5
2.2.6 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................... 2-5
2.2.6.1 Water Quality Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 2-5
2.2.6.2 Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads ....................................................... 2-8
2.2.7 Wetlands ......................................................................................................................................... 2-12
2.2.7.1 City of Edina Wetlands Inventory—1999 ....................................................................... 2-12
2.2.7.2 MCWD FAW—2003 ................................................................................................................. 2-13
2.2.8 Public Waters ................................................................................................................................ 2-13
2.2.9 Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Open Space ............................................... 2-15
2.2.10 Public Utilities ............................................................................................................................... 2-16
2.2.11 Fish and Wildlife Habitat .......................................................................................................... 2-16
2.2.12 Unique Features and Scenic Areas ....................................................................................... 2-18
2.2.13 Pollutant Sources ......................................................................................................................... 2-18
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2.2.13.1 Investigation and Cleanup Sites......................................................................................... 2-18
2.2.13.2 Tank Sites and Leak Sites ...................................................................................................... 2-19
2.2.13.3 Individual Sewage Treatment Systems ........................................................................... 2-19
2.2.14 Groundwater ................................................................................................................................. 2-19
3.0 Water Resources Management and Implementation Program ...................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Water Resources Network: A Combination of Stormwater Assets and Natural Resources 3-1
3.1.1 Public Waters ................................................................................................................................... 3-3
3.1.2 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................ 3-3
3.1.3 Natural Resources Monitoring and Inspections ................................................................. 3-3
3.2 Stormwater Infrastructure Asset Management ..................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.1 Asset Procurement ......................................................................................................................... 3-4
3.2.2 Asset Ownership ............................................................................................................................. 3-4
3.2.3 Inventory and Inspection ............................................................................................................. 3-5
3.2.4 Operations and Maintenance .................................................................................................... 3-6
3.2.5 Renewal and Replacement ......................................................................................................... 3-8
3.2.6 New and Upgraded Public or Private Assets ....................................................................... 3-8
3.3 Flood Risk Management ................................................................................................................................ 3-9
3.3.1 Flood Risk Reduction Strategy ............................................................................................... 3-10
3.3.2 Flood Risk, Exposure, and Vulnerability .............................................................................. 3-10
3.3.2.1 Vectors for Principal Structure Flood Exposure ........................................................... 3-11
3.3.2.2 Flood Exposure Data and Trends ...................................................................................... 3-12
3.3.3 Sectors of Work ............................................................................................................................ 3-15
3.3.3.1 Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................. 3-16
3.3.3.2 Regulation ................................................................................................................................... 3-16
3.3.3.3 Outreach and Engagement .................................................................................................. 3-17
3.3.3.4 Emergency Services and Public Safety ............................................................................ 3-17
3.4 Clean Water ...................................................................................................................................................... 3-18
3.4.1 Clean Water Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 3-18
3.4.2 Clean Water Programs .............................................................................................................. 3-19
3.4.2.1 Community Engagement ...................................................................................................... 3-19
3.4.2.2 Pollution Prevention ............................................................................................................... 3-20
3.4.2.3 Pollution Source Controls ..................................................................................................... 3-21
3.4.2.4 Lake and Pond Management .............................................................................................. 3-22
3.4.3 Clean Water Strategy ................................................................................................................. 3-25
3.4.3.1 Implementation Approach ................................................................................................... 3-26
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3.4.3.2 Opportunity Identification and Prioritization ............................................................... 3-26
3.5 Management Approach............................................................................................................................... 3-28
3.5.1 Coordination with Watershed Districts ............................................................................... 3-29
3.5.1.1 Regulation ................................................................................................................................... 3-29
3.5.1.2 Data and Information ............................................................................................................. 3-30
3.5.1.3 Land Use Planning Opportunities ..................................................................................... 3-31
3.5.1.4 Implementation Partnership Opportunities .................................................................. 3-34
3.5.2 Development Review Process and Land Use Planning ................................................ 3-34
3.5.3 Prioritization .................................................................................................................................. 3-35
3.5.4 Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 3-36
3.5.5 Financial Considerations ........................................................................................................... 3-36
3.5.6 Utility funding ............................................................................................................................... 3-37
3.5.7 Coordinated Policy Issues ........................................................................................................ 3-38
3.6 Plan Update and Amendment Procedure ............................................................................................ 3-39
4.0 Policies for Water Resources Management ............................................................................................................ 4-1
4.1 Flood Risk and Stormwater Runoff Management ................................................................................ 4-1
4.1.1 Minimum Principal Structure Elevations ............................................................................... 4-3
4.1.2 Structure Setbacks ......................................................................................................................... 4-5
4.1.3 Below-Grade Garages and Parking ......................................................................................... 4-6
4.1.4 Stormwater Infrastructure Design Standards ...................................................................... 4-6
4.2 Clean Water Services ....................................................................................................................................... 4-7
4.3 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................... 4-9
4.4 Natural Resources Restoration and Protection .................................................................................. 4-10
4.5 Groundwater .................................................................................................................................................... 4-10
4.6 Appeal Process ................................................................................................................................................ 4-11
4.7 Water Resources Management Agreements ...................................................................................... 4-11
5.0 References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5-1
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List of Tables
Table 2.1 Summer (June-September) Average Total Phosphorus Concentrations for Edina Lakes......... 2-6
Table 2.2 City of Edina Waterbodies on MPCA's 303(d) Impaired Waters List................................................. 2-9
Table 2.3 MnDNR Public Waters within Edina ............................................................................................................ 2-14
Table 2.4 Fishery and Aquatic Invasive Species Information ................................................................................ 2-17
Table 3.1 Source of the Best Available 1-Percent-Annual-Chance Flood Elevations throughout the City of Edina ................................................................................................................................................................... 3-15
Table 3.2 Level of Potential Lake Management Activity by Service Level ....................................................... 3-24
Table 3.3 City Staff Support Activities and Alternative Methods Related to Table 3.2 .............................. 3-25
Table 3.4 Potential Funding Sources for Plan Implementation ........................................................................... 3-37
Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program ............................................................................................ 3-40
Table 3.6 Potential Implementation Activities (including Capital Improvements) ....................................... 3-45
List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Sectors of Work and City Goals ....................................................................................................................... 1-3
Figure 2.1 Major Drainage Areas ....................................................................................................................................... 2-20
Figure 2.2 Land Use Classification ..................................................................................................................................... 2-21
Figure 2.3 Edina Soils Classification .................................................................................................................................. 2-22
Figure 2.4 Water Quality Monitoring Stations ............................................................................................................. 2-23
Figure 2.5 Wetland Classifications .................................................................................................................................... 2-24
Figure 2.6 Edina Parks and Recreational Areas ............................................................................................................ 2-25
Figure 2.7 Threatened and Endangered Species ......................................................................................................... 2-26
Figure 3.1 Core Services of Water Resources Program ............................................................................................... 3-1
Figure 3.2 Data from MnDNR Climate Trends Tool .................................................................................................... 3-12
Figure 3.3 Estimates of 100-year 24-hour rainfall depth ......................................................................................... 3-13
Figure 3.4 City-Owned Property ........................................................................................................................................ 3-53
List of Appendices
Appendix A Modeling Methods and Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis of Drainage Areas
Appendix A – Attachment A City of Edina Imperviousness Assumptions for Stormwater Modeling
Appendix A – Attachment B Summary of Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek Modeling Approach
Appendix B Legacy Flood Risk Reduction Potential Projects
Appendix C List of Potential Pond Improvements
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Acronyms
Acronym Description
APWA American Public Works Association
ASFPM Association of State Floodplain Managers
AWWA American Water Works Association
BMPs Best Management Practices
CAMP Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program
CFS Cubic Feet per Second
CIP Capital Improvement Program
CWA Clean Water Act
EOF Emergency Overflow
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
FAW Functional Assessment of Wetlands (MCWD)
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
GCM Global Climate Model
GIS Geographic Information Systems
GSI Green Stormwater Infrastructure
IAM Infrastructure Asset Management
IBI Index of Biotic Integrity
IPCC International Panel on Climate Change
IPWEA Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia
ISTS Individual Sewage Treatment Systems
LGU Local Government Unit
MCWD Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
MnRAM Minnesota Routine Assessment Method
MnDNR Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
MnDOT Minnesota Department of Transportation
MPCA Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
MUSA Metropolitan Urban Service Area
NAI No Adverse Impact
NGVD29 National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929
NMCWD Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
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NURP Nationwide Urban Runoff Program
NWI National Wetlands Inventory
OHWL Ordinary High Water Level
PWI Public Waters Inventory
RCP Reinforced-Concrete Pipe
SCS Soil Conservation Service
SSURGO Soil Survey Geographic Database
SWMM Stormwater Management Model
SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevent Plan/Program
TBD To Be Determined
TH Trunk Highway
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TSS Total Suspended Solids
UAA Use Attainability Analysis
USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
VIC Voluntary Investigation and Clean-up
WCA Wetland Conservation Act
WLA Wasteload allocation
WMO Watershed Management Organization
WRAPS Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy
WRMP Water Resources Management Plan
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan 1-1
1.0 Executive Summary
This plan updates the City of Edina Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP). The plan was developed
to address current and future stormwater issues, especially those related to future development and
redevelopment. The plan addresses flood risk and stormwater runoff management, clean water services,
and natural resources restoration and protection through establishment of water resources planning
policies and recommendations for projects and programs.
The City of Edina developed its first WRMP in 2003. The WRMP was updated in 2011, 2018, and 2022.
Prior iterations of the WRMP are referenced in this document according to year (e.g., 2018 WRMP).
This WRMP is composed of Section 1.0: Executive Summary and three main sections, which are
described as follows:
Section 2.0: Introduction and Physical Setting—presents background information regarding
the City, general watershed information, and plan purposes.
Section 3.0: Water Resources Management and Implementation Program—describes the
programs and activities that support each of the core services (flood risk and stormwater runoff
management, clean water services, and natural resources restoration and protection) and some of
the policy issues around the provision and growth of service. This chapter also discusses
resources, financial considerations, and implementation priorities.
Section 4.0: Policies for Water Resources Management presents background information,
goals, policies and design standards covering flood risk and stormwater runoff management,
clean water services, and natural resources restoration and protection.
References are included in Section 5.0. The WRMP also includes several appendices. Appendix A is
particularly significant and includes:
Appendix A.1: Methodology for Modeling—describes the data, methods and assumptions
used for conducting stormwater simulation modeling throughout the city .
Appendix A.2 through A.11: Major Drainage Area Descriptions and
Recommendations—describes the general drainage area, drainage patterns within the area, the
stormwater system modeling analysis and results, and implementation recommendations for each
of the following 10 major drainage areas in the City: Nine Mile Creek- North, Nine Mile Creek-
Central, Nine Mile Creek- South, Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill, Nine Mile South Fork,
Southwest Ponds, Trunk Highway (TH) 169 North, Northeast Minnehaha, Southeast Minnehaha,
and Northwest Minnehaha.
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1.1 Problems, Issues, and Potential Solutions
This section summarizes the City’s current and planned water resources implementation program, and
potential stormwater management improvements identified in Section 3.0 and Appendix A of the
WRMP.
1.1.1 Water Resources Implementation Program
This WRMP serves as a master plan for the City’s water resources network, which is a combination of
stormwater assets and natural resources. The City will work with residents to implement structural (capital)
improvements and non-structural programs to address existing water resource problems within the City
and to prevent future problems from occurring. The implementation program identifies the programs and
improvements and provides cost estimates for budgeting purposes. Table 3.5 presents the City’s water
resource-related implementation program, which includes the City’s non-structural (administration)
programs and structural (capital) improvement program. Projects listed in the table are prioritized
according to the City’s Flood Risk Reduction Strategy and will be prioritized according to the City’s Clean
Water Strategy (when finalized).
1.1.2 Runoff Management and Flood Control
The hydrologic and hydraulic modeling analyses of the current stormwater system identified several areas
throughout the City where the desired 1-percent-annual chance event (100-year) level of protection may
not be provided. These problem areas and potential solutions are discussed in detail in Appendix A and
are summarized and prioritized in Table 3.6. In addition to evaluating the level of protection provided by
the current stormwater system, the level of service provided was also evaluated. From this analysis, it was
determined that the storm sewer throughout many areas of the City is not currently providing the desired
10-percent-annual-chance event (10-year) level of service. The areas where the storm sewer does not
offer sufficient capacity and street flow occurs during a 10-percent-annual-chance event may be viewed
via the City’s interactive web map. The capacity of these storm sewer systems should be evaluated and
upgraded, where feasible, as opportunities arise.
1.2 Flood Risk Management
The City of Edina developed a Flood Risk Reduction Strategy that outlines a plan for working toward
reducing flood risk. The strategy identifies and characterizes flood problems throughout the city and
identifies strategies and infrastructure improvements to address flood-prone areas. The strategy includes
preparation of planning-level cost estimates to help understand the potential financial investment
required to meet the City’s flood risk reduction goals and the anticipated timeframe for implementation.
The Flood Risk Reduction Strategy has been incorporated into this WRMP (see Section 3.3) and details the
City’s approach to addressing flood-prone areas based on the sectors of work described in Section 3.3.4
(and illustrated below).
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Figure 1.1 Sectors of Work and City Goals
The City’s Flood Risk Reduction Strategy focuses on identification and prioritization of flood exposure and
vulnerability reduction efforts. The City seeks to maximize cost effectiveness and capitalize on coinciding
opportunities, such as planned street reconstruction, redevelopment, availability of land, and other
planned infrastructure improvement projects. Consideration will also be given to achieving additional “co-
benefits”, such as water quality improvements, open space expansion, and ecological restoration.
1.3 Clean Water Management
As part of this 10-year plan, the City of Edina will develop a clean water strategy that outlines a plan for
working toward meeting its clean water goals. The strategy will address the City’s approach to meeting
the pollutant reduction targets identified through the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Watershed
Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) process. The strategy will also determine pollutant load
reduction targets for nondegradation of water bodies that are not impaired and identify an approach for
achieving these stormwater management targets. The clean water implementation strategy will define the
City’s goals and identify regular “good housekeeping” stormwater practices and clean water capital
improvement projects (CIP) to achieve the clean water goals, including quantification of pollutant
removals and preparation of planning-level cost estimates. This information will be used for planning, as
well as assessment of cost-benefit for project prioritization. The implementation strategy will be
developed in coordination with street reconstruction projects, redevelopment, and other opportunities.
Annual or biennial reporting will be included in the strategy to quantify movement toward the City’s goals
and will include tracking activities for the City’s annual SWPPP and MS4 reporting.
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The Clean Water Strategy will define clean water goals, estimate the cost and pace of achievement, and
identify implementation opportunities based on implementation categories described in Section 3.4
including:
• Redevelopment
• Retrofit
• Re-design/re-purpose
When completed, the Clean Water Strategy will be included as an amendment to this WRMP. Each of the
clean water improvement opportunity categories identified above and described in Section 3.4 have
opportunities for partnership with other entities, such as private landowners, watershed districts, non-
profit organizations, or other local governmental entities.
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2.0 Introduction and Physical Setting
2.1 Plan Purposes
This plan update provides the City of Edina with a Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP). The plan
was developed to address current and future stormwater issues, especially those related to future
development and redevelopment. The plan addresses flood risk and stormwater runoff management,
clean water services, and natural resources restoration and protection through establishment of water
resources planning policies and recommendations for projects and programs. The WRMP fulfills the City’s
local water planning obligations under Minnesota Statutes 103B.245.
The first goal of this WRMP is to provide flood risk management and stormwater runoff management
strategies. The City takes action to reduce the risk of losses due to floods, to minimize the impact of
floods on human safety, health and welfare, and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values
served by floodplains. The primary goal for the City’s flood risk management and stormwater runoff
management programs is to improve public safety and reduce the exposure of private principal structure
to flooding. The flood risk reduction strategy is described further in Section 3.0. The policies are discussed
in Section 4.0. The current storm sewer system throughout the City has been analyzed using computer
simulation models and recommendations to improve runoff management and reduce flood risk have
been made. Discussion on the stormwater modeling analyses and the resulting implementation
recommendations is included in Appendix A.
The second goal of the WRMP is to document clean water services for the waterbodies throughout the
City. Clean water policies and design standards have been established to protect the water quality of the
waterbodies within the City. These policies and design standards are discussed in Section 4.2. A water
quality model was used to simulate the generation and transport of pollutants through the waterbodies
within the City. The model results were used to make recommendations for upgrades to constructed
stormwater ponds throughout the City to maintain and improve the pollutant removal efficiency from
these stormwater assets. This analysis and the resulting implementation recommendations are discussed
in Appendix A.
The third goal of the WRMP is to provide natural resources restoration and protection strategies. The
City’s goal is to protect and improve natural systems including creeks, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater.
To achieve this goal, policies have been established to protect natural resources within the City. These
policies are included in Section 4.2 through Section 4.5.
This plan will assist the City of Edina in defining and implementing a comprehensive and environmentally
sound system of surface water management. It is intended to be used as a tool to:
1. Plan for projects and other water management activities so as to correct existing problems and
prevent foreseeable future problems from occurring.
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2. Assist the City in considering water resource impacts resulting from variances to the City’s long-
range land use plan.
3. Enable the City to grow/redevelop in a systematic and orderly manner while protecting its vital
water resources.
In order to accomplish these objectives, the plan considers a specific array of land uses within the City
limits. If and when land uses change, this plan provides the means to (1) address the proposed changes;
(2) determine the impact of the changes on the City’s infrastructure, flooding, and natural resources; and
(3) determine the actions needed within the proposed areas of land use change to prevent undesirable
impacts.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, the City of Edina shall have the right to act
exclusively in the interest of Public and shall have no duty or obligation of any type or nature whatsoever
emanating from this plan to person or class of persons. This plan is intended to describe the existing and
proposed physical environment and land use; define drainage areas and the volumes, rates, and paths of
stormwater runoff; identify areas and elevations for stormwater storage adequate to meet performance
standards; define water quality and water quality protection methods adequate to meet performance
standards; identify regulated areas; and set forth an implementation program, including a description of
official controls and, as appropriate, a capital improvement program. This plan contains a compilation of
goals and policies to achieve Edina's vision for the entire community (not a specific class of persons), as
well as implementation steps, which emanate from the goals and policies. This plan is NOT intended to
create any obligations with respect to a specific person or class of persons, and therefore DOES NOT
create any legally enforceable obligations or duties in the City of Edina on behalf of any person or class of
persons. Additionally, the goals and policies stated herein are subject to change in the sole discretion of
the City of Edina City Council and therefore this plan does not create any expectation, obligation, or
legally enforceable duty with respect to a specific person, class of persons, or the entire public.
2.2 Physical Setting
2.2.1 Drainage Patterns
The City of Edina covers an area of approximately 16 square miles. There are two stream systems that flow
through the City: Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek. The northeast corner of the City drains to
Minnehaha Creek, which enters the City limits northwest of West 44th Street and Trunk Highway (TH) 100
and flows in a southeasterly direction through the City, exiting
near West 54th Street and York Avenue. The southwest corner
of the City drains to the South Fork of Nine Mile Creek
through a series of storm sewer networks, ditches, and
stormwater detention basins. The remainder of the City drains
to the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek, which enters the Edina
City limits in the northwest corner of the City near the
Various maps related to the City of
Edina can be found online at the
City’s “Maps” page:
https://www.edinamn.gov/894/Maps
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
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intersection of TH 169 and Londonderry Road and meanders in a southeasterly direction through the City
and exits the City limits near the intersection of TH 100 and Interstate 494 (I-494).
For water resource planning purposes, the City was divided into several major drainage areas based on
drainage patterns. These drainage areas are depicted in Figure 2.1 and listed below:
• Nine Mile Creek- North
• Nine Mile Creek- Central
• Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill Pond
• Nine Mile Creek- South
• Nine Mile South Fork
• Southwest Ponds
• TH 169 North
• Northeast Minnehaha Creek
• Southeast Minnehaha Creek
• Northwest Minnehaha Creek
2.2.1.1 Hydrologic Modeling of Major Drainage Areas
Appendix A discusses the drainage patterns within each of these major drainage areas and describe the
recommended stormwater system improvements for each area. In some cases, the drainage areas may
include portions of adjoining cities, including Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Richfield,
and Minneapolis. The 10 major drainage areas listed above were further subdivided into major watersheds
and subwatersheds. Watershed divides were originally determined as part of the 2003 WRMP using air-
flown 2-foot topographic data. For the 2018 plan update, watershed divides were reviewed and, in some
cases, were updated using newer data topographic data (2011 MnDNR LiDAR elevation data). The
watershed divides are also updated on an annual basis through the City’s annual stormwater model
update process.
The City has modeled each of the 10 major drainage areas using the U.S. EPA’s Stormwater
Management Model (SWMM), with a computerized graphical interface provided by XP Software/Innovyze
(XPSWMM). XPSWMM uses rainfall and watershed characteristics to generate local runoff, which is routed
through pipe and overland flow networks. The model can account for detention in ponding areas,
backflow in pipes, surcharging of manholes, as well as tailwater conditions that may exist and affect
upstream storage or pipe flows. XPSWMM 2014, was used to model the storm sewer, ponding and
overland flow systems within the City of Edina. Since 2018, some detailed study areas in the City utilized
2-dimensional (2D) modeling in XPSWMM to add additional detail and more accurately reflect hydrologic
and hydraulic conditions. These detailed study areas are maintained in separate models and integrated
into the citywide inundation mapping. Additional detail regarding modeling methodology is provided in
Appendix A.
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2.2.2 Watershed Management Organizations
Edina lies within two major watersheds: the Minnehaha Creek watershed and Nine Mile Creek watershed.
As a result, two watershed management organizations cover Edina, each with its own governing body.
Additional information on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Nine Mile Creek Watershed
District is provided below.
2.2.2.1 Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) spans approximately 180 square miles and consists of
27 cities and three townships on the western edge of the Twin Cities area. The watershed includes eight
major creeks, including Minnehaha Creek which meanders through the northeastern part of Edina. The
MCWD also includes 129 lakes, including Lake Harvey and Melody Lake, and thousands of wetlands. The
MCWD adopted their most recent watershed management plan (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Watershed Management Plan) on January 11, 2018.
More information is available at the MCWD website: www.minnehahacreek.org.
2.2.2.2 Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) is approximately 50 square miles and encompasses the
land area draining to Nine Mile Creek, including portions of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins,
Minnetonka, and Richfield. Portions of the North Fork and South Fork of Nine Mile Creek flow through
Edina. The NMCWD also includes over 20 lakes, including Lake Edina, Lake Cornelia, Arrowhead Lake,
Indianhead Lake, Hawkes Lake, Highlands Lake, and Mirror Lake, and many wetlands. The NMCWD
adopted their most recent watershed management plan (Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Water
Management Plan) on October 18, 2017.
More information is available at the NMCWD’s website: http://www.ninemilecreek.org/
2.2.3 Land Use
The city of Edina is fully urbanized. Less than 1 percent of the developable area within the city, not
including wetland, floodplain, or park land uses, remains available for development. Figure 2.2 shows the
land use classifications for the city. The 2018 Edina Comprehensive Plan provides additional information
about the existing and projected (2040) land uses in the city. The projected 2040 land use is provided
online via the City’s “Maps” page, when available.
2.2.4 Soils
The infiltration capacity of soils affects the amount of direct runoff resulting from rainfall. Soils with a
higher infiltration rate have a lower runoff potential. Conversely, soils with low infiltration rates produce
high runoff volumes and high peak runoff rates. According to the Hennepin County soil survey, the
underlying soils in the City of Edina are predominantly classified as hydrologic soil group B, with moderate
infiltration rates. The underlying soils in the southern portions of the City are classified as hydrologic soil
group A, characterized by high infiltration rates. The underlying soils surrounding the floodplain of Nine
Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek and around many of the natural wetlands within the City are classified
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
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as hydrologic soil group D, with very slow infiltration rates. Figure 2.3 depicts the hydrologic soils group
classification for soils within the City of Edina.
2.2.5 Topography
The topography of the City varies from relatively flat land along portions of Nine Mile Creek and
Minnehaha Creek to very hilly land in the southwest portion of the City. Generally, the topography
throughout the City consists of moderately rolling hills. The elevations generally vary from 980 to 880 feet
(National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or NGVD 29) at the divide between the Minnehaha Creek and
Nine Mile Creek watersheds to elevations between 812 and 850 feet where each creek exits the City.
The City of Edina has older 2-foot contour data (Markhurd, 2000) coverage for the entire City; this
information was used for the 2003 WRMP and is available from the City Engineering Department. The
MnDNR has newer (2011) and higher resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) topographic data
that was used for this plan update.
2.2.6 Water Quality
2.2.6.1 Water Quality Monitoring
Lake Monitoring
While the City of Edina does not have a water quality monitoring program, several lakes and streams
within the city are monitored periodically by watershed districts and volunteer programs. The NMCWD
conducts periodic monitoring of several lakes within the city, including Arrowhead Lake, Lake Cornelia,
Lake Edina, Indianhead Lake, and Mirror Lake. The NMCWD’s lake monitoring program includes analysis
of a range of parameters, including phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, chlorides, clarity/transparency,
temperature, pH, specific conductivity and dissolved oxygen. In addition, the NMCWD typically completes
phytoplankton (algae) and zooplankton monitoring and conducts early-summer and late-summer aquatic
plant (macrophyte) surveys.
In addition to the lake monitoring data collected by the NMCWD, water quality data has also been
collected for several lakes by resident monitoring volunteers as part of the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen-
Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP). The lakes within the city that have been monitored as part of CAMP
include Pamela, Cornelia, Edina, Harvey, and Hawkes lakes. The locations of these lakes are shown in
Figure 2.4. Volunteer monitoring through the CAMP program has historically been funded by the
watershed districts.
A summary of the historic summer average total phosphorus concentrations for the monitored lakes in
Edina is provided in Table 2.1. The summary reflects the data collected by both the NMCWD and the
Metropolitan Council CAMP over the most recent ten years when data was collected. As can be seen in
the table, the available data is limited for many of the Edina lakes. It should be noted that lakes and ponds
are dynamic, so that relatively infrequent sampling cannot provide a complete picture of the status of the
water body in question. The situation is further complicated by the impossibility of inferring statistically
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significant trends from relatively few water quality sampling results. A minimum of about 10 (summer
average) data points is thought to be required to reliably identify a water quality trend.
Creek Monitoring
The NMCWD has two continuous flow monitoring stations within or near Edina; one along the North Fork
of Nine Mile Creek at the Metro Boulevard crossing, and another along the South Fork of Nine Mile Creek
at the 78th Street crossing, just south of the city boundary with Bloomington (see Figure 2.4). The
monitoring stations collect data on stream flow and several water quality parameters, including turbidity,
nutrients, and chlorides. The water quality monitoring data is available from the NMCWD upon request.
The MCWD has two monitoring stations along Minnehaha Creek; one near the intersection of West 56th
Street and Woodland Drive, just west of France Avenue, and another at Mill Pond, upstream of Browndale
Dam. The west 56th Street station has consistently been monitored since 2009. MCWD had a third station,
just below Browndale Dam, beginning in 1996. This station was discontinued in 2016.
Continuous stream level data is collected to determine stream flow at the Mill Pond station. Instantaneous
discharge and water quality samples are collected bi-weekly at the West 56th Street station. Samples are
analyzed bi-weekly for total phosphorus and total suspended solids (TSS), and monthly for chloride
during the months of March-October. E. coli is collected weekly during the months of April – October.
Samples are analyzed monthly during the winter (November-February).
Table 2.1 Summer (June-September) Average Total Phosphorus Concentrations for Edina Lakes
Lake Year
Summer Average Total Phosphorus Concentration (µg/L)
Data Collection Entity 1,2
North Lake Cornelia
2007 211 MCES CAMP
2008 153 NMCWD and MCES CAMP
2009 111 MCES CAMP
2013 165 NMCWD and MCES CAMP
2014 84 MCES CAMP
2015 139 NMCWD and MCES CAMP
2016 114 NMCWD
2017 197 NMCWD
2020 150 NMCWD
2021 161 NMCWD
Average3 141
South Lake Cornelia
2008 150 NMCWD
2013 114 NMCWD
2015 122 NMCWD
2016 149 NMCWD
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Lake Year
Summer Average Total Phosphorus Concentration (µg/L)
Data Collection Entity 1,2
2017 174 NMCWD
2020 97 NMCWD
2021 97 NMCWD
Average3 121
Mirror Lake
2004 119 NMCWD
2012 104 NMCWD
2019 89 NMCWD
2021 98 NMCWD
Average3 97
Arrowhead Lake
2011 52 NMCWD
2014 65 NMCWD
2019 74 NMCWD
2020 80 NMCWD
Average3 68
Indianhead Lake
2011 53 NMCWD
2014 61 NMCWD
2019 146 NMCWD
2020 115 NMCWD
Average3 94
Harvey Lake 2011 53 CAMP
Average3 53
Pamela Lake
2004 78 CAMP
2005 73 CAMP
Average3 76
Lake Edina
2008 120 NMCWD
2012 146 NMCWD
2015 85 NMCWD
2017 77 NMCWD
2020 126 NMCWD
2021 189 NMCWD
Average3 124
1 Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) for Lakes 2 Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) lake monitoring program 3 Average based on 10-year period dating from most recent data
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2.2.6.2 Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads
The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to adopt water quality standards to protect the nation’s
waters. Water quality standards designate beneficial uses for each waterbody and establish criteria that
must be met within the waterbody to maintain the water quality necessary to support its designated
use(s). Section 303(d) of the CWA requires each state to identify and establish priority rankings for waters
that do not meet the water quality standards. The list of impaired waters, or 303(d) list, is updated by the
state every two years.
For impaired waterbodies, the CWA requires the development of a total maximum daily load (TMDL). A
TMDL is a threshold calculation of the amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet
water quality standards. A TMDL establishes the pollutant loading capacity within a waterbody and
develops an allocation scheme amongst the various contributors, which include point sources, non-point
sources and natural background, as well as a margin of safety. As a part of the allocation scheme a waste
load allocation is developed to determine allowable pollutant loadings from individual point sources
(including loads from storm sewer networks), and a load allocation also establishes allowable pollutant
loadings from non-point sources and natural background levels in a waterbody.
Impaired waters located within the City of Edina, as identified by the MPCA’s 2022 Impaired Waters List,
include: Lake Cornelia (North Basin), Lake Cornelia (South Basin), Lake Edina, Nine Mile Creek (South Fork),
Nine Mile Creek (from headwaters to Metro Boulevard and between Metro Boulevard and an unnamed
wetland) and Minnehaha Creek. These waterbodies are listed in Table 2.2 along with the affected MPCA
designated use, the pollutant or stressor that is not meeting the MPCA water quality criteria, and the
MPCA target for starting and completing the TMDL process.
The MPCA is using a systematic watershed approach to address impaired waters and TMDLs, whereas
intensive water quality monitoring and assessments are being conducted in each of the states 80 major
watersheds during a 10-year cycle. The MPCA developed a process termed Watershed Restoration and
Protection Strategy (WRAPS) to identify and address water quality threats in each major watershed. The
four primary steps of the WRAPS process include 1) monitoring water quality and collecting data,
2) assessing the data, 3) developing strategies to restore and protect water bodies within the watershed,
and 4) conducting restoration and protection projects. TMDLs are conducted for impaired water bodies as
part of the WRAPS process.
The MPCA completed a WRAPS study addressing the Lower Minnesota River in 2017 that included the
Nine Mile Creek watershed. The City of Edina participated in the process as a stakeholder. Building off of
the Lower Minnesota River WRAPS, the MPCA completed the Lower Minnesota River Watershed TMDL
Part II – Northern Watersheds (MPCA, February 2020). The TMDL addresses Lake Cornelia (North and
South basins), Lake Edina, and Nine Mile Creek.
TMDL requirements and associated wasteload allocations are incorporated into the City’s NPDES Phase II
MS4 permit. The City may amend this WRMP to incorporate future TMDL requirements, as needed.
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Table 2.2 City of Edina Waterbodies on MPCA's 303(d) Impaired Waters List
Reach/Waterbody1 Description Affected Use Pollutant or Stressor Target Dates for Completing TMDL
Lake Cornelia (North Basin) Aquatic Recreation
Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators 20222
Lake Cornelia (South Basin) Aquatic Recreation
Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators 20202
Lake Edina Aquatic Recreation
Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators 20222
Nine Mile Creek Headwaters to Metro Boulevard Aquatic Life Fish Bioassessments 2028
Nine Mile Creek Metro Boulevard to end of unnamed wetland Aquatic Life Aquatic macroinvertebrate bioassessments 2028
Nine Mile Creek Metro Boulevard to end of unnamed wetland Aquatic Life Fish Bioassessments 2028
Nine Mile Creek (South Fork) Smetana Lake to Nine Mile Creek Aquatic Life Aquatic macroinvertebrate bioassessments 2024/2028
Nine Mile Creek (South Fork) Smetana Lake to Nine Mile Creek Aquatic Life Fish Bioassessments 2024/2028
Minnehaha Creek Lake Minnetonka to Mississippi River Aquatic Life Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 2024
Minnehaha Creek Headwaters to Minnesota River Aquatic Life Fish Bioassessments 2024
Minnehaha Creek Lake Minnetonka to Mississippi River Aquatic Recreation Fecal Coliform 20133
Minnehaha Creek Lake Minnetonka to Mississippi River Aquatic Life Chloride 20164
Minnehaha Creek Lake Minnetonka to Mississippi River Aquatic Life Dissolved Oxygen 2024
1 Information based on the 2022 impaired waters list, finalized April 29, 2022.
2 Impairment addressed by Lower Minnesota River TMDL – Part II: Northern Watersheds (February, 2020).
3 Impairment addressed by Minnehaha Creek Bacteria and Lake Hiawatha Nutrients TMDL (October, 2013).
4 Impairment addressed by Twin Cities Metro Area Chloride TMDL (February, 2016).
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Nine Mile Creek
Nine Mile Creek is currently on the 303(d) Impaired Waters List for an aquatic life impairment due to a fish
biota impairment. In 2009, the MPCA and NMCWD began development of a TMDL to address the biotic
impairment. The City of Edina participated as a stakeholder in the TMDL process. The TMDL included a
biological stressor identification study to determine the causes of the Nine Mile Creek biological
impairment for fish (MPCA, 2010). The study concluded:
• The probable cause of impairment on the South Fork of Nine Mile Creek is inadequate dissolved
oxygen. Although the impairment can be caused by numerous stressors, the data suggests that
inadequate dissolved oxygen is the most prominent of the stressors, followed by excess sediment
and inadequate base flow.
• The probable causes of impairment on the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek are inadequate
dissolved oxygen and excess sediment.
In 2004, the MPCA determined that Nine Mile Creek did not meet the chloride standard for streams and
listed Nine Mile Creek as impaired. A TMDL was completed in 2010 to identify management measures to
reduce chloride levels in Nine Mile Creek. The study determined that a 63% reduction in the existing
watershed chloride load estimated for Nine Mile Creek would be required, to be achieved through
management of road salt inputs from both road authorities and commercial and private applicators. The
NMCWD requires applicants for permit under its stormwater management rule (excluding single family
homes) to complete a chloride management plan that designates chloride applicators that are MPCA-
certified. More information about the NMCWD’s chloride reduction efforts is available at:
https://www.ninemilecreek.org/get-involved/learn/salt-reduction/.
The City has also invested in training, public education, technology upgrades, technical assistance, and
equipment replacement/retrofits to reduce salt loading.
Minnehaha Creek and Lake Hiawatha
Minnehaha Creek is currently on the 303(d) list for several impairments, including an aquatic life
impairment due to fish biota, aquatic macroinvertebrates, chloride, and dissolved oxygen and an aquatic
recreation impairment due to fecal coliform.
Lake Hiawatha, located on Minnehaha Creek downstream of the City of Edina, is also on the impaired
waters list for excess nutrients and eutrophication biological indicators. The MPCA and MCWD initiated
the TMDL development process in 2009 to address an E. coli bacteria impairment (originally listed as fecal
coliform) in Minnehaha Creek and a nutrient impairment in downstream Lake Hiawatha. The City of Edina
participated in the stakeholder process. The TMDL, approved in 2014, includes a categorical E. coli
wasteload allocation for all MS4s within the watershed and a 50% total phosphorus load reduction target
to Minnehaha Creek (MPCA, 2013). An individual wasteload allocation of 50%, or 424 lbs total phosphorus
from June 1 through September 30, has been assigned to the City.
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The chloride impairment for Minnehaha Creek is being addressed as part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area Chloride Total Maximum Daily Load Study (MPCA, 2016).
The MPCA’s 2016 proposed 303(d) list also includes an aquatic life impairment for Minnehaha Creek due
to low dissolved oxygen levels.
Lake Cornelia
Lake Cornelia (North Basin) and Lake Cornelia (South Basin) are included on the MPCA’s 2022 Impaired
Waters list for excess nutrients and eutrophication biological indicators. The Lake Cornelia impairments
are addressed as part of the Lower Minnesota River WRAPS and TMDL – Part II: Northern Watersheds led
by the MPCA and NMCWD and completed in 2020. A wasteload allocation of 93 lbs of total phosphorus
reduction from June 1 to September 30 is assigned to the City, corresponding to a 49% reduction in
loading.
In 2004–2005, the NMCWD completed a draft use attainability analysis (UAA) for Lake Cornelia, which is a
scientific assessment of a water body’s physical, chemical, and biological condition (Barr Engineering,
2006). The study included a water quality assessment and prescription of protective and/or remedial
measures for the lake and its tributary watershed. In 2010 and again in 2019, the NMCWD updated the
UAA based on additional lake water quality data, to verify the conclusions of the prior UAAs and evaluate
several additional remedial measures to improve lake water quality (NMCWD, July 2019). In 2020, the
NMCWD completed a feasibility study to evaluate potential Lake Cornelia water quality improvement
actions (NMCWD, July 2020). The NMCWD performed an in-lake alum treatment in 2020 to reduce
internal phosphorus loading from lake sediment and constructed a stormwater filtration BMP in Rosland
Park to treat stormwater entering Lake Cornelia. Since 2017, the City has managed curlyleaf pondweed in
Lake Cornelia, an invasive species and source of phosphorus.
The City of Edina will continue to partner with the NMCWD in implementing potential remedial measures
for the lake(s) and its watershed recommended as part of the NMCWD UAA, MPCA WRAPS, and
subsequent applicable studies to improve the water quality of Lake Cornelia.
Lake Edina
Lake Edina is included on the MPCA’s Impaired Waters list for excess nutrients and eutrophication
biological indicators. The Lake Edina impairment is addressed as part of the Lower Minnesota River
WRAPS and TMDL – Part II: Northern Watersheds led by the MPCA and NMCWD and completed in 2020.
A wasteload allocation of 74 lbs of total phosphorus reduction from June 1 to September 30 is assigned
to the City, corresponding to a 34% reduction in loading.
In 2019, the NMCWD updated the Lake Cornelia UAA to include Lake Edina – the UAA evaluates possible
measures to improve lake water quality (NMCWD, July 2019). In 2020, the NMCWD completed a feasibility
study to further evaluate potential water quality improvement actions for Lake Edina (NMCWD, July 2020).
As of 2022, a stormwater treatment retrofit of Lynmar Basin is under construction in the Lake Edina
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watershed. Due to Lake Edina’s location downstream of Lake Cornelia, City and NMCWD efforts to
improve Lake Cornelia water quality are anticipated to benefit Lake Edina water quality.
The City of Edina will continue to partner with the NMCWD in identifying and implementing potential
remedial measures for the lake and its watershed recommended in the NMCWD UAA, MPCA WRAPS, and
subsequent applicable studies to improve the water quality of Lake Edina.
Other Downstream Waterbodies
There are also impaired lakes and streams outside the City that receive stormwater from Edina and are the
subject of completed or future TMDL studies, including Lake Hiawatha, the Mississippi and Minnesota
Rivers, and Lake Pepin. The City has been assigned a wasteload allocation to address the Lake Hiawatha
TMDL. The City has also been assigned a categorical wasteload allocation from the South Metro
Mississippi River Total Suspended Solids (TSS) TMDL of 154 lbs/acre/year. The City is currently meeting
this TSS wasteload allocation. The City is also subject to a 0.35 lbs/acre/year of total phosphorus
categorical wasteload allocation stemming from the Lake Pepin and Mississippi River Eutrophication
TMLD (MPCA, April 2021).
The City may need to amend the WRMP to implement future requirements related to any downstream
water body.
2.2.7 Wetlands
The wetlands in the City of Edina are an important community asset. These resources supply aesthetic and
recreational benefits, in addition to providing wildlife habitat and refuge. To provide a basis for wetland
protection efforts, the City completed a planning-level inventory and field assessment of all the wetlands
within the City in 1999. In 2003, the MCWD developed a Functional Assessment of Wetlands (FAW) to
provide a comprehensive inventory and assessment of existing wetland functions within the district. The
City adopts the MCWD FAW for portions of the City within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. Figure 2.5
depicts the wetlands that were identified and assessed as part of these two wetland inventories. Note that
the wetlands identified within the MCWD are based on the 2003 FAW, and the remainder are based on
the City’s 1999 planning-level inventory.
2.2.7.1 City of Edina Wetlands Inventory—1999
The City used a modified version of the Minnesota Routine Assessment Method for Evaluating Wetland
Functions (commonly referred to as "MnRAM") version 2.0 to assess wetlands in the City. A description of
the modified MnRAM version 2.0 and associated field data sheets are included in Appendix F and
Appendix G of the 2018 City of Edina Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan.
The City’s 1999 wetland survey evaluated dominant vegetation and the following functions and values:
• Hydrology
• Vegetative diversity
• Wildlife habitat
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• Fishery habitat
• Flood/stormwater attenuation
• Water quality protection
• Shoreline protection
• Aesthetics, recreation, and educational value
The City inventory also evaluated the sensitivity of wetlands to stormwater inputs based on wetland type
and developed management recommendations for bounce (i.e., water level increase), discharge rate, and
inundation period based on wetland sensitivity to stormwater inputs.
2.2.7.2 MCWD FAW—2003
In 2001-2003, the MCWD undertook a FAW within the entire MCWD, which covers the northeast portion
of the City of Edina. This assessment included the evaluation of the majority of wetlands within the MCWD
including the verification of the presence of a wetland, the mapping of the approximate wetland
boundary, and assessment of wetland functions. More information is available from the MCWD at:
https://www.minnehahacreek.org/
2.2.8 Public Waters
The MnDNR has designated certain waters of the state as public waters (Minn. Rules 6115.1060). MnDNR
“Public Waters Inventory (PWI)” maps show public waters within the City. A MnDNR permit is required for
work that would alter the course, current, or cross-section of a designated public water. PWI maps show
public waters as one of the following: public water basin; public water wetland; public water watercourse;
or, public ditch/altered natural watercourse.
Table 2.4 lists the MnDNR Public Waters within the city. The table includes the MnDNR identifier for each
pond, as well as the corresponding subwatershed for this stormwater study. Public water basins are
identified with a number and the letter “P”. Public water wetlands are identified with a number and the
letter “W”. Public wetlands include, and are limited to, Type 3, 4, and 5 wetlands that have been
designated as public waters and are 2½ acres or more in size (10 acres in unincorporated areas). More
information about public waters classification is available from the MDNR at:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/pwi/maps.html
Public water courses and ditches in Edina include:
• Minnehaha Creek
• North Fork of Nine Mile Creek
• South Fork of Nine Mile Creek
• Braemar Branch of Nine Mile Creek
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Table 2.3 MnDNR Public Waters within Edina
Waterbody ID Public Waters Class Public Waters or Local Name Corresponding Subwatershed ID(s) Known MnDNR OHWL (vertical datum)
27002801 P Cornelia (North) NC_62
27002802 P Cornelia (South) SC_1
27002900 P Lake Edina LE_1
27004100 P Edina Mill Pond MHC_ 2
27004400 P Indianhead Lake IH_1 863.7 (NGVD29)
27004500 P Arrowhead Lake AH_1 875.8 (NGVD29)
27005000 P Bredesen MD_50, MD_1
27005400 P Meadowbrook Lake Outside City subwatersheds
27005500 P Mirror Lake ML_1, ML_32
27005600 P Hawkes Lake HL_1
27066600 W EI_19
27066700 W Annaway Pond EI_1
27066800 P Highlands Park Pond HI_1
27066900 W Melody Lake ML_8 886.9 (NAVD88)
27067000 W Lake Harvey MHS_22
27067100 P Birchcrest NMC_112
27067200 W CO_1
27067300 P Heights EdCrk11
27067400 W NMC_77
27067500 P Pamela Pond LP_26
27067600 W West Garrison Pond NC_5
27067700 W Nancy NC_2
27067800 W Otto Pond NC_30
27067900 W Swim Pool Pond NC_3
27068000 W Point of France Pond NC_4
27078000 W EI_32
27078100 W ML_28
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Waterbody ID Public Waters Class Public Waters or Local Name Corresponding Subwatershed ID(s) Known MnDNR OHWL (vertical datum)
27078200 W ML_16
27079900 W NMN_76, NMN_55
27080000 W NMN_75
27080100 W NMN_50
27080200 W MD_25
27080300 W MD_21
27080400 W EdCrk3
27080500 W Habitat Pond NMN_24
27080600 W Pauly's Pond AH_6
27080700 W Garrison Pond EP_2
27080800 W EP_2
27101300 W
BRCrk4, BRCrk14, BRCrk15, BRCrk16, BRCrk17, BRCrk18
27103800 W SWP_3
27103900 W SWP_5, SWP_14, SWP_35
27104000 W SWP_1, SWP_2, SWP_4
27104100 W NMS_3
27110600 W EdCrk5
2.2.9 Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Open Space
The City of Edina has numerous community parks, neighborhood parks, and other public open space
recreational areas. Figure 2.6 shows the numerous parks and recreational areas within the City of Edina.
Lakes, ponds, and creeks are often key attractions in public parks; examples within Edina include Arden
Park, Bredesen Park, Pamela Park, Rosland Park, Utley Park, Centennial Lakes Park, and Weber Park. The
City of Edina currently owns and maintains approximately 350 acres of natural resource open space areas,
which includes 148 acres along the Nine Mile Creek right-of-way and 23 acres along the Minnehaha Creek
right-of-way. The city is basically fully developed and is therefore no longer actively acquiring additional
property to develop as park land or open space. However, the City plans to retain all of the current
publicly owned park land and consider any additional property that may be offered in the future as
potential additional park property. The City will also seek to acquire additional park and open space land
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as more private land becomes available for public acquisition. Additional parks information is available in
the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
2.2.10 Public Utilities
Edina is completely within the Metropolitan Council’s designated Metropolitan Urban Service Area
(MUSA). The MUSA is the area in the seven county metro area in which the Metropolitan Council ensures
that regional services and facilities are provided or planned. The City of Edina provides sanitary sewer and
water service throughout the City.
2.2.11 Fish and Wildlife Habitat
The waterbodies and open spaces interspersed throughout the City provide habitat for numerous fish and
wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Ducks and geese are present in large numbers at
lakes, wetlands, and open water areas. Vegetative cover in the undeveloped open areas support many
mammalian species such as deer, raccoon, squirrels, fox, chipmunks, and rabbits. The wetlands in Edina
provide habitat for a variety of aquatic species including snakes, turtles, and frogs.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) has completed fishery surveys of four lakes
within the City of Edina. The most recent surveys were of Lake Cornelia in 2019 and Centennial Lake in
2011. Both of these lakes are part of the MnDNR’s Fishing in the Neighborhood program. Lake Cornelia
and Centennial Lake have been stocked by the MnDNR, and Arrowhead Lake and Indianhead Lake have
been stocked by residents in cooperation with the MnDNR in recent years. Table 2.3 summarizes the
available fishery survey, stocking, and aquatic invasive species information available for the waterbodies
within the City of Edina. Invasive species observed within City lakes and Minnehaha Creek (and the year
identified, if known) include:
• Arrowhead Lake: curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil (1995), purple loosestrife
• Indianhead Lake: curlyleaf pondweed, purple loosestrife, yellow iris
• Lake Cornelia: curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, hybrid cattail,
goldfish, common carp
• Lake Edina: curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil,
• Lake Nancy: curlyleaf pondweed
• Melody Lake: curlyleaf pondweed
• Mirror Lake: curlyleaf pondweed
• Minnehaha Creek Meadowbrook Creek: zebra mussels (2010)
• Minnehaha Creek Mill Pond: Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, curlyleaf pondweed zebra
mussels (2010)
• Minnehaha Creek: Eurasian watermilfoil (1989), flowering rush (2009), zebra mussels (2010)
Invasive species information is based on City macrophyte surveys and the MnDNR List of Infested Waters
website at: http://www.eddmaps.org/midwest/tools/infestedwaters/
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Table 2.4 Fishery and Aquatic Invasive Species Information
Water Resource Survey Year
Fishery 1
Stocking 2 Dominant Fish Species
Lakes
Lake Cornelia
2005 Bluegill: 2001-2005 Bluegill, Black Crappie, Carp
2010 Bluegill: 2007-2010 Black Bullhead
2019
Bluegill: 2011-2012, 2014-2016 Black Crappie: 2014 Hybrid Sunfish: 2014 Pumpkinseed Sunfish: 2014
Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish
2020 Bluegill: 2020-2021 Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish
Arrowhead Lake
1995 Bluegill: 1994 Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish
2021 Bluegill: 2016 Largemouth Bass: 2016 Bluegill Sunfish
2022 Bluegill Sunfish
Centennial Lake
2006 Bluegill: 2001-2006, Largemouth Bass: 2002-2006 Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish
2011
Bluegill: 2007-2012, 2014-17, 2020 Black Crappie: 2017 Largemouth Bass: 2007-2009, 2014 Northern Pike: 2007-2010, 2013-2014 Pumpkinseed Sunfish: 2016
Black Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish
Indianhead Lake 2021
Bass: 2008, 2013, 2016
Black Crappie: 2008, 2013, 2016 Bluegill: 2008-2009, 2013, 2016 Hybrid Sunfish: 2016 Walleye: 2008
Black Crappie, Bluegill Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish
2022 Black Crappie, Bluegill Sunfish
Streams
Minnehaha Creek N/A N/A N/A
Meadowbrook (connected to Minnehaha Creek) N/A N/A N/A
Edina Mill Pond (connected to Minnehaha Creek) N/A N/A N/A
1 – Fisheries information from the MnDNR LakeFinder website (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/)
2 – Stocking reports available for 1998-2022 from the MnDNR LakeFinder website (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/)
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2.2.12 Unique Features and Scenic Areas
The MnDNR Natural Heritage Program and Nongame Wildlife Program maintain a database of rare plant
or animal species and significant natural features. This database includes only one record of a rare or
threatened species observance in Edina; a Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea Blandingii) was observed in 1989
in the southeast portion of the City (see Figure 2.7). The Blanding’s Turtle was classified as a threatened
species in Minnesota in 1984.
Other information was reviewed to determine whether other unique features are present in Edina. Based
on this review, no Outstanding Resource Value Waters (Minnesota Rules 7050.0180), Designated Scientific
and Natural Areas (Minn. Stat. 86A.05), State Wildlife Management Areas (Minn. Stat. 86A.05), or State
Aquatic Management Areas (Minn. Stat 86A.05) are located within the City of Edina.
2.2.13 Pollutant Sources
The MPCA’s “What’s in My Neighborhood” online application provides a variety of environmental
information for communities. The interactive web map provides information about environmental permits
issued by the MPCA, registrations and notifications required by the MPCA, and investigations of
potentially contaminated properties undertaken by the MPCA or its partners. The map shows the
approximate locations of registered storage tanks, leak sites, hazardous waste generators, dump sites,
Superfund sites, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup
(VIC) sites, as obtained from the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services. The Hennepin
County Department of Environmental Services should be contacted for details about specific sites, since
many of the sites have been cleaned up or are in the clean-up process.
2.2.13.1 Investigation and Cleanup Sites
Dump sites include both unpermitted and permitted dump sites. Unpermitted dump sites are historic
landfills that never held a valid permit from the MPCA. Generally, these dump sites existed prior to the
MPCA’s permitting program, which was initiated in 1967. Unpermitted dump sites were often old farm or
municipal disposal sites that accepted household waste.
The MPCA VIC Program is a non-petroleum brownfield program that provides technical assistance and
administrative or legal assurances for individuals or businesses seeking to investigate or clean-up
contaminated property and to bring contaminated land back into productive use.
There is currently one MPCA Superfund Site within the City of Edina. This site is the Edina Well Field.
Additional information on this site can be obtained from the MPCA. In the early 2000s, the City of Edina
detected elevated levels of vinyl chloride in Municipal Well Number 7. Preliminary investigations found
several volatile organic compounds in nearby groundwater resulting in the City discontinuing use of Well
Number 7 in October 2003. Well Number 7 came online again after a high-capacity treatment plant
(Water Treatment Facility No. 6) was built at the Danen’s Building (5116 Brookside Avenue) in 2012. The
plant is equipped with an aeration system specially designed to filter out vinyl chloride. The City regularly
tests for vinyl chloride and Edina’s water meets the criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
2-19
2.2.13.2 Tank Sites and Leak Sites
Tank sites include registered petroleum tank facilities, both underground and above ground. Leak sites
are locations where a release of petroleum products has occurred from a tank system. Leak sites can occur
from aboveground or underground tank systems, or from spills at tank facilities. A leak can result from an
accident or from activities that occurred over a long period of time. Many of the known leak sites are
related to releases from underground fuel oil tanks.
2.2.13.3 Individual Sewage Treatment Systems
If properly functioning, individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS) typically do not impact the water
quality of surface or ground water resources. However, improperly functioning systems can negatively
impact water resources and are a source of ground and surface water contamination. City records indicate
that there are four known ISTS throughout the City.
2.2.14 Groundwater
The City of Edina operates two separate water systems: the Morningside water system and the Edina
water system. The Morningside system is supplied with treated surface water from the City of
Minneapolis; the City of Edina does not appropriate any surface water for its municipal water supply. The
water supply for the Edina system is groundwater, obtained from 17 groundwater wells, ranging in depth
from about 400 to 1,100 feet. The City’s current groundwater appropriation permit limits the City’s
groundwater pumping to 17,500 gallons per minute or 3,000,000,000 gallons per year.
Wellhead protection programs are intended to help prevent contamination of public drinking water
supplies. The City’s Wellhead Protection Plan is available online. Part II of the Wellhead Protection plan
includes results of the City’s Potential Contaminant Source Inventory (PCSI). The City provides updates of
its Wellhead Protection Plan and associated programs to the MCWD and/or NMCWD, as needed.
Wellhead Protection information can also be found on the City’s Interactive Water Resources Map.
Mud Lake
Lake Cornelia
Lake Edina
Mirror Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Indianhead Lake
Highlands Lake
Melody Lake
Lake Pamela
Harvey Lake
Hawkes Lake
Centennial Lakes
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Nine Mile Creek - North
Nine MileCreek - Central
Nine MileCreek - South
SoutheastMinnehaha Creek
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NorthwestMinnehaha Creek
Nine Mile -South Fork
Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam's Hill
NortheastMinnehaha Creek
TH 169North
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reek
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FIGURE 2.1
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
Lake/Pond
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo 2016
Mud Lake
Lake Cornelia
Lake Edina
Mirror Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Indianhead Lake
Highlands Lake
Melody Lake
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B l o o m i n g t o nBloomingtonSouthBranchNineMileCreek
NorthBranchNineMileCreek
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FIGURE 2.2
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
Land Use Classification
Golf Course
Industrial or Utility
Institutional
Major Highway
Mixed Use Commercial
Mixed Use Industrial
Mixed Use Residential
Multifamily
Office
Open Water
Park, Recreational, or Preserve
Retail and Other Commercial
Single Family Attached
Single Family Detached
Undeveloped
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
Data Source: Metropolitan Council, 2020
1
Mud Lake
Lake Cornelia
Lake Edina
Mirror Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Indianhead Lake
Highlands Lake
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Lake Pamela
Harvey Lake
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Centennial Lakes
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FIGURE 2.3
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
Hydrologic Soil Groups
A - High infiltration rates.
Low runoff Potential.
B - Moderate infiltration rates.Low to medium runoff potential.
C - Slow infiltration rates.
Medium to high runoff potential.
D - Very slow infiltration rates.High runoff potential.
Not rated or not available
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
^_
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Nine Mile CreekWatershed District
Minnehaha CreekWatershed District
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H o p k i n sHopkins
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FIGURE 2.4
0 3,000
Feet
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¸#MCWD StreamMonitoring Station1
¸#NMCWD StreamMonitoring Stations1
^_Lake Water QualitySampling Locations1
Watershed District Boundary
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
Lake/Pond
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
1Monitoring is conducted periodicallyby NMCWD, MCWD, and CAMP Volunteers. Watershed district monitoring is on a rotating basis
based on each district plan. Volunteer monitoring sites are subject to change.
Mud Lake
Lake Cornelia
Lake Edina
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FIGURE 16.2
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
Watershed District Boundary
Streets and Highways
City of Edina Boundary
Wetland Type*
Unclassified
Type 1
Type 1 Predominant + Others
Type 2
Type 2 Predominant + Others
Type 3
Type 3 Predominant + Others
Type 4
Type 5
Type 5 Predominant + Others
Type 6
Type 7
Type 7 Predominant + Others
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
*Based on the Fish and Wildlife ServiceCircular 39 Classification System.
Wetlands within the Minnehaha CreekWatershed District were identified andassessed in 2005 as part of theMinnehaha Creek Functional Assessmentof Wetlands. Wetlands located in theremaining portion of the city wereidentified and assessed in 1999 as partof the City of Edina’s wetland inventory.
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Braemar Park (Courtney Fields)
Bredesen Park
Rosland Park
Pamela Park
Lewis Park
Highlands Park
Walnut Ridge Park
T. Lea Todd Park
Open Space 1
Heights Park
Garden Park
Heights Park
Lincoln Drive Floodplain
Van Valkenburg Park
Fred Richards Golf Course
Arden Park
Krahl Hill
Creek Valley School Park
Lake Edina Park
Normandale Park
Weber Field Park
Arneson Acres Park
Countryside Park
Weber Woods
Centennial Lakes Park
Open Space 2
Open Space 3
Centennial Lakes Park
Alden Park
Utley Park
Open Space 2
Moore Property
Pamela Park
York Park
Yorktown Park
Centennial Lakes Park
Cornelia School Park
Wooddale Park
Strachauer Park
Garden Park
Open Space 5
Fox Meadow Park
Kojetin Park
Edinborough Park
Arden Park
Garden Park
McGuire Park
Fox Meadow Park
Birchcrest Park
Sherwood Park
Garden Park Addition
Melody Lake Park
Chowen Park
Open Space 2
Centennial Lakes Park
St. John's Park
Tingdale Park
York Park
Browndale Park
York Park
Frank Tupa Park
Grandview Square
Open Space 6
M i n n e ap o l i sMinneapolis
H o p k i n sHopkins
E d e n P r a i r i eEden P r a i r i e
R i c hf i e l dRichfield
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M i n n e t o n k aMinnetonka
S a i n t L o ui s P a r kSaint L o ui s P a r k
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FIGURE 2.6
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
Park/Recreational Area
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
Lake/Pond
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
Mud Lake
Lake Cornelia
Lake Edina
Mirror Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Indianhead Lake
Highlands Lake
Melody Lake
Lake Pamela
Harvey Lake
Hawkes Lake
Centennial Lakes
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M i n n e t o n k aMinnetonka
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FIGURE 2.7
0 3,000
Feet
!;N
NHIS Rare Natural Features
Vertebrate Animal
Invertebrate Animal
Vascular Plant
Animal Assemblage
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
Lake/Pond
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
Data Source:Natural Heritage InformationSystem Rare Features DataCopyright 2017 State of Minnesota,Department of Natural Resources
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-1
3.0 Water Resources Management and
Implementation Program
The City of Edina provides three core services through its water resources program: flood risk and
stormwater management, clean water services, and natural resources restoration and protection
(Figure 3.1). The provision of these services takes place using two primary strategies: physical
infrastructure and programmatic activities.
Figure 3.1 Core Services of Water Resources Program
This chapter describes the activities that support each of the three core service areas and some of the
policy issues around the provision and growth of service. This chapter also discusses resources, financial
considerations, and implementation priorities. Table 3.5 summarizes details of the City’s implementation
program activities, including a project description, planning level cost estimate, potential funding sources,
and estimated schedule for implementation.
Table 3.6 summarizes the potential implementation activities to be undertaken in the next ten years,
including capital improvements. Funding for capital improvements comes primarily from the City’s
Stormwater Utility, as described in Section 3.5.5 Financial Considerations. The City’s Capital Improvement
Program will set forth, by year, details including proposed schedule, estimated cost, and funding source.
The Capital Improvement Program is described further in Section 3.5.3 Prioritization.
3.1 Water Resources Network: A Combination of Stormwater Assets and Natural Resources
All surface water resources present in Edina are part of the City’s water resources network. This broad
network generally includes two different, but interconnected, types of water resources.
Flood risk and stormwater runoff management
Natural resources restoration and protection
Clean water services
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-2
First, under Minnesota Statutes, the City has authority to build, construct, reconstruct, repair, enlarge,
improve, or in any other manner obtain stormwater sewer facilities, as well as maintain and operate the
facilities inside or outside its corporate limits (Minn. Stat. § 444.075, subd. 1a). The City’s stormwater sewer
system includes facilities built for the collection and disposal
of stormwater, such as mains, holding ponds/areas, and
other appurtenances/related facilities (Minn. Stat. § 444.075,
subd. 1(e)). Stormwater sewer system facilities come in
various forms, such as roads with drainage systems,
municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
designed channels, storm drains, constructed stormwater
ponds, and green stormwater infrastructure. Whether these
facilities are private or public, above or below ground, they
all share one feature in common, they constitute built
infrastructure. In short, these facilities are planned, designed,
constructed, operated, and maintained to collect, convey or
treat stormwater; and prevent or reduce the discharge of
pollutants in stormwater.
Second, the City is home to a variety of environmental
resources, including natural water resources. These natural
water systems receive stormwater, but they are not
constructed facilities and thus are not part of the stormwater
sewer system. Moreover, though natural systems, like creeks,
lakes, and wetlands, may provide stormwater retention or
conveyance benefits, these natural systems serve ecological functions and provide environmental values
to wildlife and people beyond the benefits they provide, if any, for stormwater management.
Together these water resources encompass Edina’s water resources network. Although the two types of
water resources are distinct, provide different values, and serve different functions, the built infrastructure,
which makes up the City’s stormwater sewer system, and the natural water resources, which make up the
environmental system, are interconnected in many ways. For example, surface water can flow amongst
and between natural and built components, and a surface water feature may interact with groundwater
similarly whether the surface water feature is built infrastructure or natural environment.
Stormwater assets are designed,
built, operated, and maintained to
collect, convey or treat stormwater.
Examples include roads with drainage
systems, municipal streets, catch
basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
designed channels, storm drains,
constructed stormwater ponds, and
green stormwater infrastructure.
Natural resources are naturally
occurring surface resources (lakes,
ponds, creeks, wetlands) and
groundwater that may be managed,
protected, and restored consistent
with natural processes. Lakes, ponds,
creeks, and wetlands receive
stormwater but are not part of the
stormwater system.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-3
3.1.1 Public Waters
The MnDNR has designated certain waters of the state as public waters (Minn. Rules 6115.1060). MnDNR
“Public Waters Inventory (PWI)” maps show public waters within the City. A MnDNR permit is required for
work that would alter the course, current, or cross-section of a designated public water. PWI maps show
public waters as one of the following: public water basin; public water wetland; public water watercourse;
or, public ditch/altered natural watercourse. Public waters within the City of Edina are identified in
Section 2.2.8 and Table 2.4.
3.1.2 Wetlands
The wetlands in the City of Edina are an important community asset. To provide a basis for wetland
protection efforts, wetland inventories and field assessments have been completed for wetlands within
the City (see Section 2.2.7), including the MCWD’s 2003 Functional Assessment of Wetlands (FAW). The
City adopts the MCWD FAW for portions of the City within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. As new
wetland information becomes available because of private or public standalone projects, it will be
incorporated into the City’s inventory. As projects that could impact wetlands arise, the City will complete
updated assessments as needed and in cooperation with watershed districts, pursuant to Section 4.3
Wetlands Policies.
Not all wetlands are natural waterbodies. Some constructed stormwater ponds are also classified as
wetlands; however, these waterbodies have exceptions that allow for maintenance.
3.1.3 Natural Resources Monitoring and Inspections
The City does not have a water monitoring program and instead relies on the programs of the overlying
watershed districts for lake and creek water quality and flow monitoring.
City staff occasionally walk the reaches of Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek for the purpose of
noting observations of erosion issues, beaver dams, debris jams, illicit discharges, floodplain
encroachments, etc.
Other natural resource inspections occur on a complaint basis. Often these are related to aquatic
vegetation, discussed further in Section 3.2.3.1.
3.2 Stormwater Infrastructure Asset Management
Asset Management is defined in international standard ISO55000 by the International Standards
Organization (ISO) as “the coordinated activity of an organization to realize value from assets” and an
asset as “any item, thing or entity that has potential or actual value to an organization.” Asset
management is further described by best practice frameworks from organizations such as Infrastructure
Asset Management (IAM), Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA), American Public
Works Association (APWA), and American Water Works Association (AWWA). The stormwater system
assets are operated and maintained by trained professionals whose duty is the safety and well-being of
the customer.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-4
Stormwater infrastructure assets and related programs are managed to understand and react to service
level deficits, identify and manage risk, assess condition and take a lifecycle approach to the operation,
maintenance and replacement of system components, and monitor system performance. Managing aging
infrastructure and adapting to climate change are challenges that the City addresses as it reimagines and
renews its stormwater assets.
3.2.1 Asset Procurement
Assets are created, acquired, or installed to deliver flood risk reduction, runoff management, and clean
water service. Infrastructure for stormwater management and drainage as well as for clean water are
discussed in this section together because of the overlapping services that some assets provide. They are
planned and created through capital investments, and in the case of most private assets, some are created
to meet regulatory requirements.
Infrastructure used to provide flood risk and stormwater runoff management generally includes structural
or engineered control devices and systems designed to store stormwater such as pipes, inlets, constructed
ponds, lift stations, outlet controls, engineered temporary inundation areas, and designed local flood
storage areas, among others. Runoff management and flood risk reduction infrastructure also includes
sump drains (providing a dual purpose with the sanitary sewer infiltration and inflow program), and curb
and gutter (providing dual purpose with erosion sediment control and road maintenance), among others.
Infrastructure used to provide clean water services generally includes underground hydrodynamic
separators (also termed grit chambers), sump manholes, constructed ponds, underground storage and
infiltration facilities, and bioretention basins, among others. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) includes
engineered systems that mimic natural systems to treat polluted runoff. Examples of GSI features include
bioretention basins, bioswales, constructed ponds, and tree trenches.
Smart infrastructure uses low-cost “smart” technologies to enhance conventional stormwater
infrastructure to provide flood risk reduction and clean water benefits. Sensors and smart technology can
be used to analyze forecasts and then proactively, remotely and autonomously control water levels in
stormwater infrastructure assets. This approach can be used to detain stormwater longer to enhance
pollutant removal, create additional flood storage ahead of a storm, maintain baseflow in creeks, and
mimic natural bounce conditions that improve habitat for plants and animals. The Morningside Flood
Infrastructure Project in Edina and the Grays Bay Dam operated by MCWD in Minnetonka are examples of
smart infrastructure.
3.2.2 Asset Ownership
Private Stormwater Assets
Owners of private stormwater assets are responsible for operating and maintaining the assets in proper
condition, consistent with the original performance design standards and private maintenance
agreements with respective watershed districts. Responsibilities include removal and proper disposal of all
settled materials from constructed ponds, sumps, grit chambers, and other devices, including settled
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-5
solids. As of the 2022 major amendment to this plan, the City is in the process of establishing a program
to ensure private stormwater assets are properly maintained, so that they continue to provide the
intended level of service for flood risk management, drainage, and clean water. The NMCWD requires that
maintenance specifics be recorded against the deed of any private property subject to a NMCWD permit.
Publicly Owned Stormwater Assets
The City of Edina is responsible for performing maintenance on its built infrastructure, i.e., stormwater
facilities the City constructed or acquired after construction.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible
for maintaining road ditches, storm sewer, and culverts along
U.S. Highway 169, State Highway 100, and State Highway 62.
Hennepin County is responsible for maintaining right-of-way,
storm sewer, and culverts along CR 17 (France Avenue),
CR 31 (York Avenue), CR 158 (Vernon Avenue), and CR 20
(Interlachen Boulevard). On County roads, the City is
responsible for maintenance of storm sewer pipes and the
County is responsible for maintenance of the structures
(manholes and catch basins). Edina Public Schools is
responsible for all stormwater infrastructure assets on their
properties. Watershed Districts are increasingly sharing in the maintenance burden of stormwater assets.
Agreements related to construction and maintenance of assets are described in Section 4.7. The NMCWD
further requires maintenance agreements for projects subject to a NMCWD permit. The City will also
notify the owners of other publicly owned stormwater assets if maintenance is needed according to
periodic site inspections or maintenance plans on file.
3.2.3 Inventory and Inspection
The City maintains a database of all known private and public stormwater assets in a Geographic
Information System (GIS). Routine inspection programs draw from this database and dashboards quickly
show the status of the inspection programs.
The City routinely inspects assets to assess their condition and programs interventions necessary for
continued operation and/or maintenance.
Inspections are completed for the following asset groups:
• Conveyance assets (pipes, inlets, outlets, manholes, and catch basins)
• Structural stormwater assets (filtration/infiltration facilities at the surface or underground, flow
control facilities, special pollution control devices, etc.). Green stormwater infrastructure assets
(bioretention basins, bioswales, and tree trenches) are also part of this group.
• Constructed ponds (a subset of structural stormwater assets)
• Private stormwater assets
Parts of the stormwater system are
regulated through the Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System
(MS4) General Permit. Information
on how the City meets those
requirements is described in the
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Program and annual reports to the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
3-6
Inspection protocols are used to determine if assets are functioning and identify preventative or corrective
maintenance needs. Inspection results that indicate a need for maintenance are then routed to the
appropriate maintenance authority (private, City, or another public owner).
3.2.4 Operations and Maintenance
Operations are actions that sustain, modify, alter, or regain system function and provide service or
manage risk. System operation is conducted primarily by the trained and certified utility operators from
the Public Works Department and natural resource technicians in the Parks Maintenance division.
Typical operations consist of a variety of activities such as routine care of high touch system components,
CCTV inspection of trouble pipes, jetting and vacuuming of debris, care of vegetation, failure analysis, and
other activities necessary to deliver the service level, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize the
useful life of an asset.
Maintenance is any action that repairs or retains the physical infrastructure assets to meet projected
service levels and optimize the lifecycle of an asset. System maintenance is conducted primarily by the
trained and certified utility operators from the Public Works Department and natural resource technicians
in the Parks Maintenance division.
Typical maintenance consists of replacement of worn manhole lids, grouting of manhole rings, spot repair
of pipe, refurbishment or replacement of pumps, refurbishment or replacement of electrical control
components, replacement of other worn or damaged system components, replacement of plant material,
and other minor maintenance.
Stormwater Conveyance Assets
Stormwater conveyance assets include pipes, inlets, outlets, manholes, catch basins, planned overflows,
and streets (curb and gutter) that capture and convey stormwater. To manage risks and to prevent pipe
plugging, trash racks are typically installed on storm sewer, pipe inlets, and some outlets. These trash
racks prevent people from entering the pipes and help keep large debris from becoming lodged in the
pipes. If not inspected and cleaned, the trash racks will become plugged with debris such as branches,
leaves, and other materials carried by storm flows. Even partially plugged storm sewer pipes can disrupt
the drainage service. The City performs periodic removal of collected debris including ice from system
trash racks, catch basins, and inlets. The City performs
preventative and corrective maintenance including grouting,
ring replacement, and full asset rebuild/replacement.
In places prone to erosion, soil may be protected and
stabilized by hard-armoring (with riprap or similar product,
for example), soft-armoring (with vegetation), or some
combination. These strategies are used to prevent damage
that would result from highly erosive flow velocities. Periodic
inspection and maintenance reduce erosion, pipe damage,
Adopt-a-drain – As part of its
outreach and engagement sector of
work, the City encourages residents
to adopt storm drains in their
neighborhood and pledge to help
keep them free of debris through the
adopt-a-drain program.
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downstream sediment problems, and potential safety issues. Engineered emergency overflows and areas
adjacent to stormwater outfalls are routinely inspected and maintained.
Structural Stormwater Assets
Structural stormwater assets include stationary and permanent infrastructure that are designed,
constructed, and operated to control volume or prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants in
stormwater. Structural stormwater assets may detain, retain, infiltrate, or filter stormwater.
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) assets are also part of this group and include bioretention basins,
bioswales, and tree trenches. GSI includes engineered systems that mimic natural systems to treat
polluted runoff. These systems are also beneficial for helping communities become more resilient in a
changed and changing climate. In 2019, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act,
which defined green infrastructure as “the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable
pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to
store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.”
All structural stormwater infrastructure assets, whether conventional “gray” stormwater infrastructure or
green stormwater infrastructure, require maintenance.
Routine operation and maintenance on vegetated green stormwater infrastructure is similar to general
landscape maintenance: removing trash, leaf litter, and debris; keeping plants healthy; and cleaning out
accumulated sediment and pollutants.
Routine operation and maintenance of filtration infrastructure includes replacing spent filter media and
clearing screens of debris.
Routine operation and maintenance of permeable pavements includes street sweeping with a
regenerative air sweeper system and controlling pollutants, such as sand and deicing salts, at the source.
Routine operation and maintenance of underground facilities and pollution control devices includes
cleaning out accumulated sediment and pollutants.
Constructed Ponds (a subset of structural stormwater assets)
Constructed stormwater ponds perform a desirable function by settling sediment and adsorbed pollutants
out of the stormwater. However, if accumulated sediments are not periodically removed, such basins can
experience a significant loss in necessary stormwater detention capacity and sediment storage volume.
Also, if left unattended, these facilities can become overgrown with nuisance vegetation that could reduce
their effectiveness and hinder access for periodic maintenance.
The City of Edina periodically inspects constructed stormwater ponds to look for excessive sediment
build-up, collected debris, erosion, and nuisance vegetation. If problems are noted, maintenance is then
planned and performed. Sediment removal is typically planned after approximately 50 percent of the
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permanent pool capacity has been lost to restore the constructed pond to its originally designed
sediment storage volume. Dredged materials are then tested and disposed of appropriately.
Engineered emergency overflows associated with constructed ponds can turn into steep eroding channels
if an ongoing erosion problem is not stabilized and the area restored. Typical stabilization materials could
include permanent geotextile erosion-control material or riprap accompanied by a properly designed
filter material.
Properly managed vegetation adjacent to constructed ponds can help to stabilize the slopes to reduce
erosion and can have a secondary benefit of providing upland wildlife habitat.
3.2.5 Renewal and Replacement
Renewal and replacement refers to major repair or replacement of assets at or near the end of their
service life. This activity is conducted by the engineers, technicians, and inspectors in the Engineering
Department or by consulting engineers, and typically occurs in parallel with the City’s parks development
projects, neighborhood street reconstruction program, municipal state aid reconstruction program, or are
completed as standalone utility projects.
Replacement and renewal projects are bundled by age cohort of road and utility infrastructure or are
added to the scope of new infrastructure projects. System components are inspected, and conditions
assessed to inform project replacement and repair interventions. Engineers produce project reports and
recommend project scopes to the City Council. Projects are bundled and bid for reconstruction and
contracts are considered by the City Council.
Bundling of projects improves efficiency and customer service through economies of scale and minimizing
the duration of disruptions due to renewal.
Renewal and replacement decisions assume the infrastructure service remains the same or is replaced
with current industry standard materials and components. Typically, projects are a mix between renewal
and replacement, and new and upgraded service.
3.2.6 New and Upgraded Public or Private Assets
New and upgraded stormwater assets are either entirely new areas or levels of service, or major
improvements to the marginal level of service provided by existing infrastructure. Activities associated
with evaluating, designing and implementing new or upgraded stormwater assets are generally
conducted by engineers, technicians, and inspectors in the Engineering Department, or by engineers
employed by private developers as part of land use, community development, or economic development
projects.
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3.3 Flood Risk Management
Flooding in Edina is not only common, but also
increasing. Though there is a desire for solving
flood problems outright through transformational
change, the physical constraints of a changing
climate, aging infrastructure, expensive capital
investment needed, and land use decisions of the
past continuously push us to a risk management
paradigm in which only incremental change is
possible.
The factors that are driving increasing flood risk
were explored through the development of the
Flood Risk Reduction Strategy. The primary and
secondary drivers are climate change and aging infrastructure. Well-drained landscapes and
imperviousness also matter but are more historical drivers of flood risk.
Climate change is making storms more intense and increasing the chance of extended wet periods or drought. Climate change has already and will expose more assets to flooding in the future. This driver is predicted to overwhelm the other drivers in terms of scale.
Private and public assets and infrastructure are both exposed and vulnerable. Public infrastructure can define flood exposure for different points in the landscape and serve as a vector for private risk. Public infrastructure assets are old and not capable of meeting the current demand. This is a significant driver as infrastructure provides most stormwater service.
Development has connected the landscape to the water to make land well-drained. While this is a major historic driver, it is a minor driver increasing future flood exposure. Most of the drainage and land development decisions have already been made and cannot be unmade. There is additional demand for drainage that can reduce vulnerability, but marginally affects flood exposure downstream.
Flood Risk Reduction Strategy (FRRS)
In the 2018 plan, the City of Edina committed to
developing a Flood Risk Reduction Strategy. A task
force of staff and community members worked to
come to a shared understanding of what flooding
is, what City services are providing value, and what
matters, where, and to whom. City Council
adopted the Flood Risk Reduction Strategy in April
2020 and it has now been incorporated into this
plan via major amendment.
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Community demand for garages, parking areas, patios, pools, sport courts, and bigger homes has increased the hard cover of soils. Imperviousness drives runoff in small storms and marginally affects flood exposure in large storms. The most significant changes to impervious cover occurred when the community experienced rapid development in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Recent changes in impervious are relatively small compared to historical changes.
3.3.1 Flood Risk Reduction Strategy
The City of Edina’s strategy is to comprehensively reduce the risk of flooding throughout the community.
Through this strategy, the City takes action to reduce the risk of flood loss, to minimize the impact of
floods on human safety, health and welfare, and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values
served by floodplains. The primary goal for the City’s flood risk reduction effort is to improve public safety
and reduce the exposure of private principal structures to flooding.
Flooding is a concern for the city and its residents due to the threat to public safety and potential for
significant property damages and economic losses. Flooding can cause other damages that are harder to
quantify, including the following:
• Flooding of roads so they are impassable to emergency vehicles and residents
• Reduced redevelopment potential
• Shoreline erosion
• Increased pollutants in stormwater discharges
• Destruction of riparian habitats and vegetation such as grass, shrubs, trees, etc.
• Unavailability of recreational facilities for use by the public (e.g., inundation of shoreline) and/or
restricted recreational use of waterbodies
• Unavailability of recreation amenities and open spaces in parks that overlap with floodplains
• Increased demand for emergency services and risk to emergency responders during flood events
• More strain on budgets and personnel for repairing flood-damaged facilities and controlling
public use of facilities during flooding events
• Alterations to the mix and diversity of wildlife species as a result of inundation of habitats
3.3.2 Flood Risk, Exposure, and Vulnerability
Flood risk is defined by climate and physical setting, exposure, and vulnerability. These factors vary with
time, and across the landscape, assets, and people that characterize the community.
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Short term (weather), mid-term (seasonal), and long term (climate). Rainfall varies over time and space. Land use, soils, and topography matter.
The degree to which property, homes, buildings, infrastructure, and other assets come into contact with flood water.
The degree to which exposed assets, both public and private, are unable to resist flooding and are damaged by floods.
Approaches for managing risk include reducing exposure, reducing vulnerability, increasing resilience to
changing risks, and preparing, responding, and recovering from floods. The City acknowledges that similar
flood risk may affect property owners differently according to owners’ resources available for prevention
or repair.
3.3.2.1 Vectors for Principal Structure Flood Exposure
Principal structure flood exposure can occur through overland flooding, groundwater seepage, and
sanitary backflow.
Over the land surface Groundwater seepage Sanitary backflow
Surface water flooding can occur when severe storms and prolonged periods of wet weather cause water
levels in constructed stormwater features, constructed or natural stormwater conveyances, areas
inherently low in the landscape, or natural waterbodies to overflow. Principal structures near waterbodies
or in low-lying areas can be at risk of flooding. Flash flooding may occur if existing drainage systems are
overwhelmed by extremely heavy and/or intense rain. Urban areas can be particularly vulnerable to flash
flooding due to a greater amount of impervious surfaces. Groundwater seepage can also be a source of
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flooding. This tends to occur after long periods of heavy rain or snowmelt, when more water infiltrates the
ground and causes the groundwater to rise above a structure’s foundation level.
Sanitary backflow flooding can be caused by a blockage in the City’s sewer system or when structures
flood and inflow into the sanitary drains, overwhelming the capacity of the sewer system. This normally
occurs when the sanitary sewer pipes are flooded with stormwater as a result of inflow and infiltration
(I&I). When this happens, wastewater can flow backwards into principal structures.
3.3.2.2 Flood Exposure Data and Trends
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Climatology Office, Minnesota’s climate is
already changing rapidly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The region has gotten
much wetter and warmer, driven by more frequent heavy precipitation and warmer winters. The 2010s
were the wettest decade on record in Minnesota and projections indicate this trend will continue
(Figure 3.2). In addition to heavier precipitation events, the potential for drought will increase in coming
decades. Hot weather, including higher summer temperatures and heat waves, has not worsened yet, but
it is expected to by mid-century.
Figure 3.2 Data from MnDNR Climate Trends Tool https://arcgis.dnr.state.mn.us/ewr/climatetrends/
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Hydrologists, engineers, and water resources
professionals rely on standardized precipitation
data to appropriately size stormwater
infrastructure. In 2016-2017, the City’s hydrologic
and hydraulic models were updated to reflect the
increased precipitation frequency estimates for the
region based on NOAA’s 2013 Atlas 14 publication.
This replaced the Technical Paper No. 40 Rainfall
Frequency Atlas of the United States (“TP 40”)
published in 1961 which was developed using
available rainfall information from far fewer stations
than exist today. It also included the “dust-bowl”
years of the 1930s. The majority of the stormwater
system was constructed in the 1940s through 1960s when predictions for rainfall amounts were less than
they are today. The updated Atlas 14 reports use more observation locations with a longer period of
record and use more sophisticated statistical methods. Even so, the updated Atlas 14 publication is still
backward-looking and doesn’t consider future precipitation trends due to climate change.
The updated Atlas 14 publication showed that across MN and neighboring states, the increases in 24-hour
precipitation amounts increased, and in some places by as much as 25%. In Edina, the 1-percent-annual-
chance (100-year) 24-hour precipitation amount went from 6 to 7.4 inches (see Figure 3.3). The increase is
due to both additional data, some large local events since TP-40 was published, and generally larger
precipitation totals occurring since before TP-40. If the observed trend in 1-percent-annual-chance
24-hour events from TP-40 to Atlas 14 were to continue, the future 1-percent-annual-chance rainfall
events would be larger in the future, and what is designed today may be less protective in the future.
Figure 3.3 Estimates of 100-year 24-hour rainfall depth
Shallow groundwater levels are also on the rise
due to a combination of consistently above
average precipitation and implementation of
stormwater infiltration practices across the
metro area. Landlocked basin water levels can
be particularly vulnerable to increases in
precipitation when groundwater is high. Even
during short periods of no precipitation, high
groundwater levels may persist, resulting in
higher-than-normal surface water elevations
and increased vulnerability to groundwater
seepage in basements.
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The mid-21st century predictions shown on Figure 3.3 come from a 2014 study by the MCWD and others
(Stack et al., 2014): Long-term climate information and forecasts supporting stakeholder-driven adaptation
decisions for urban water resources: Response to climate change and population growth. The green, yellow,
and red points representing the mid-21st century estimates in Figure 3.3 correspond to the lower bound
(optimistic), mean, and upper bound (pessimistic) estimates of the 1-percent-annual-chance rainfall by
2050, respectively.
While the IPCC AR6 report published in 2022 ascribed high confidence to statements regarding increases
in temperature over the globe, the IPCC AR5 report ascribes only medium confidence in anthropogenic
forces contributing to a global-scale intensification of heavy precipitation over the second half of the 20th
century. The latest global climate models (GCMs) and downscaled climate change models do not provide
high confidence in predicted 1-percent-annual-chance 24-hour rainfall events. Thus, there is still
significant uncertainty in the magnitude of future design storms. While this may be true, it is still prudent to
expect that storms larger than those designed for presently, will occur in the future. Beyond accepting the
consequences that will occur during those larger events, designers may attempt to build in additional
resiliency to withstand or effectively manage those larger storms as a precaution against the uncertainty.
The Atlas 14 hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and flood risk mapping analysis identified numerous
flood-prone locations throughout the City, including some areas along the creeks, near lakes or wetlands,
and areas adjacent to or within low areas where stormwater pools during large storm events. Flood risk
mapping is available online via the City’s “Maps” page, While many of the flood-prone areas are localized,
some of the flooding problems are more regional in nature.
Since the 2013 release of Atlas 14, the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District has updated their hydrologic
and hydraulic models to reflect the updated precipitation frequency estimates and has adopted revised
flood management elevations. The City of Edina has also updated their hydrologic and hydraulic models
to reflect Atlas 14 precipitation. However, FEMA’s effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood
Insurance Study (FIS) within the City of Edina are still based on TP-40 rainfall depths. As of early 2022 the
MnDNR is in the process of studying the Minnehaha Creek watershed to update it with Atlas 14 data.
Table 3.1 identifies the source of the best available 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevations for various
portions of the City at the time of this plan development.
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Table 3.1 Source of the Best Available 1-Percent-Annual-Chance Flood Elevations throughout the City of Edina
Area Best Available Flood Elevation Information/Modeling Source of Precipitation Frequency Estimates Owner
Nine Mile Creek corridor (regional flood area) NMCWD Atlas 14 Flood Management Elevations and associated XPSWMM Model(s) Atlas 14 NMCWD
Minnehaha Creek corridor (regional flood area)
FEMA Effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS); MCWD Hydrologic and Hydraulic modeling update (in progress)
TP-40; Atlas 14 MCWD
City of Edina, with exception of Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek corridor areas
City of Edina WRMP (XPSWMM model updates occur annually to incorporate system changes). Atlas 14 City of Edina
Note: Creek corridors and regional basins are considered “regional flood areas” – all areas outside of regional flood areas are considered “local flood areas”; 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevations are available from the City’s interactive web map
3.3.3 Sectors of Work
The objective of the flood risk reduction strategy is to reduce exposure to flooding, reduce vulnerability to
flooding, and provide equitable access to support for readiness, response, and recovery.
Through the following sectors of work, the City will work with the community to comprehensively reduce
flood risk.
INFRASTRUCTURE: We renew our infrastructure and operate it to reduce risk. We will plan public
streets and parks to accept and convey flood waters to reduce the risk and disruption of related
city services.
REGULATION: We acknowledge competing demands of land use and addressing drainage,
groundwater, and surface water issues. We help people solve issues without harming another.
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: We make flood information available and give people tools for
flood resilience.
EMERGENCY SERVICES: We help people prepare for floods, remove people from harm during
floods, and recover after floods.
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3.3.3.1 Infrastructure
Municipal stormwater systems provide multiple functions, including runoff management (removal of
stormwater) and flood risk reduction. The system is composed of structural or engineered control devices
and facilities to treat, convey, or store polluted stormwater. Stormwater infrastructure asset management
is described in more detail in Section 3.2. The City of Edina operates and maintains its stormwater
infrastructure and permits and accepts connections from private systems. It is the City’s standard practice
to provide a 10-percent-annual-chance level of service and 1-percent-annual-chance level of protection
for the City’s stormwater conveyance systems, where feasible. However, some existing stormwater
conveyance systems have capacity limitations and cannot be guaranteed to provide the discharge
capacity where private storm sewer systems tie into the trunk system. Private systems are discussed
further in Section 3.2.2.
Enhancing public infrastructure by building new, retrofitting old, and maintaining existing in working
condition is a key action to reducing flood exposure.
The stormwater system is made up of 127 miles of gravity main pipe ranging from 12-84” in diameter,
6800 manholes, 900 outlets, 38 miles of small diameter sump drain, 11 stormwater lift stations, and one-
half mile of stormwater force main. An infographic showing the stormwater system as well as the other
major utilities (sanitary sewer and drinking water) is available in Chapter 7 of the 2018 Comprehensive
Plan.
The majority of the system was constructed in the 1940s through 1960s, with significant additions and
extensions occurring after that period. While Edina was experiencing rapid development in the mid
twentieth century, stormwater was often routed directly to natural resources instead of an engineered
stormwater management asset. Retrofitting the water resources network to direct runoff to stormwater
assets and protect natural resources is a challenge – it will take significant capital resources and occur
over a generational timeframe.
Many city-owned public spaces including parks are in the floodplain. In some cases, these parcels were
historically low and not conducive to development. In other cases, spaces have been retrofitted to store
and convey stormwater to accommodate other community goals (transportation, buildings, clean water,
flood risk reduction, etc.). The 2015 Parks System Strategic Plan acknowledges the climate change threat
and proposes strategies to build resilient infrastructure, maintain the flood storage capabilities of the
Parks system, and improve water resources.
3.3.3.2 Regulation
Redevelopment provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build-in resilience. City staff are actively
engaged with the development community through regulatory programs and provide technical support
to permitted and affected private parties. In response, new structures or additions can be required to
meet minimum elevations for low floors (such as basements), and/or low openings (such as the top of
windows wells) and/or be built to withstand the forces and intrusion of flood waters (water proofing,
drainage systems, foundation drains, sump pumps, sanitary backflow prevention). Another response to
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redevelopment includes requiring durable flow paths to route water away from structures and regulating
impervious cover.
Development and redevelopment are managed to reduce
flood risk for new and changing properties while not
adversely affecting the rights of other property owners.
Private developers are not required to take action to benefit
downstream properties; however, the City requires that
private developers demonstrate ‘no adverse impact’ to
downstream properties to ensure the action of any
community or property owners, public or private, does not
adversely impact others.
3.3.3.3 Outreach and Engagement
Building an understanding of the flooding and drainage
risks in the community is important for working toward
resiliency. When a community understands its risks, it can
take actions to mitigate risk before, during, and after a flood
event.
• The City maintains detailed maps regarding
potential flooding and drainage issues, both regionally and locally, and shares this information via
the City’s interactive water resources web map.
• The City provides advice for reducing flood exposure and vulnerability for property owners and
occupants.
• The City has a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) to act as the local liaison for Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain issues. The CFM provides technical assistance
for Letter of Map Amendments, maintains elevation certificates, and interprets requirements for
development and redevelopment that intersect with the FEMA regulated floodplain areas.
• The City engages with stakeholders on flood risk reduction strategies, policies, programs, and
projects.
3.3.3.4 Emergency Services and Public Safety
The City’s role in emergency situations include responding to life, health and safety calls and supporting
or restoring the operation of public utilities. Police, Fire, and Public Works perform the majority of
emergency services activities related to rescue, restoration of critical services, etc. Planning and Building
departments also play a role in recovering from hazards by implementing building codes and standards
post-disaster.
Critical facilities should be protected from flooding, and accessible and operable during a flood. Critical
facilities are any public or private buildings or facilities that, by their nature if damaged, or rendered
inoperable or lost during a disaster event, leads to a detrimental loss of health and welfare services within
Flood resiliency resources including
‘Actions for Flood Resilient Homes’
factsheets and an interactive ‘What is
My Flood Risk?’ map are available at
www.EdinaMN.gov/flooding.
No Adverse Impact means
development projects are mitigated
so they do not make conditions worse
for others. Development is done in a
manner that does not pass the cost of
flooding on to others.
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the community (ASFPM, 2016). Critical facilities in the FEMA regional floodplain are regulated by the
Floodplain Overlay Districts Ordinance (City Code, Chapter 36).
Critical facilities include:
• Police and fire stations
• Emergency Operations Centers
• Hospitals and other medical and health care facilities
• Communications networks such as radio, telephone, and television
• Electrical lines, transformers
• Commuter rail lines and stations
• Retirement homes and senior care centers
• Schools
• Hazardous materials storage areas
• Water and wastewater treatment facilities
• Local government offices and facilities necessary for provision of essential services
• Emergency shelters
• And other facilities determined to be critical by staff
3.4 Clean Water
The streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands in the City of Edina are important community resources. These
resources supply aesthetic and recreational benefits, in addition to providing wildlife habitat and other
ecological benefits. The City recognizes the need to protect and improve these resources and strives to
manage the City’s stormwater infrastructure and assets so that the beneficial uses of its lakes, streams,
ponds and wetlands remain available to the community. Protection and improvement of these resources
encompasses operating and maintaining the City’s existing assets (see Section 3.2), implementing
programs to educate and engage the community, developing and implementing pollution reduction
strategies, and completing capital improvements.
3.4.1 Clean Water Infrastructure
Municipal stormwater systems provide multiple functions, including water quality protection.
Infrastructure used to provide clean water services generally includes underground hydrodynamic
separators (also termed grit chambers), sump manholes, constructed ponds, underground storage and
infiltration facilities, and bioretention basins, among others. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) includes
engineered systems that mimic natural systems to treat polluted runoff. Examples of GSI features include
bioretention basins, bioswales, constructed ponds, and tree trenches. This infrastructure serves to remove
pollutants such as sediment and phosphorus from stormwater prior to the stormwater being discharged
to downstream water resources.
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Much of the city of Edina was developed prior to significant focus on protecting the quality of surface
waters. As a result, stormwater from large portions of the city discharges directly to wetlands, lakes, or the
creeks without passing through clean water infrastructure.
The City is responsible for operation and maintenance of the city-owned public stormwater infrastructure
assets, including clean water infrastructure. Stormwater assets constructed on private property are
generally the responsibility of the private property owner, which includes operating and maintaining the
facilities in proper condition, consistent with the original performance design standards. Additional
information regarding operation and maintenance of public and private stormwater infrastructure is
provided in Section 3.2.
3.4.2 Clean Water Programs
The City of Edina seeks to protect and improve its water resources through implementation of several
clean water programs, including promoting community engagement, pollution prevention through site
reviews and implementation of city ordinances, policies, and design standards during and after
construction, pollution source control, lake and pond management, and implementing stormwater best
management practices. These programs accomplish minimum regulatory standards and, in many areas,
move beyond the minimum standard. Details regarding the measurable goals, implementation schedule,
and responsible parties for the minimum standards as required by the MS4 permit can be found in the
City of Edina’s SWPPP.
3.4.2.1 Community Engagement
Community engagement is a key component in a successful stormwater management program. The City
recognizes that an informed residency is necessary to make progress toward meeting water resources
goals. Programmatic activities are designed to build a culture of water resources stewardship necessary to
influence change on the landscape. Residents value water resources and City staff seek to involve them in
addressing issues through informing, educating, and promoting participation.
The City has developed and is implementing a public education and engagement plan to distribute
information and conduct outreach activities regarding the impacts of stormwater discharges on water
bodies. The City’s education and engagement plan identifies the audience involved, educational goals,
activities used to reach goals, activity implementation plans, and available performance measures that can
be used to determine success in reaching educational goals.
The community engagement plan also includes working collaboratively with the local watershed districts
in distributing educational materials and promoting/supporting outreach programs.
Annually, the City hosts an opportunity for the public to comment on the SWPPP and water resource
programs, although comments may be submitted at any time of the year. This has been done as a
standalone meeting or in addition to another engagement event. Notice of the meeting date, time,
location, and materials is distributed through various communication channels including the local
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newspaper. Oral and written input from the public regarding water resources programs will be sincerely
considered and adjustments will be made where appropriate.
The City also hosts a booth at the annual Open Streets on 50th event with the help of Minnesota Water
Steward volunteers to engage the public in water resources topics.
A presentation of issues, future activities, and completed projects is also brought to the Edina Energy and
Environment Commission with the Annual Water Resources Coordinator’s report.
3.4.2.2 Pollution Prevention
Site Plan Review and Design Standards
The City of Edina has adopted the policies and performance standards discussed in Section 4.0 to
promote pollutant prevention and/or reduction from new development and redevelopment areas. These
policies are enforced through the site plan review process and through permits issued by the City or
respective watershed district.
The City of Edina also addresses runoff problems with sound planning procedures. Land use and zoning
ordinances promote improved water quality by guiding the growth and redevelopment of the community
away from sensitive areas and by restricting certain types of growth to areas that can support it without
compromising water quality.
Pollution Prevention Practices
Pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices can ensure a reduction in the amount and type of
pollution that is discharged to downstream water resources from streets, parking lots, open spaces, and
storage and vehicle maintenance areas. Many pollution prevention practices are incorporated into the
City’s infrastructure operation and maintenance program (see Section 3.2.3.1). Other practices that the
City implements are more programmatic in nature, including the following:
1. Employee training on incorporation of pollution prevention techniques into municipal operations
such as park and open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, road salt application,
new construction and land disturbances, and stormwater system maintenance.
2. Periodically evaluating city landscaping and lawn-care practices, which may include the use of
fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, lawn mowing, grass clipping collection, mulching and
composting, and developing or modifying practices to reduce stormwater pollution.
3. Periodically reviewing practices and policies related to road salt applications, including
consideration of alternative products, calibration of equipment, inspection of vehicles and staff
training to reduce pollutants from road deicing activities.
4. Evaluating, annually inspecting, and modifying (if necessary) current management practices for all
exposed stockpiles, storage, and materials located within City-owned property.
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5. Continuing the City’s street sweeping program, including evaluation and identification of
potential program improvements, and implementation of changes, as necessary, to reduce
stormwater pollutants.
3.4.2.3 Pollution Source Controls
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Identification of stormwater pollutant sources includes identification of illicit pollutant discharges and
nonpoint sources throughout the city. An illicit pollutant discharge is defined as a non-permitted point
source of pollutants that is discharged to the storm sewer system at a specific location. Illicit discharges
can enter a storm sewer system directly (through wastewater piping mistakenly or deliberately connected
to the storm drains) or indirectly (through infiltration from cracked/leaking sanitary systems, spills
collected by drain outlets, or other contaminants such as paint or oil dumped directly into a storm drain).
To prevent the harmful effects of illicit discharges, a number of management practices have been
developed to implement and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the City’s
stormwater system. The City’s illicit discharge detection and elimination program includes the following
components:
1. An annually-updated storm sewer system map showing the location of all City-owned storm
sewer pipes (24-inch diameter or greater), outfalls, locations where discharge leaves the City, and
water bodies.
2. Periodic review of existing City ordinances relating to illicit discharges and develop/revise an illicit
discharge ordinance as necessary.
3. Expansion of the City’s program to detect and reduce all forms of non-stormwater discharges and
continuation of inspection for illicit discharge during the outfall and pond inspections.
4. Distribution of educational materials to residents and providing illicit discharge educational
information or annual training for City staff.
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
Runoff management from construction sites minimizes the amount of sediment and other pollutants
entering the water bodies within the city. The City implements the erosion control policies identified in
Section 4.2, including the following activities:
1. Permits for land disturbing activities consider erosion and sediment control.
2. Construction site operators must provide a phone number, website, and point of contact for the
public to report stormwater pollution issues.
3. Construction site operators must conform to MPCA, watershed district, and City ordinances
pertaining to erosion and sediment controls and waste controls.
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The City enforces erosion and sediment control and stormwater management on lots >1 acre in size, and
has limited stormwater, erosion and sediment control standards for sites under 1 acre associated with
grading or demolition permits. The City also requires that project applicants or owners contact the
NMCWD or MCWD to determine if watershed district permits are required.
3.4.2.4 Lake and Pond Management
The City has established policies to guide its management of lakes and other water resources within the
city (Section 4.2 and Section 4.4) and works closely with the watershed districts to protect and improve
the quality of these resources. This generally includes participating in water quality studies and planning
activities within the watershed districts and other agencies and implementing stormwater management
practices and programs to reduce pollutant contributions. In 2014, the City established a lake and pond
management policy to manage residents’ requests for lake management activities, which tend to focus on
aquatic vegetation management. The policy establishes a system to prioritize the waterbodies, defines
management service levels, and lays out a process to involve shoreline owners in waterbody management.
The City encourages residents to form Lake Associations and lake groups to advocate for management of
waterbodies. An association is a voluntary organization made up of people who own land on or near a
body of water. Landowners often form an association when they are concerned about issues regarding
the quality or use of the body of water and want to deal with them in an organized manner. Lake groups
are less formal and may be more appropriate for some smaller waterbodies. In some cases, a formal or
informal group is required for a waterbody to be eligible for services under the lake and pond
management policy, which is mostly centered around aquatic vegetation management.
Forming an association has several benefits, including:
• At a minimum of once per year, a meeting is held to discuss topics related to the waterbody. This
approach encourages representation of all stakeholders and decisions that are based on the
majority. Grant opportunities and petitions have more merit when brought forth by a coordinated
group that represents the majority.
• Recommendations for treatment come from local residents instead of city staff. An association
meets with members to gather feedback and recommend annual treatment. The association
Board of Directors would then request that the city coordinate treatment and special assess costs
back to the special assessment district. Alternatively, the group could operate independently of
the city to coordinate and pay for services on their own. Local ordinances and DNR permit
requirements would still apply.
• Information can be shared between the city and the association more effectively.
• Organizing around the shared resource can build a culture of water stewardship. Associations may
opt to organize a block party or lead an education campaign.
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The organization can potentially organize and fund additional elective activities. Examples might include a
social event or special study.
Aquatic Vegetation
Aquatic vegetation has an important place in the ecosystem of lakes and ponds. It provides food and
shelter to fish and wildlife, and uses phosphorus for its growth, isolating it from the water column and
limiting algae growth. While aquatic vegetation is beneficial to aquatic life and water quality, it can also be
a detriment to recreation and sometimes aesthetics, especially when excess nutrients cause overgrowth.
Aquatic Vegetation Treatment Request Process
The City manages requests for aquatic vegetation treatment using the following system established to
prioritize the waterbodies, define management service levels, and lay out a process to involve shoreline
owners in waterbody management:
Step 1: Use the following classification to determine the points awarded based on waterbody size.
Size Points Awarded
• Large (10+ acres) 4
• Medium (5-9.9 acres) 3
• Small (2.5-4.9 acres) 2
• Tiny (1-2.4 acres) 1
• <1 acre Not eligible for
management by City
Step 2: Use the following classification to determine the points awarded based on water quality of the
water body.
Water Quality Points
Awarded
• 303(d) Impaired Waters List 4
• Drains directly to impaired water or a
waterbody which meets water quality goals and
is in protection mode
3
• Data shows that waterbody does not meet
applicable state or watershed water quality goals 2
• No data 0
Step 3: Sum points awarded from Steps 1 and 2.
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Step 4: Use the following classification to determine initial service level based on points awarded.
Service Level Points Required
• High 7-8
• Medium 5-6
• Low 3-4
• None 0-2
Step 5: If any of the following apply the service level can be raised*:
• forming an informal lake group or formalized lake association with 50% plus one of the shoreline properties represented , or
• providing significant public access and use
*Water bodies may only move up one service level, even if they have both an association and public access.
The system described above is used to define the City’s management service level for a given lake. The
service level for many waterbodies have already been determined and can be accessed online via the
City’s Water Resources Library. Contact the City for the most up-to-date list. Table 3.2 identifies the level
of potential lake management activity, depending on the established service levels.
Table 3.2 Level of Potential Lake Management Activity by Service Level
City-Funded Activities Additional Elective Services*
Service
Level
Whole lake
algae
treatment
(as
permitted/
required)
Invasive
aquatic
plant
treatment**
Lake
study (up
to 2 lakes
per year)
City staff support (see Table 3.3 below)
DNR
Permits
and
Facilitation
Aquatic vegetation management
Alternative methods (see Table 3.3 below)
DNR
permits
and
facilitation
High Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Medium Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Low Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No
None At City’s discretion, lowest priority No No No
*Cost of elective services are special assessed to property tax bill. This option requires a formalized lake association, registered as a nonprofit organization in the state of Minnesota, as described in the policy.
**Invasive aquatic plant treatment will be pursued to the extent that it limits the spread, fits within budget, cost/benefit analysis supports it, and has a clean water benefit. Invasive aquatic plant treatment will not be completed solely to accomplish a recreation or aesthetic goal.
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Table 3.3 City Staff Support Activities and Alternative Methods Related to Table 3.2
City staff support activities (related to Table 3.2 above): Alternative methods (related to Table 3.2 above)
Association/group formation All alternative methods (such as barley straw, floating
treatment wetlands, etc.) are elective services.
Education There may be some cost share available from the city.
Facilitate data collection
Facilitate group projects
Technical resource
Duckweed Management
The City will not participate in destruction or removal of duckweed for recreational or aesthetic purposes.
Cattail Management
The City will only manage cattails such that they don’t obstruct water flow. The City will not participate in
destruction or removal of cattails for recreational or aesthetic purposes.
Requesting a Lake Study
Requests for lake studies must be submitted in writing to the City’s Water Resources Manager. The
request must meet the following criteria:
• Come from a formal or informal group, representing the majority of residents. Where there is a formal group, the board may submit a request on behalf of the group. Where there is an informal group, signatures from representatives of 50% plus one properties surrounding the resource must provide a signature in support of the request.
• Identify what the group hopes to accomplish with a lake study, specifically indicating what questions they hope to have answered.
• Waterbodies will be eligible for lake studies once every 5-year period.
• Requests for lake studies will expire after 9 months.
• Requests will be received on a first come, first served basis with new applicants receiving preference.
• Lake study scope will be limited by annual budget.
• Up to two lake studies will be funded per year, contingent upon annual budget.
3.4.3 Clean Water Strategy
The City is in the process of developing a clean water strategy that outlines a plan for working toward
meeting its clean water goals. The strategy will address the City’s approach to meeting the pollutant
reduction targets identified through the TMDL and WRAPS process. The strategy will also determine
pollutant load reduction targets for nondegradation of water bodies that are not impaired and identify an
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approach for achieving these stormwater management targets. The clean water implementation strategy
will be a 5-year strategy that identifies regular “good housekeeping” stormwater practices and clean water
capital improvement projects (CIP) to achieve the goals, including quantification of pollutant removals and
preparation of planning-level cost estimates. This information will be used for planning, as well as
assessment of cost-benefit for project prioritization. The implementation strategy will be developed in
coordination with street reconstruction projects, redevelopment, and other opportunities. Annual or
biennial reporting will be included in the strategy to quantify movement toward the City’s goals and track
activities for the City’s annual SWPPP and MS4 reporting. When completed, the Clean Water Strategy will
be included as an amendment to this WRMP.
3.4.3.1 Implementation Approach
The Clean Water Strategy will define clean water goals, estimate the cost and pace of achievement, and
identify implementation opportunities including the following categories:
• Redevelopment- implementation of stormwater management rules as part of redevelopment
• Redevelopment- expansion of site or regional stormwater management beyond compliance with
stormwater management rules
• Retrofit- implementation of stormwater management as part of City street reconstruction projects
on public land
• Retrofit- targeted implementation of stormwater management BMPs for improving water quality
of an impaired water body; these BMPs may require land acquisition
• Retrofit- implementation of stormwater management BMPs in partnership with other public- or
non-profit landowners
• Re-design/re-purpose- implementation of stormwater management BMPs as part of city
improvement projects (e.g., park improvements, city facility improvements)
Each of the clean water improvement opportunity categories identified above have opportunities for
partnership with other entities, such as private landowners, watershed districts, non-profit organizations,
or other local governmental entities.
3.4.3.2 Opportunity Identification and Prioritization
The City will pursue clean water improvements that maximize cost effectiveness and capitalize on
coinciding opportunities, such as planned street reconstruction, redevelopment efforts, availability of land,
or other planned infrastructure improvement projects. Consideration will also be given to achieving
additional “co-benefits”, such as flood risk reduction, recharge of shallow groundwater aquifers, wildlife
habitat improvement, and groundwater conservation.
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BMP Cost Effectiveness
Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) have a wide range of cost effectiveness, depending on
factors such as the suitability of soils for infiltration of stormwater and the availability and cost of land.
Soil Suitability for Infiltration
Infiltration-based stormwater BMPS are often most effective in reducing stormwater volume and pollutant
loading to downstream water bodies. Infiltration describes a process where stormwater runoff seeps into
the soil. Because the water stays near to where it lands, the volume of runoff (and associated pollutants)
delivered downstream is reduced. Infiltration also recharges groundwater and treats stormwater through
natural filtration. This is particularly valuable when lakes, wetlands, or trout resources are downstream.
Infiltration-based stormwater BMPs are not very practical in soils with low infiltration capacity, such as
tight silts or clays, where the infiltration rate is severely limited. Infiltration is also not recommended in
locations where soils are contaminated, within sensitive drinking water recharge areas, where
groundwater is shallow (less than three feet below the surface) or where karst features or bedrock are
prominent.
As part of its Clean Water Strategy, the City will conduct a desktop analysis to identify and prioritize
locations where implementation of infiltration-based stormwater BMPs is feasible. Favorable locations
would include areas where soil conditions are conducive and negative impacts are unlikely. The analysis
may also include identification of areas where the potential for flood-risk can be reduced. These locations
would then be prioritized based on an analysis of total construction and maintenance costs, availability of
land, and infiltration benefits, including consideration of downstream water body. Prioritized locations
could become part of the City’s future BMP implementation program.
Land Availability
Given that the City of Edina is essentially fully developed, the availability of land for implementation of
stormwater management practices is limited. Installing stormwater BMPs in city-owned right-of-way is
often challenging due to limited space and conflicts with existing utilities and infrastructure. Beyond the
right-of-way, the primary city-owned land consists of parkland. While implementation of stormwater
BMPs in the City’s parks can be cost effective, the parkland within the city is in high demand, with an ever
increasing demand for programmed athletic fields, which severely limits the availability of land for
stormwater management practices. There may be opportunities to retrofit stormwater BMPs on existing
privately-owned sites; however, parking requirements or demand can severely restrict the available land
for stormwater BMPs. As redevelopment occurs throughout the city, there is significant opportunity to
implement site-based or regional stormwater management practices. However, development densities
appear to be generally increasing, and parking requirements and other site constraints are limiting the
feasibility of implementing above-ground stormwater management practices.
Given the limited availability of land for installing conventional, above-ground stormwater BMPs, many
private landowners and water managers are pursuing underground BMPs that can be installed within
right-of-way and/or parking areas. While these BMPs are desirable to many because they allow for co-
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existing with other site uses, the cost for underground stormwater practices is higher than above ground.
There is also concern about the maintenance costs and feasibility of the underground systems.
Co-benefits of BMPs
The City’s Clean Water Strategy will also consider achievement of additional “co-benefits”, such as flood
risk reduction, recharge of shallow groundwater aquifers, wildlife habitat improvement, and groundwater
conservation.
Reuse
Studies can evaluate effective ways of reusing rainwater, stormwater, greywater, wastewater, and industrial
water. Reuse is important because it helps the City achieve its stormwater management goals, conserve
water, meet permit requirements, develop sustainable water supplies, reduce costs, and improves the
City’s triple bottom line.
Identifying water reuse opportunities often begins by asking the following questions:
• Who uses water?
• Where is there a lot of water?
• Where is there a high water demand?
• What is the quality of available water?
• What level of water quality is needed to meet the end user’s needs?
• Is reuse technically feasible? Qualitatively feasible?
The City will conduct a desktop analysis to identify and prioritize locations where stormwater reuse
systems could be implemented (see Table 3.5). A geographic information system (GIS) screening-level
analysis could be performed to identify potential reuse opportunities within the city—matching water
sources to water needs. For example, both water sources and water users can be identified by mapping
publicly available data (e.g., NPDES discharge permit data and appropriations permit data,
respectively). GIS can also help identify potential sources of water in close proximity to potential users
(including parks and golf courses that need water for irrigation). Other potentially useful data includes
soils data (permeability, salinity), topography, storm sewer and sanitary sewer data, utilities data
(gas/communication/power utilities), groundwater data, water supply well data, and water sales data.
3.5 Management Approach
The City will actively apply the water resources management policies and implement the programs and
projects identified in this Water Resources Management Plan by:
• Applying the policies and Plan to all clean water and flood improvements, including those involving operations, maintenance, improvements, and qualifying private development/redevelopment.
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• Leveraging all sources of clean water funding and actively pursuing grants, cost-sharing opportunities, project partnerships and other new or special funding sources as applicable.
• Drawing on technical support and feedback from partner agencies, organizations, and groups.
• Embracing a systems approach to solve water resources problems; considering multiple uses, sources, and waste streams of water.
• Advocating for water resources strategies consistent with this plan when a local land use decision is under the jurisdiction of another agency.
• Adapting to new knowledge and challenges, using the best science to guide decision-making.
• Coordinating efforts with supporting plans and programs;
o Current Edina Comprehensive Plan
o Edina Climate Action Plan
o Parks Strategic Plan
o Floodplain Districts Ordinance and National Flood Insurance Program
o Living Streets Plan
o Source Water Protection Plan
o Wellhead Protection Plan
o Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit
o Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Water Management Plan
o Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Water Management Plan
o Minnehaha Creek Watershed District’s ‘Guide: Community Adaptation Planning for Changing Landscapes and Climate’
o Hennepin County’s Natural Resources Strategic Plan
o Residential and commercial permitting
Beyond prioritizing and allocating resources to accomplish the minimum standard as required by the
City’s MS4 permit and SWPPP, this plan aims to prioritize projects and budgets to meet defined levels of
service, where achievable. The Clean Water Strategy (pending) and Flood Risk Reduction Strategy
identified in this plan establish specific goals, priorities, and associated costs to better describe the
investment needed for the City to achieve its defined level of service.
The rate of progress in meeting the desired level of service will be determined by resources, funding,
opportunities, and policy alignment.
3.5.1 Coordination with Watershed Districts
3.5.1.1 Regulation
The City of Edina manages stormwater to protect life, property, waterbodies within the city, and receiving
waters outside the city. However, the City relies heavily on the NMCWD and MCWD for implementation of
water resource protection rules and requirements. The City defers LGU authority to the NMCWD and
MCWD for floodplain management and drainage alterations, wetlands management, stormwater
management, erosion and sediment control, waterbody crossings and structures, shoreline and
streambank improvements, and sediment removal.
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The City of Edina also defers LGU authority for the WCA to the NMCWD and MCWD. This includes
requiring and verifying that all projects impacting wetlands meet the requirements of the Minnesota WCA.
The Board of Water and Soil Resources serves as both a state administrator of the programs associated
with the WCA, as well as providing technical assistance to LGUs administering the WCA.
Water resources management is complex and establishing broad, durable boundaries around
responsibilities is challenging. We intend to continue to collaborate with our Watershed District partners
to identify issues, define leading and supporting roles and responsibilities, and make progress toward our
shared interest in water resources stewardship. The City and Watershed Districts have consistently
demonstrated a willingness to advance policies and projects in a collaborative spirit and the portfolio of
past performance informs future partnerships. Further, the City and Watershed Districts share an interest
in regulatory streamlining to minimize the burden on regulated parties and will work collaboratively when
a project presents particular complexities.
3.5.1.2 Data and Information
The MCWD and NMCWD collect and maintain numerous regional data collections and models that are
made available for use by the City of Edina. Below is a list of data and models available from one or both
of the watershed districts and a brief description of how the City has or will utilize these resources.
Hydrology and hydraulics (H&H) model – provides information on regional flood elevations and
hydraulics. The City has used the NMCWD Atlas 14 H&H model to evaluate impacts from proposed
drainage modifications and as a base for the Atlas 14 model updates in support of the 2018 WRMP and
subsequent annual model updates completed to support this iteration of the WRMP. The City used the
MCWD H&H model for estimating Atlas 14 tailwater conditions in Minnehaha Creek for the City’s Atlas 14
model updates in support of the 2018 WRMP and subsequent annual model updates conducted to
support this iteration of the WRMP (see Appendix A – Attachment B).
Atlas 14 Flood Elevations– provide information on base flood elevations for development and
redevelopment. The City relies on the NMCWD and MCWD to provide 1-percent-annual-chance flood
elevations for Regional Flood Areas throughout the city (see Section 4.1). While the MCWD has not yet
published Atlas 14 flood elevations for Minnehaha Creek, the City of Edina looks forward to utilizing these
values when available to consistently provide flood risk reduction based on Atlas 14 precipitation
frequency estimates citywide.
MCWD Functional Assessment of Wetlands (FAW) – provides data on wetland functions and
values, establishes management classifications based on quality and sensitivity, and identifies restoration
opportunities for wetlands within the Minnehaha Creek watershed (Hennepin Conservation District, 2003).
The City incorporated the results of the FAW into its 2011 and 2018 WRMP (see Section 2.2.7.2).
Stream Assessments – provide data on biological and physical condition of streams. The NMCWD
collects benthic macroinvertebrate and fish samples annually from the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek near
Metro Boulevard in Edina and conducts periodic physical condition assessments. This information has
been used to identify changes in stream water quality that may be caused by nonpoint source pollution
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and provide a more complete understanding of overall stream health. Specifically, the data was used to
complete the Nine Mile Creek biological stressor identification study (MPCA, 2010) and design the Edina
Streambank Restoration project constructed by NMCWD from 2017-2019. The MCWD has conducted
limited periodic biological monitoring of Minnehaha Creek (e.g., Zebra Mussel monitoring, fishery survey)
and project-specific physical condition assessments within Edina.
Hydrologic and Water Quality Data Reports – provide data on water quality, water quantity, and
ecological integrity conditions and trends for District resources. The NMCWD and MCWD collect and
analyze hydrologic (stream flows, lake levels) and water quality data at numerous locations within Edina,
including Minnehaha Creek (downstream of the Browndale Dam), North Fork of Nine Mile Creek (at Metro
Boulevard), and numerous lakes. This information is used by the City to track water quality conditions and
trends and identify the need for additional lake and watershed management.
Educational Resources – provide education and outreach information regarding water resources best
management practices. The City has utilized the information and trainings offered by the MCWD and
NMCWD to support and bolster their education program.
3.5.1.3 Land Use Planning Opportunities
The MCWD Watershed Management Plan (2018) and NMCWD Water Management Plan (2017) both
highlight the desire to more closely integrate land use planning and water resource management to
capitalize on opportunities to improve water resources as development and redevelopment occurs. Given
that land use planning lies primarily with the cities, achievement of this goal will require close
coordination and partnership between the Watershed Districts and cities.
Coordination Plan
To achieve the level of coordination and communication required to successfully capitalize on
opportunities to improve water resources as part of land use planning, the City will strive to conduct the
following activities:
• Participate in an annual meeting to review water resource plan implementation, to be coordinated
by the WDs. Parties will discuss how the WDs can receive notice of and consult on land use,
infrastructure, park and recreation, and capital improvement planning efforts.
• Transmit the annual NPDES MS4 report to WDs (mutual transmittal, if applicable)
• Notify the WDs of the following:
o Updates to road and infrastructure implementation programs. The City annually produces a map of anticipated road reconstruction and road maintenance projects for the next five years.
o Updates to park and recreation plans.
o Institution and completion of small area plans and other focused development or redevelopment actions.
o Significant alterations within the City MS4 system (to maintain currency of the WD watershed-wide hydrology and hydraulics model).
o Updates to the City’s Wellhead Protection Plan and associated programs.
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o Updates to the Capital Improvement Plan.
• Partnership or coordination as to public communications and education.
The WDs are asked to complete the following activities:
• District notice to the City regarding watershed management plan amendments and annual capital
improvement program updates.
To capture CIP and budget planning, the annual meeting should occur early in the second quarter. The
annual meeting will involve the City’s Community Development Director, Economic Development
Manager, Engineering Director, Engineering Services Manager, and Water Resources Manager. The City
welcomes and will accommodate requests from the WDs for additional meetings and communications
that spur from the annual meeting. For elements the City and WDs identify for coordination, specific
communication plans and schedules will be made. The Water Resources Manager will facilitate
communication among appropriate parties based on the scope of the item.
Conversations around water resources planning occur continuously throughout the year and are guided
by this plan. It is common for various stakeholders across the community (public agencies, non-profit
organizations, resident groups, city departments, and private entities) to be involved in work that has
prominent or nuanced water resources implications. Some of the challenges of coordinating water
resources planning include the number of stakeholders involved, balancing funding priorities, community
attitudes, and the fact that plans and projects are often owned by others (and may have different
schedules, values, and service targets). Due to the dynamic nature of various concurrent activities and
planning efforts, maps of anticipated road reconstruction, potential park improvements, capital
infrastructure investment/reinvestment, priority water resources issues, and private development are not
provided here, but will be prepared ahead of each annual meeting. Spatial analysis tools allow for these
pieces of information to be integrated annually, efficiently incorporating the best available information.
The City and WDs have a history of partnership. The past successes have largely been the result of strong
working relationships that promote regular conversations. The City is eager to continue and expand
cooperative work in the following areas:
• CIP and budget planning: The City’s process for this is described in more detail in Section 3.5.3.
Internal review begins in second quarter, drafts are available for comment in third quarter, and
City Council takes action in December of each year.
• Private development and redevelopment: It’s common for large projects to go through a sketch
plan review with City Council. The City will share known upcoming projects at the annual meeting.
As WD staff develop relationships with the community and economic development staff at the
City, they can regularly and informally check in with the City to stay abreast of private
development and redevelopment activity. The City will facilitate a coordination meeting with
private developers and the WDs at the request of the WDs. For projects that do not go through a
sketch plan review, the City will inform permit applicants of the potential need for a WD permit
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and, when one is required, will not issue a City permit until the WD permit application has been
made.
• Public development and redevelopment: Described in more detail in Section 3.5.1.4. Because of
our strong working relationship with the WDs, the City is continually seeking opportunities for
coordination. This occurs through informal conversations as opportunities arise. Any future efforts
including small area plans or other planning activity will be shared at the annual meeting.
• Operation and maintenance: The City will inform the WDs of illicit discharges in a timely manner
and share a summary of the illicit discharge detection and elimination program at each annual
meeting. Additionally, the City will share its MS4 inspection results at each annual meeting.
• Regulatory enforcement: As described in Section 3.5.1.1.
• Education and engagement: As described in Section 3.5.1.2, the City will share its education and
engagement calendar at each annual meeting. The City asks the WDs to continue to cross-
promote and partner on events.
In 2014, the City and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District initiated a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to describe the common goal of clean water among the agencies and outline spheres of
collaboration in a number of areas including public education and outreach, development oversight,
integrated capital improvements, and planning coordination. A copy of the MOU is available in the City’s
Water Resources Library.
More recently, conversations between the City and MCWD have focused increasingly on the common
goal of reducing and managing flood risk. The MCWD is working to develop a two-dimensional hydraulic
and hydrologic model, for which the City and the MCWD are partnering on a pilot model build, to better
understand risks at a watershed scale and work cooperatively with communities to manage them.
The MCWD has expressed a desire to work with the City to evaluate the cumulative downstream effects of
the projects and policies in the City’s Flood Risk Reduction Strategy. While many of the proposed
changes, such as floodplain fill to elevate homes out of the floodplain or pipe upsizing to reduce structure
flooding, can be modeled to show no increase in flood stage on an individual project basis, the
cumulative effect across multiple projects is not well understood.
The City is committed to working cooperatively with the MCWD to understand and prevent or minimize
downstream impacts that may result from the City’s flood risk reduction efforts, including:
• Coordination on a project-specific basis to evaluate options to manage flood risk
• Advising MCWD in its development of a two-dimensional model to inform flood risk
management policies
• Exploring opportunities to partner with MCWD on regional flood storage projects
• Updating the MOU between the City and MCWD to reflect this intent
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3.5.1.4 Implementation Partnership Opportunities
The City will work closely with the NMCWD and MCWD to identify and implement water resource
protection or improvement partnership projects. While some opportunities may be associated with
development and redevelopment, other opportunities will be focused on land owned by the City.
Figure 3-3 shows the city-owned parcels throughout the city. A recent example includes cooperative
efforts with MCWD to address clean water, drainage issues, and civic engagement in Arden Park and
cooperative efforts with NMCWD to construct a stormwater filtration BMP in Rosland Park and
stormwater retrofit in Lynmar Basin. Anticipated future opportunities for water resource management or
improvement partnerships associated with City-owned parks and property redevelopment include:
Minnehaha Creek Watershed
• Weber Park: Flooding issues (and clean water co-benefits opportunity), civic engagement
• Grandview Green: Stormwater management, regional planning, permitting, civic engagement
• Exploration of possible regional flood storage opportunities: Meadowbrook Golf Course, Pamela
Park, existing pump stations at Melody Lake and near Interlachen golf course, and others
Nine Mile Creek Watershed
• Pentagon Park: Flooding issues (and clean water co-benefits opportunity), rule administration
planning, civic engagement
• Lake Cornelia: Clean water and flooding issues, civic engagement
• Lake Edina: Clean water and flooding issues, civic engagement
• Arrowhead Lake and Indianhead Lake: Clean water and flooding issues, civic engagement
• Mirror Lake: Clean water and flooding issues, civic engagement
This WRMP lays out a framework for working toward incremental improvement in water resource issues
through the Flood Risk Reduction Strategy and Clean Water Strategy. Through Plan implementation, the
City will continue to coordinate with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District to involve the applicable watershed district in the development of programs, projects,
and management strategies for each of the City’s focus areas.
3.5.2 Development Review Process and Land Use Planning
The City utilizes its Development Review process to address stormwater management and ensure water
resource protection within the City. Engineering staff review development and redevelopment proposals
to ensure that the stormwater management policies and performance standards detailed in Section 4.0 of
this plan are met. Engineering staff also consult the City’s Wellhead Protection Plan to ensure that
development and redevelopment proposals are in line with the protective measures established for the
City’s sensitive groundwater resources.
Staff from the City’s planning department review development and redevelopment proposals with the
guidance of the City's long-range Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. In addition to
incorporating the policies and design standards of this WRMP, the Edina Comprehensive Plan (City of
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Edina, 2018) includes policies, principles, and guidelines that integrate water resources protection and
management with land use planning. Among these include the City’s land use policy to “grow and
develop sustainably to protect the natural environment, promote energy efficiency, conserve natural
resources, and minimize the impacts of buildings on the environment” and to “maintain the current open
space and wetlands acreage and seek to expand it whenever possible”. The Comprehensive Plan
encourages reductions in impervious surfaces and associated stormwater runoff from redevelopment sites
and parking lot design that promotes stormwater infiltration, and also encourages protection and
improvement of urban forests, which provides stormwater management benefits, among others.
Additionally, the Edina Comprehensive Plan includes procedures for planning, programming, and
implementing transportation infrastructure, sewer and water infrastructure, and park, recreation, and
natural area management. These plans coincide with the timing of the local comprehensive planning
timeline and support the Transportation, Water Resources, and Parks & Trails elements of the
comprehensive plan.
The City’s zoning ordinance is used by staff in the planning department to guide development and
redevelopment within the city. The zoning ordinance establishes required setbacks from naturally
occurring lakes, ponds, and streams. In some cases, the buffer requirements of the watershed districts
may be more stringent, upon which the watershed district requirements supersede. The City’s zoning
ordinance also addresses development within the floodplain districts of the city.
Small Area Plans outline a long-range vision for land use and development in a very specific area of the
City based on input from residents and business representatives. A list of completed and upcoming Small
Area Plans is available on the City’s website: www.EdinaMN.gov/657/Small-Area-Plans.
The City of Edina is basically fully developed; thus, land alteration activities are primarily of a
redevelopment nature. As the city redevelops, the City utilizes the policies of the Edina Comprehensive
Plan, the zoning ordinance, and this WRMP to encourage low-impact site design. The City also relies on
implementation of the rules and regulations of the NMCWD and MCWD.
3.5.3 Prioritization
Prioritization of projects occurs within the City’s Capital Improvement Program and budget and is
determined by the City Council with guidance from City Staff and the Water Resources Management Plan
policies and implementation activities.
Top priority projects will be those that:
• Have measurable, long-term improvements to water quality, especially for waterbodies that are on the 303(d) Federal List of Impaired Waters or have data suggesting that the resource is not meeting clean water goals.
• Measurably reduce risks of flooding for principal structures.
• Combine clean water and flood resiliency benefits.
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• Solve drainage problems and reduce risk or consequence of flood, while maintaining or improving water quality.
• Provide the most service for the least cost.
The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a five-year plan for capital improvements that is updated
annually. The CIP process includes analyzing projects contributing to public health and welfare, projects
helping to maintain and improve the efficiency of the existing systems, and projects that define a future
need within the community.
The City implemented a two-year budget cycle process which takes an alternating year approach to the
operating budget and CIP processes. While both the operating budget and CIP are reviewed every year,
the majority of the planning, focus and effort will alternate between the two.
During even-numbered years, the City’s focus will be on the CIP. Extra efforts are dedicated to reviewing
the projects in the CIP and prioritizing them based on information available at the time. The operating
budget is reviewed but only updated if necessary.
During odd-numbered years, the City’s focus will be on the operating budget. Extra efforts are dedicated
to resident engagement processes and a two-year operating budget. The CIP is reviewed but only
updated if necessary.
During 2022, the City will develop the 2023-2028 CIP, with opportunities for public review and comment.
City Council formally adopts a CIP near the end of every even-numbered year.
A copy of the most current Capital Improvement Plan is available on the City’s website at
http://www.edinamn.gov/273/Finance.
3.5.4 Resources
The resources available to implement the Water Resources Management Plan include:
• City staff and equipment.
• Partnerships that leverage technical assistance, funding, and accomplish multiple overlapping goals.
• Coordination of project planning and implementation across City departments and with private development and redevelopment.
• Investments in stormwater management by others, driven by regulatory demand.
3.5.5 Financial Considerations
Implementation of the proposed regulatory controls, programs and improvements that are identified in
the plan will have a financial impact on the City. To establish how significant this impact will be, a review
of the means and ability of the City to fund these controls, programs, and improvements is necessary.
Table 3.5 lists potential sources of revenue for implementation of the water resources management
efforts outlined in this plan.
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Table 3.4 Potential Funding Sources for Plan Implementation
Description of Funding Sources Revenue Generated
1. Revenue generated by City’s Stormwater Utility. $5,400,000/yr (budgeted for 2022)
2. Special assessments for local improvements made under the authority granted by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429. Variable depending on activities undertaken
3. Revenue generated by the Watershed Management Special Tax Districts provided for under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 473.882. Variable depending on activities undertaken
4. For projects being completed by or in cooperation with NMCWD and MCWD, project funds could be obtained from watershed district levies associated with their administrative funds, construction funds, preliminary funds, repair and maintenance funds or survey and data acquisition funds, as provided for in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D.905.
Variable depending on activities undertaken
5. Grant monies that may be secured from various local, regional, County, State, or Federal agencies. This would include MnDOT, MPCA, Metropolitan Council, the MnDNR, and others.
Variable depending on activities undertaken
6. Other Sources: These may be other sources of funding for stormwater activities such as tax increment financing, state aid, etc. The City will continue to explore additional revenue sources as they become available.
Variable
7. Tax abatement.
3.5.6 Utility funding
The stormwater utility fund was created to manage storm water runoff quality in concert with the local
watershed. City projects often include repair and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure assets. Single
family residential properties pay a fixed quarterly fee. Commercial property owners are charged based on
the amount of impervious surface that does not allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground. Over
time, capital and programmatic costs for water resources management have increased to meet the
demand for flood risk reduction and clean water services.
To date, the stormwater utility has been able to keep up with improvements mandated by the state;
however, complying with the minimum standard hasn’t enabled the City to reach clean water goals and
sets out a timeline for accomplishing the goals that is far from reach. In order to see measurable
improvements in flood risk management, drainage, and clean water services, the City will need to begin to
plan financially for significant improvements to the system, beyond the minimum standard for annual
operations and maintenance. As the City and watershed districts continue to evaluate and develop plans
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for polluted waterways, there will be pressure to generate more revenue to fund stormwater management
systems.
3.5.7 Coordinated Policy Issues
Solving flooding, drainage, and clean water issues in the City will require a variety of tools, practices, and
partners. Various agencies are involved with flooding and clean water services or constrain or are affected
by the provision of these services. Coordinating policies among various stakeholders including watershed
districts, MPCA, DNR, city departments, and others will make delivery of these services more achievable.
Some ongoing coordinated policy issues that have been identified include:
• A need to understand the pace of progress and the investment needed to solve flooding,
drainage, and clean water issues. Statewide there have been small moves in solving these
problems. Technical obstacles (such as which practices are the most efficient, how to implement
them, assurances that they are working as intended), as well as political obstacles (such as how
much the city or other agencies are willing to invest and on what timeline) remains to be
determined.
• Alignment of the watershed district’s monitoring programs to include in-lake and BMP level
monitoring necessary to confirm designed outcomes, set goals for pollution reduction, and
prioritize future implementation.
• A need to plan surface water outcomes in public infrastructure topics. Elevating the focus of
flooding, drainage, and clean water issues in improvement projects as well as regular operation
and maintenance. This should be driven by a defined service level.
• Development of a program for inspection and maintenance of private stormwater BMPs. The City
will engage with the watershed districts to determine if a cooperative framework where the City
inspects private stormwater BMPS and the watershed districts enforce their maintenance
agreements is feasible.
• Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance trends represent liability that stresses existing
budgets. While much of the vast network of catch basins, ponds, outlets, and other stormwater
infrastructure on both the public and private side are made of durable materials and have long
design lives, they do require maintenance and will require reinvestment to continue to provide
service.
• Land use policies are connected to local flood risk. Increasing impervious cover and an already
overtaxed public system make it difficult to keep up with local flood issues.
• Flooding, drainage, and clean water services often compete for resources. The public demand for
each service varies greatly. Without defined service levels, resources are often allocated to solve
drainage issues or small flood issues while larger flood issues and clean water issues remain
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unresolved. An example of this is the public demand for pumping of lakes and ponds to manage
water levels. Defining the levels of each service is necessary to make progress toward goals.
• A need to build an understanding of flooding, drainage, and clean water issues among city
departments to better incorporate water resources planning into city operations (parks,
neighborhood roadway reconstruction, planning, economic development, permitting and
development review).
The City of Edina will continue to work with its decision-makers and partners to resolve these issues
and/or conflicts, where possible. However, many of these remaining issues are challenging problems that
may take significant time and effort to address.
3.6 Plan Update and Amendment Procedure
It is the intention of the City to have this WRMP reviewed and approved by the NMCWD and MCWD.
Once approved, no significant changes to this plan can be made without the approval of the proposed
revisions by the watershed districts within the City that are affected by the change. Significant changes to
the local plan shall be made known to the following parties:
• City Manager, Director of Public Works, and City Engineer
• Affected Watershed District within the City
• Metropolitan Council
• City Council
Following notification of the above parties, they shall have 60 days to comment on the proposed
revisions. Failure to respond within 60 days constitutes approval. Upon receipt of approvals from the
affected watershed districts within the City, any proposed amendments will be considered approved.
Minor changes to the Plan shall be defined as changes that do not modify the goals, policies, or
commitments expressly defined in this plan by the City. Adjustment to subwatershed boundaries will be
considered minor changes provided that the change will have no significant impact on the rate or quality
in which stormwater runoff is discharged from the City boundaries. Minor changes to this plan can be
made by the staff at the City without outside review.
This WRMP will guide the City of Edina’s activities through 2028 or until superseded by adoption and
approval of a subsequent WRMP. Amendments to the WRMP will be completed in accordance with
MCWD and NMCWD watershed plans, consistent with 8410.0160.
_______________________________________________ 1 To be determined
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Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program
Project Name / Location Description Proposed Improvement Cost Estimate ($) Proposed Year Funding Source
Plan Amendments This Water Resources Management Plan may need to be amended periodically. This plan will be amended as required. As Required As Required SW Utility
Plan Update/Revision
This Water Resources Management Plan will expire in 2028 and will need to be updated/revised to be consistent with WMO plans and policies and state and federal rules.
This Plan will be updated to maintain compliance with state and federal rules and WMO policies. 100,000 2027-2029 SW Utility
Interactive GIS water resources web mapping tools
Annual updates and maintenance activities for interactive GIS web mapping tool, as needed.
Web mapping tool will have continued functionality and reflect most up-to-date information available. 2,000 Annual SW Utility
City-wide education and resident involvement
Create and implement City’s Education Plan including educational and outreach tasks.
Maintain level of activity to involve and educate residents with various water related issues. 10,000/yr Annual SW Utility
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Continue implementation of the Illicit discharge detection and elimination program.
Inventory, mapping, inspection, enforcement and education. City Staff Annual SW Utility
Construction site stormwater runoff control Maintain construction site stormwater runoff control program. Plan review, inspection, enforcement and education. City Staff Annual SW Utility
Street Sweeping Pollution prevention through regular street sweeping.
Strategic street sweeping in target areas and at optimal times to minimize pollution to surface waters.
City Staff (3000 hours annually) Annual SW Utility
Storm Infrastructure Asset Inventory Manage inventory of stormwater infrastructure assets.
Actively manage database. Continue to incorporate private infrastructure and stormwater BMPs into inventory. Share stormwater network on interactive map.
City Staff Ongoing SW Utility
_______________________________________________ 1 To be determined
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Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program
Project Name / Location Description Proposed Improvement Cost Estimate ($) Proposed Year Funding Source
Stormwater infrastructure asset inspections
Inspection of stormwater infrastructure assets, public and private. Inspection and education. 60,000/yr Annual SW Utility
Storm Infrastructure Asset Operations and Maintenance Operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure assets.
Operations, maintenance, renewal, and replacement of stormwater infrastructure assets.
City Staff (1400 hours annually) Annual SW Utility
City facility operations and maintenance Manage city facilities to prevent pollution Regularly inspect facilities and adjust practices to prevent pollution City Staff Annual SW Utility
Updates to Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
Annual updates to City’s stormwater management system modeling to reflect infrastructure improvements. Current, up-to-date modeling results. 28,000/year Annual SW Utility
Impaired Waters Tracking and Review
Monitor impaired waters list and respond with review and implementation.
The City will remain informed and responsive to impaired waters issues. City Staff Ongoing SW Utility
Flooding and drainage improvements
Opportunistic flooding and drainage improvements to be addressed in street reconstruction projects, development / redevelopment, and other capital projects.
200,000/yr plus opportunistic Capital Improvement Projects
Ongoing SW Utility
Implementation of Stormwater Management Ordinance
Adopt and implement a stormwater management ordinance reflecting the policies and design standards detailed in this plan.
To be determined. Related to Flood Risk Reduction Strategy and Clean Water Strategy outcomes. City Staff TBD1 SW Utility
_______________________________________________ 1 To be determined
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Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program
Project Name / Location Description Proposed Improvement Cost Estimate ($) Proposed Year Funding Source
Wellhead Protection Plan
Implement wellhead protection plan and provide plan updates to MCWD and NMCWD.
Effectively manage and reduce where possible the number of potential contamination sources, namely private wells, through outreach and development review.
City Staff Ongoing SW Utility
Water Reuse Potential Investigate water reuse potential as opportunities arise. To be determined. City Staff Ongoing SW Utility
Infiltration and Inflow reduction Reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow to the sanitary sewer system. Reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow to the sanitary sewer system. 600,000/year Ongoing SW Utility
Implementation of Nine Mile Creek Chloride TMDL Implement the requirements of the Nine Mile Creek Chloride TMDL.
BMPs per the Nine Mile Creek Watershed Chloride TMDL Report, to be incorporated into Clean Water Strategy. City Staff Ongoing
SW Utility/ NMCWD/
Grant Funding
Implementation of recommendations from the Lower Minnesota River WRAPS and NMCWD UAAs
Partner with the NMCWD to implement the recommended remedial measures to improve the water quality of Lake Cornelia, Lake Edina, Nine Mile Creek.
To be determined and addressed in Clean Water Strategy. TBD1 2018-2028 SW Utility/ NMCWD/
Grant Funding
Participation in the NMCWD Mirror Lake Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) update and implement recommendations
Partner with the NMCWD to update UAA and implement recommended remedial measures to improve the water quality of Mirror Lake.
To be determined. TBD1 Ongoing SW Utility/ NMCWD/
Grant Funding
Participation in the NMCWD Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) update and implement recommendations
Partner with the NMCWD to update UAA and implement recommended remedial measures to improve the water quality of Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes.
To be determined. TBD1 Ongoing
SW Utility/ NMCWD/
Grant Funding
_______________________________________________ 1 To be determined
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Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program
Project Name / Location Description Proposed Improvement Cost Estimate ($) Proposed Year Funding Source
Engineering Standards Development
Continue to develop and implement stormwater management design standards. Consider ordinance changes as needed.
City Staff 2018-2023 SW Utility
Lake and Pond Management – aquatic vegetation
Implement lake and pond management policy to manage requests for aquatic vegetation destruction.
Algae treatments. Curlyleaf pondweed control. Special assessed aquatic vegetation management services. 45,000/yr Annual SW Utility and special assessments
Clean Water Strategy
Develop a water quality implementation program which outlines a plan for working toward meeting water quality goals. A tool to gain feedback from City Council and set the pace, location, and ultimate goal for clean water.
Strategy to be reviewed annually. Identifies water quality CIP and regular housekeeping practices, quantifies pollution removal, provides cost estimates. Determine pollutant load reduction necessary for nondegradation of water bodies. Coordinated with street reconstruction projects, redevelopment, park improvements, and other opportunity areas. Incorporates various TMDLs/WRAPS/UAAs/WRMP items and various BMPs. Has annual or biannual reporting to quantify movement toward goal – can also be used for annual SWPPP and MS4 reporting.
200,000 2022-2023 SW Utility/Grant Funding
Stormwater pond evaluation Accessory to Clean Water Strategy. Review of stormwater ponds to determine pollutant removal and develop maintenance schedule. 10,000 2022 SW Utility
Critical Facility Flood Risk Review Assess flood exposure for critical facilities and evacuation routes
Desktop GIS exercise to identify critical facilities, flood exposure tolerances, and potential impacts TBD 2023 SW Utility
_______________________________________________ 1 To be determined
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Table 3.5 Water Resources Implementation Program
Project Name / Location Description Proposed Improvement Cost Estimate ($) Proposed Year Funding Source
Flood response preparedness planning
Blue sky planning with leadership, emergency responders, planning, and engineering to provide efficient and effective emergency services during and after a flood hazard
Development of a substantial damage plan consistent with FEMA regulations and in line with Climate Action Plan item W 4-1. Annual training with key departments and stakeholders
80,000 2023-2024 SW Utility
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Table 3.6 Potential Implementation Activities (including Capital Improvements)
ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
Nine Mile Creek—North
S1 5.3.1.1 Maloney Avenue and Tyler Court (ML_35 and ML_19)
Upgrade the downstream 18” pipe to a larger pipe. Create an upstream pipe restriction to limit inflow and use upstream storage.
S2 5.3.1.2 Between Leslee Lane and Kaymar Drive (MD_22)
Upgrade the outlet pipes to larger pipes. Lower, or at least maintain, the surface overflow to Jeffrey Lane.
S3 5.3.1.3 Parkwood Road and Schaefer Road (MD_28, MD_29, and MD_35)
Underground storage combined with infiltration (B soils) under Parkwood Road. Lower, or at least maintain, the surface overflows between homes.
S4 5.3.1.4 Schaefer Road and View Lane (MD_38) Install a pipe to the east to Bredesen Park.
S5 5.3.1.5 Nine Mile Village Townhomes (MD_49) Construct a berm on the west side of Villa Lane. Redirect overflow from Bredesen Park slightly to the south.
S6 5.3.1.6 Hawkes Lake and Upstream Surrounding Area (HL_1, HL_11c, HL_11w, HL_49, and HL_12)
Increase the capacity of the pumped outlet and the downstream gravity drain. Add storage in the city-owned parcel in MD_15.
R1 5.2.1 Colonial Church Parking Lot and Colonial Way (CO_3, CO_4, and CO_10) N/A; to be studied.
R2 5.2.1 Nine Mile Creek, Malibu Drive (NMN_60) N/A; to be studied.
R3 5.2.1 Blake Road South and South Knoll Drive (MD_24 and MD_25) N/A; to be studied.
R4 5.2.1 Nine Mile Creek, south of Londonderry Drive, west of Walnut Drive (EdCrk3) N/A; to be studied.
R5 5.2.1 Nine Mile Creek, northwest of Vernon Avenue South and View Lane (EdCrk5) N/A; to be studied.
R6 5.2.1 Olinger Boulevard and Sun Road (MD_15) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C Hawkes Drive (HL_2) Construction of overflow swale between homes.
Appendix C 5711 and 5717 Grove St (HL_18) Upgrade to larger pipes.
Appendix C 5516 and 5520 Dundee Rd (HL_25) Perform detailed field survey. Additional pumping capacity may be required at lift station.
Appendix C Fountain Woods Apartments (NMN_90 and NMN_23) Privately owned drainage system. Notify owners of flood potential.
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ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
Nine Mile Creek—Central
S7 6.3.1.1 Antrim Road and Chapel Drive (NMC_41) Survey homes to confirm flooding problem. Individual flood-proofing. Lower, or at least maintain, the surface overflow between homes.
S8 6.3.1.2 Ridgeview Drive (NMC_106 and NMC_107)
Survey homes to confirm flooding problem. Install a gravity system, with a backflow preventer, to Nine Mile Creek on the other side of the railroad tracks. Install a pipe to connect to existing storm sewer at Tifton Drive and Ridgeview Drive.
S9 6.3.1.3 West 66th Street and Naomi Drive (NMC_71, NMC_74, and NMC_103)
Pumped outlet to Normandale Park, with additional storage added in the park, or a gravity system to Nine Mile Creek. Could connect to Nine Mile Creek through NMC_106 if that proposed improvement is constructed.
R7 6.2.1 Cherokee Trail (IP_2 and IP_4) N/A; to be studied.
R8 6.2.1 Nine Mile Creek, north of the West 70th Street crossing (NMC_1) N/A; to be studied.
R9 6.2.1 Valley View Road and Hillside Road (NMC_84, NMC_86, and NMC_120) Street Reconstruction Project for Edina in 2017.
R10 6.2.1 TH 62 at Nine Mile Creek crossing (NMC_104) N/A; to be studied.
R11 6.2.1 TH 62 at Tracy Avenue (NMC_28, NMC_94, NMC_93, NMC_92, and NMC_87) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 6005 and 6009 Crescent Dr (manhole 457) Construction of a positive overflow channel.
Appendix C Cherokee Trail and Gleason Backyard Depression Area (IP_4) Work with homeowners to evaluate construction of a low level outlet from landlocked depression.
Appendix C 5339 West 64th Street (NMC_80) Upgrade to larger pipes at Ridgeview Drive and Valley Lane.
Appendix C Valley View Road and Hillside Road (NMC_86 and NMC_120) Upgrade to larger pipe.
Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill
D1 2022 WRMP Appendix A: 4.3.1.1 2
Southdale Road Neighborhood (LE_34, LE_36, and LE_43)
Raise West 68th Street at the intersection with Valley View Road, increase storm sewer capacity to South Cornelia Lake, and/or add underground storage at Cornelia School Park and increase storm sewer capacity.
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ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
D2 2022 WRMP Appendix A: 4.3.1.2 2
Southwest Corner of TH 62 and TH 100 (NC_7, NC_8, NC_13, NC_11, NC_12, NC_14, NC_15, NC_16, and NC_20)2
Add targeted storm sewer inlets to maximum capacity without surcharding and/or add underground storage under steets in the upstream part of the neighborhood.
R12 7.2.1 Garrison Lane and St. Johns Avenue, northeast (NC_5 and NC_49) N/A; to be studied.
R13 7.2.1 Garrison Lane and St. Johns Avenue, southeast (NC_2) N/A; to be studied.
R14 7.2.1 South Cornelia, east side (SC_1) N/A; to be studied.
R15 7.2.1 Lake Edina (LE_1, LE_10, and LE_7) N/A; to be studied.
R16 7.2.1 Heatherton Trail (LE_29) N/A; to be studied.
R17 7.2.1 York Avenue South, north of Parklawn Avenue (AHR_15) N/A; to be studied.
R18 7.2.1 6124 Wilryan Avenue (NC_46 and NC_45) N/A; to be studied.
R19 7.2.1 Hazelton Road and Lynmar Lane (LE_19, LE_24, and LE_21) N/A; to be studied.
R20 7.2.1 Dunberry Lane and Oaklawn Avenue (LE_31 and LE_28) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C Swimming Pool Pond (NC_3)/North Lake Cornelia (NC_62) Upgrade pipe and outlet structure.
Appendix C Hibiscus Avenue (LE_53, LE_7, and LE_10) Construct positive overflow swale.
Appendix C 6312, 6316, 6321, 6329 Tingdale Ave (NC_11) No recommendation at this time. Further analysis required.
Appendix C St. Johns/Ashcroft and West 64th Street (NC_40 and NC_26) Installation of additional pipe to drain TH 62 median ditch and prevent upstream flooding.
Appendix C Barrie Road and Heritage Drive (NC_86, NC_97, and NC_99_ No recommendation at this time. Reevaluation of TH 62 system will be required.
Appendix C York Avenue and West 64th Street (NC_88) Increase pump capacity. Adjust pump on/off elevations.
Appendix C TH 62 at France Avenue (NC_132) No recommendation at this time. Reevaluation of TH 62 system will be required.
Appendix C Parnell Avenue and Valley View Road (NC_135) No recommendation at this time. Further analysis required.
Nine Mile Creek—South
S10 8.3.1.1 West 70th Street and West Shore Drive (NMS_38) Increase pipe capacity under West 70th Street. Regrade/lower the surface overflow along West
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ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
70th Street to the west. Add storage in Arnesan Park (LE_54) and install connecting pipe.
S11 8.3.1.2 Centennial Lakes (CL_1) Flood proof individual low entries. A floodwall (~3 feet) around the lake at the southern end.
R21 8.2.1 City of Edina Building, Metro Boulevard (NMS_51) N/A; to be studied.
R22 8.2.1
West 73rd Street, west of TH 100 (NMS_28, NMS_53, NMS_3, NMS_57, NMS_30, NMS_62, NMS_27, NMS_56, NMS_58, and NMS_65)
N/A; to be studied.
R23 8.2.1 Parklawn Avenue (NMS_77, NMS_70, and NMS_93) N/A; to be studied.
R24 8.2.1 Oaklawn Avenue and Gilford Drive (NMS_94 and LE_13) N/A; to be studied.
R25 8.2.1 France Avenue South and West 72nd Street (CL_58, CL_56, and CL_57) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 7001 and 7025 France Avenue (CL_51) No recommendation at this time.
Nine Mile South Fork
S12 9.3.1.1 McCauley Trail West (AH_6)
Increase pump and pipe capacity to Aarowhead Lake. Raise the control elevation upstream in AH_3 to store water upstream. Create additional connected storage in AH_9 and/or AH_13.
S13 9.3.1.2 Sally Lane and Valley View Road (NMSB_52, NMSB_69, and NMSB_77)
Increase the size of the culvert under Valley View Road. Work with the NMCWD to store water upstream west of TH 169.
R26 9.2.1 Between Gleason Road and Mark Terrace Circle (NMSB_27) N/A; to be studied.
R27 9.2.1 7122 Tupa Drive, 7117 Gleason Road, and 7116 Gleason Road (NMSB_13 and NMSB_30) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 6309 Post Lane (AH_31) Construction of two control structures to restrict flow through the existing storm sewer system.
Appendix C Braemar Golf Course (NMSB_62) No recommendation at this time. Further analysis required.
Appendix C 7009 and 7013 Sally Lane Backyard Depression Area (NMSB_70) None. Analyzed in STS-406.
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ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
Southwest Ponds
S14 10.3.1.1 Gleason Road and Bonnie Brae Drive (SWP_24)
Survey homes to confirm flooding problem. Individual flood-proofing of potentially impacted homes. Create additional storage in the city-owned parcels south of Bonnie Brae Drive.
R28 10.2.1 Kemrich Drive and Shannon Drive (SWP_53 and SWP_66) N/A; to be studied.
R29 10.2.1 Dewey Hill Road, west of Cahill Road (SWP_21, SWP_48, SWP_5, SWP_34, SWP_35, SWP_15, SWP_14, and SWP_4) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 7411 Coventry Way (SWP_14) Installation of flap gate.
Appendix C 7317 Cahill Road (SWP_46) No recommendation at this time. Further analysis required.
Appendix C 7709 Stonewood Court (NM494_4) Upgrade to larger pipes.
Northeast Minnehaha Creek
D3 2022 WRMP Appendix A: 9.3.1.1 2
Halifax Avenue South (MHN_84, MHN_3, MHN_56, MHN_89, MHN_55, MHN_61, MHN_62, MHN_63, MHN_87, MHN_88, MHN_90, and MHN_2) and Indianola Avenue (MHN_4, MHN_5, MHN_42, and MHN_72)
Regrade portions of Indianola Avenue, add underground strorage below church parking lot in southeast of neighborhood, and add storm sewer inlets and increase storm sewer capacity.
D4 2022 WRMP Appendix A: 9.3.1.2 2
Weber Park (MS_26, MS_25, MS_41, MS_32, MS_44, MS_24, MS_15, MS_53, MS_2, MS_38, MS_40, MS_54, MS_31, MS_33, MS_39a, and MS_39b)2
Project to address flooding issues started in 2022.
S15 12.3.1.1 Indianola Avenue South of West 50th Street (MHN_72)
Underground storage and infiltration (A soils) with sufficient inlet capacity. Enlarge downstream pipes to Minnehaha Creek, while not creating downstream impacts.
S16 12.3.1.4 Edinbrook Lane and Westbrook Lane (MHN_79)
Reroute flow from MHN_78. Improve, and possibly lower, the surface overflow to the north. Purchase the homes to create storage and infiltration (B soils).
S17 12.3.1.5 North of Morningside Road between Lynn Avenue and Crocker Avenue (MS_22)
Survey homes to confirm flooding problem. Add an inlet in the backyard area and connect to existing storm sewer under Crocker Avenue or Lynn Avenue.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
50
ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
S18 12.3.1.6 Branson Street between West 44th Street and Morningside Road (MS_3, MS_48, and MS_7)
Add inlets and connecting pipes in the backyard depression areas. Increase pipe sizes under Morningside Road. Add storage in MS_7. Add underground storage under Branson Street and Oakdale Avenue.
R30 12.2.1 West 50th Street and Arden Avenue (MHN_6, MHN_7, MHN_72, MHN_53, and MHN_54) N/A; to be studied.
R31 12.2.1 Country Club Road and Casco Avenue (MHN_16) N/A; to be studied.
R32 12.2.1 Minnehaha Creek, southeast of Wooddale Avenue and West 50th Street (MHC_3 and MHN_27) N/A; to be studied.
R33 12.2.1 Minnehaha Creek, southwest of TH 100 and West 44th Street (MHC_1) N/A; to be studied.
R34 12.2.1 Minnehaha Creek, southeast of TH 100 and West 44th Street (MHC_2) N/A; to be studied.
R35 12.2.1 Scott Terrace and West 42nd Street (MS_52) May be addressed with the Weber Park proposed improvements.
R36 12.2.1 Townes Road and West 48th Street (White Oaks) White Oaks Area, studied in 2013-2014, STS-406.
R37 12.2.1 TH 100 near Harvey Lake (H100_20 and H100_22) N/A; to be studied.
R38 12.2.1
Bridge Street and Moorland Avenue and Edina Boulevard (MHN_25, MHN_52, MHN_51, MHN_19, MHN_24, MHN_23, and MHN_22)
N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 4000 West 42nd Street and 4100, 4104, and 4108 France Ave (MS_40) Implement recommendations of the 2006 Weber Park Pond Feasibility Study.
Appendix C 4308 France Ave (MS_17) Work with homeowners to evaluate installation of gravity system to drain backyard depression area.
Appendix C Arden Avenue (MHN_14) No recommendations at this time.
Southeast Minnehaha Creek
D5 2022 WRMP Appendix A: 10.3.1.2 2
Concord and West 58th Street (MHS_59, MHS_26, MHS_58, MHS_42, MHS_53, and MHS_17)
Add storm sewer capacity aong West 58th Street, add surface storage at South View School, add underground street storage in the East Golf Terrace neighborhood and the Wooddale Church parking lot, and raise the overflow through private property on Woodland Road West.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
51
ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
S19 13.3.1.1
Tower Street (MHS_75, MHS_86, and MHS_76), between Fairfax Avenue and Wooddale Avenue (MHS_16), and North of 56th Street (MHS_83)
Add inlets in these areas and increase downstream capacity to Minnehaha Creek. .Add parallel pipe network from West 56th Street and Wooddale Avenue to West 56th Street and Kellogg Avenue. Underground storage and infiltration under side streets.
R39 13.2.1 Minnehaha Creek, north of Pamela Park (MHC_4, MHS_8, and MHS_9) N/A; to be studied.
R40 13.2.1 Woodcrest Drive and Backyard Pond (MHC_4, MHS_10, MHS_12, and MHS_41) N/A; to be studied.
R41 13.2.1 South end of Pamela Park, West 62nd Street (LP_26, LP_17, and LP_22) N/A; to be studied.
R42 13.2.1 East side of Pamela Park, Halifax Avenue South (LP_14, LP_10, LP_9, and LP_7) N/A; to be studied.
R43 13.2.1 West 61st Street, between Xerxes Avenue South and York Avenue South (MPLS_130) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C 6213 Ewing Ave (LP_15) Upgrade to larger pipes.
Appendix C 3600 West Fuller Street (MHS_4) Installation of a catch basin in backyard depression and storm sewer along Beard Avenue.
Appendix C 5605, 5609, 5613, 5617, 5621, 5625, and 5629 South Beard Avenue (MHS_79) Upgrade to larger pipes. Install catch basin in alley.
Appendix C 5837, 5833, 5829, and 5825 South Chowen Ave (LP_24) Installation of a catch basin in backyard depression area.
Appendix C Chowen Avenue and West 60th Street (LP_27)
Perform detailed survey/verification of storm sewer to verify pipe sizes, inverts, and low point of entry.
Appendix C 5912, 5916, 5920, 5924, 5928 Ashcroft Avenue and 5925 Concord Avenue (MHS_51) Pumped or gravity outlet of 3 cfs capacity.
Appendix C 5840 and 5836 Ashcroft Avenue (MHS_89) Work with homeowners to evaluate installation of catch basin from backyard depression.
Appendix C 5609 and 5605 Dalrymple Road (MHS_24), and 5610 and 5612 St. Andrews Avenue (MHS_66)
Construct surface overflow swale (1) or upgrade to larger pipes (2).
Appendix C 5701 Dale Avenue (ML_12) Upgrade to larger pipes.
Appendix C 5213 and 5217 Richwood Drive (ML_7) Perform detailed field survey of wetland storage. Further analysis required.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
52
ID1 WRMP Section2 Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
Northwest Minnehaha Creek
S20 14.3.1.1 Blake Road South and Spruce Road (HO_4)
Increase downstream pipe capacity: (1) increase pipe connecting HO_8 and HO_19, or (2) add additional outlet to the Interlachen Golf Course from the wet pond (HO_8) or from the existing storm sewer under Spruce Road. Add depressions/storage in the golf course to offset additional water.
R44 14.2.1 Annaway Drive and Interlachen Country Club (EI_3, EI_25, EI_25a, and EI_34) N/A; to be studied.
R45 14.2.1 Annaway Drive, Merilane Avenue, and Mait Lane (EI_1, EI_2, EI_4, and EI_5) N/A; to be studied.
Appendix C Interlachen Landlocked Area Construct/raise embankment between landlocked wetland and Meadowbrook Golf Course. Develop management plan for pumped outlet.
(1) In the ID column: D = detailed analysis conducted for flood-prone area (pink) In the ID column, S = screening level analysis conducted for flood-prone area (yellow) In the ID column, R = registered flood-prone area: identified as a flood-prone area but not studied further for this WRMP (blue) (2) Study areas updated as part of this WRMP update are included in Appnedix A to this WRMP; study areas not updated as part of this WRMP amendment reference sections of the 2018 WRMP.
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Braemar Park (Courtney Fields)
Bredesen Park
Rosland Park
Pamela Park
Lewis Park
Highlands Park
Walnut Ridge Park
T. Lea Todd Park
Open Space 1
Heights Park
Garden Park
Heights Park
Lincoln Drive Floodplain
Van Valkenburg Park
Fred Richards Golf Course
Arden Park
Krahl Hill
Creek Valley School Park
Lake Edina Park
Normandale Park
Weber Field Park
Arneson Acres Park
Countryside Park
Weber Woods
Centennial Lakes Park
Open Space 2
Open Space 3
Centennial Lakes Park
Alden Park
Utley Park
Open Space 2
Moore Property
Pamela Park
York Park
Yorktown Park
Centennial Lakes Park
Cornelia School Park
Wooddale Park
Strachauer Park
Garden Park
Open Space 5
Fox Meadow Park
Kojetin Park
Edinborough Park
Arden Park
Garden Park
McGuire Park
Fox Meadow Park
Birchcrest Park
Sherwood Park
Garden Park Addition
Melody Lake Park
Chowen Park
Open Space 2
Centennial Lakes Park
St. John's Park
Tingdale Park
York Park
Browndale Park
York Park
Frank Tupa Park
Grandview Square
Open Space 6
MinneapolisMinneapolis
HopkinsHopkins
Eden PrairieEden Prairie
RichfieldRichfield
MinnetonkaMinnetonka
BloomingtonBloomington
Saint Louis ParkSaint Louis Park
Barr Footer: ArcGIS 10.6, 2018-05-22 11:14 File: I:\Client\Edina\Projects\CRWMP_Update_2017\Maps\Reports\Figures_CityReviewDraft\Fig_15_1_City_Owned_Property.mxd User: smsCITY-OWNED PROPERTYWater ResourcesManagement PlanCity of Edina, Minnesota
FIGURE 3.4
0 3,000
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City-Owned Property
Park/Recreational Area
Streets and Highways
Creek/Stream
Lake/Pond
City of Edina Boundary
Imagery Source: MnGeo, 2016
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-1
4.0 Policies for Water Resources
Management
The following sections outline the policies for the three core services provided through the water
resources program: flood risk and stormwater runoff management, clean water services, and natural
resources restoration and protection.
4.1 Flood Risk and Stormwater Runoff Management
The City adopts the following general flood risk and stormwater runoff management policies
(Sections 4.1.1 through 4.1.5 provide specific policies and standards):
1. The primary goal for the City’s flood risk reduction effort is to improve public safety and reduce
the exposure of private principal structures to flooding
a. We improve public safety by reducing the potential hazards people may encounter
associated with floods.
b. We reduce principal structure exposure by keeping infrastructure systems well-
maintained, retrofitting for new capacity, or rebuilding for new capacity when
infrastructure is replaced at the end of its lifecycle.
c. We regulate development and redevelopment to ensure the actions proposed at the time
of development considers flood risk and does not adversely impact others.
2. The development of new infrastructure and programs should include consideration to reduce
flood risk for principal structures.
3. The City adopts No Adverse Impact (NAI) principles
to promote responsible development measures for
private development and public design standards.
4. The City will maintain a map with flood exposure
information and make it available to the public. We
will incorporate changes to reflect our best
understanding of the hydraulics, hydrology,
stormwater infrastructure and natural conveyance
systems, topography, and land use and development.
A floodplain is any land area
susceptible to being inundated by
floodwaters from any source. More
specifically, the Minnesota
Floodplain Management Act of 1969
defines the floodplain as that area
adjoining a watercourse which is
subject to inundation by a flood of
1-percent-annual-chance.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-2
5. The City will engage the community in decision-
making and encourage active participation in
addressing water resources problems.
6. The City will determine the applicable 1-percent-
annual-chance flood elevation(s) by using the best
information available at the time. For regional flood
areas, the applicable 1-percent-annual-chance flood
elevation will be based on FEMA’s effective Flood
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance
Study (FIS), flood management elevations adopted
by the respective watershed district, or hydrologic
and hydraulic model(s) developed by the respective
watershed district, whichever is higher. For local
flood areas, the applicable 1-percent-annual-chance
flood elevation will be based on the City’s 2022
WRMP or subsequent XPSWMM model updates. The
applicable 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevations
are subject to change due to periodic model updates
that incorporate additional or more accurate
information and may differ from the flood elevations
identified in this plan.
7. The local 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevation
will be based on a 24-hour duration precipitation
event unless an event of another duration is
determined to result in a higher flood elevation. The
1-percent-annual-chance, 10-day snowmelt event
will be used for landlocked basins.
8. The rules and requirements of the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District and Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District are applicable and can be found on the
respective watershed district website.
9. Requests for city-coordinated pumping to lower
water levels during wet periods will be evaluated
A basin is considered landlocked if it
doesn’t have an outlet in the 10-
percent-annual-chance event. If it
outlets in the 10-percent-annual-
chance event it is not considered
landlocked. Landlocked basins may
be subject to prolonged higher-
than-normal water levels during
periods of high precipitation
For a regional flood area, the
applicable 1-percent-annual-chance
flood elevation (also called the
Special Flood Hazard Area) is based
on the higher of FEMA’s effective
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
and Flood Insurance Study (FIS),
flood management elevations
adopted by the respective watershed
district, or hydrologic and hydraulic
model(s) developed by the
respective watershed district.
Regional tailwater refers to the
local flood area which is controlled
by the regional flood area.
A local flood area is the area below
the modeled 1-percent-annual-
chance flood elevation for areas
outside of the regional flood area.
These areas are described in detail in
Appendix A of this plan.
Generally, regional flood conditions
tend to persist longer than local
flood conditions.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-3
based on the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Pumping will only be considered when flooding
threatens principal structures. (Resolution No. 2021-
22: City’s Policy of Prioritizing Flooding Issues,
adopted by City Council on February 17, 2021.)
4.1.1 Minimum Principal Structure Elevations
To prevent flooding of principal (to include both residential
and non-residential commercial industrial or institutional)
structures, the City will implement the following standards in
addition to the Floodplain Overlay Districts ordinance (City
Code Chapter 36, Article 10).
1. New principal structures, additions, and other
permanent fixtures including heating and air
conditioning ventilation systems must have a
lowest floor elevation at least two feet above the
applicable 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevation
if one or more of the following conditions exist:
a. The structure is partially or wholly within the
subwatershed of a regional flood area;
b. The structure is partially or wholly within the
subwatershed of a local flood area subject
to regional tailwater effects (the regional
tailwater elevation shall apply);
c. The City Engineer determines the structure to be at significant risk due to seepage.
2. New principal structures that are not subject to Section 4.1.1 (1) and are partially or wholly within
the subwatershed of a ponding basin must have a lowest floor elevation at least two feet above
the ponding basin outlet elevation and must satisfy
applicable watershed district requirements (see
Section 4.1.1 (5)).
3. New principal structures, additions, and other
permanent fixtures including heating and air
conditioning that are partially or wholly within the
subwatershed of a landlocked basin must have a
lowest floor elevation that is at least two feet
above the water level resulting from two concurrent
Ponding basin describes an area
used for long term or extended flood
storage, for example detention
basins/ponds, retention
basins/ponds, infiltration basins,
natural waterbodies, or other areas
that provide flood storage either by
design or naturally.
Temporary storage area describes
an area used for short term,
temporary flood storage, for
example infiltration assets, backyard
depression areas, streets, parking
lots, or other areas that provide
temporary short term flood storage
either by design or naturally.
Stormwater conveyances may be
natural systems or engineered
facilities with temporary flow or
baseflow.
Flow path is temporary and may be
planned or unplanned overland flow.
Lowest floor elevation is the floor elevation of the lowest enclosed area (including basement or crawl space).
Lowest opening elevation is the lowest opening of a structure, for example garage door, windowsill, top of window well elevation, or walkout elevation.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-4
1 or 10-percent-annual chance, 24-hour rainfall events or two feet above the 1 or 10-percent-
annual chance 10-day snowmelt, whichever is higher. In either case, the starting elevation of the
basin/waterbody prior to the runoff event should be established by one of the following:
a. Existing Ordinary High Water Level established by the MnDNR;
b. Ordinary High Water Level established by a licensed surveyor in accordance with the
MnDNR’s ‘Guidelines for Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) Determinations’
c. Annual water balance calculation approved by the City;
d. Local observation well records, as approved by the City; or
e. Mottled soil.
Note: The landlocked basin 1-percent-annual-chance and/or 10-percent-annual-chance flood
elevation may be lowered by creating new storage, excavating an overflow swale, limiting flows
into the basin, or installing an outlet pipe at an overflow point.
4. New principal structures, additions, and other permanent fixtures including heating and air
conditioning ventilation systems must have a lowest opening elevation at least two feet above
the applicable 1 percent-annual-chance flood elevation if one or more of the following conditions
exist:
a. The structure is partially or wholly within the subwatershed of a local flood area;
b. The structure is partially or wholly within the subwatershed of a local flood area subject
to regional tailwater effects (the local flood area elevation shall apply);
c. The structure is partially or wholly within the subwatershed of a temporary storage area,
an emergency overflow, flow path, or stormwater conveyance; the 1-percent-annual-
chance flood elevation of the temporary storage area, emergency overflow, flow path, or
stormwater conveyance at the point where the temporary storage area, emergency
overflow, flow path, or stormwater conveyance is closest to the structure applies.
5. Principal structure modifications that require a watershed district permit must conform to their
minimum elevation standards.
6. Site-specific Standards for Principal Structure Elevations:
The basis for the site-specific standard is to allow an alternative path for risk reduction that
doesn’t require 2 feet of freeboard (but not less than zero feet of freeboard) as required in
Section 4.1.1 and/or below grade parking garages design standards as required in Section 4.1.3.
This may include strategies that reduce flood vulnerability instead of or in addition to reducing
flood exposure. The outcome should still be overall reduction in risk. Elevation standards for the
lowest floor elevation or lowest opening elevation reduce flood exposure by providing two feet of
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-5
freeboard between the structure and the floodplain. Site-specific standards for lowest floor
elevation or lowest opening elevation less than the two feet of freeboard required by
Section 4.1.1 and/or lesser below-grade parking garages design standards as required by
Section 4.1.3 may be allowed given all the following conditions are met:
a. The project is not partially or wholly within the subwatershed of a regional flood area.
b. The project is not partially or wholly within the subwatershed of a local flood area
subject to significant regional tailwater effects.
c. The project results in a net reduction in vulnerability from existing conditions. For
example, additional construction methods and precautions are proposed that reduce the
potential for flood damage to the structure.
d. The project owner demonstrates that meeting the lowest floor elevation or lowest
opening elevation requirements as described in Section 4.1.1 presents practical
difficulties for complying.
e. The project does not adversely impact the flood exposure of others.
f. The project design is approved by the City Engineer.
g. The project design meets the applicable rules of the respective watershed district.
4.1.2 Structure Setbacks
1. All principal and accessory structures shall maintain setbacks described in City Code Sec. 36-1268.
2. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(MnDNR) determines OHWLs. In the absence of a
MnDNR defined OHWL, the following elevations
shall be used in reference to setbacks;
a. The city-established outlet elevation for the
lake, pond, or wetland.
b. The elevation delineating the highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient
period to leave evidence upon the landscape, commonly the point where the natural
vegetation changes from predominantly aquatic to predominantly terrestrial, as
established by a professional land surveyor.
c. The top of the bank of the channel for Minnehaha Creek and Nine Mile Creek.
OHWL and outlet elevation can be
access through the City’s interactive
web maps,. OHWL are listed in
Table 2.4.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-6
4.1.3 Below-Grade Garages and Parking
To prevent flooding of below-grade garages and parking facilities, the City will implement the following
design standards:
1. Construction of below-grade parking garages in residential structures within local flood and
regional flood areas is prohibited.
2. Construction of below-grade parking garages in mixed-use and non-residential structures within
local flood and regional flood areas is permitted, provided the structure (including the parking
garage) is flood proofed to two feet above the applicable 1-percent-annual-chance flood
elevation in accordance with the following design standards:
a. Together with associated utility and sanitary
facilities, the structure must be designed so that
below two feet above the 1-percent-annual-
chance flood elevation the structure is
watertight with walls substantially impermeable
to the passage of water and with structural
components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects
of buoyancy.
b. A Floodproofing Certificate and Inspection and
Maintenance Plan must be provided by a
registered professional engineer or architect.
c. A floodproofing design that entails human
intervention, such as the installation of flood
gates or flood shields, will require a Flood
Emergency Operation Plan.
4.1.4 Stormwater Infrastructure Design Standards
Stormwater infrastructure provides drainage, flood risk
management, management of pollution, and protection of
natural resources. The City adopts the following design
standards for all new stormwater infrastructure assets:
1. All ponding basins, temporary storage areas, and basin
outlet pipes should be designed to collectively detain and/or convey the flows from the critical 1-
percent-annual-chance, 24-hour rainfall or 10-day snowmelt event in landlocked basins. Ponding
For further guidance including
requirements and certification of
below-grade parking garages, review
the following;
•FEMA’s Technical Bulletin 6-
93, “Below-Grade Parking
Requirements for Buildings
Located in Special Flood
Hazard Areas”
•FEMA’s Technical Bulletin 3-
93, “Non-Residential
Floodproofing – Requirements
and Certification”.
FEMA establishes minimum floodplain
management requirements and both
allows and encourages local agencies
to adopt higher standards to increase
flood resiliency, especially when local
agencies have access to information or
knowledge of conditions that require
higher standards than the minimum
criteria.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-7
basins should be designed to contain the flows from the 1-percent-annual-chance storm without
overtopping.
2. The City will place a high priority on safely storing and
conveying water for the critical storm as stormwater
assets are added, upgraded, renewed, or replaced.
3. The City will require new stormwater conveyance systems
to provide a 10-percent-annual-chance (10-year) level of
service. Existing stormwater conveyance systems that
currently do not provide a 10-percent-annual-chance level of service will be modified, as
opportunities arise and as feasible.
4. Where practical and physically possible, regional ponding basins and temporary storage areas, as
opposed to individual onsite ponding basins and temporary storage areas, are preferred to
reduce flooding, to control discharge rates, and to provide necessary storage volumes.
5. All ponding basins and temporary storage areas should have planned, stabilized emergency
overflow conveyance paths or structures to minimize impacts resulting from extreme storms or
plugged outlet conditions.
6. Each ponding basin and temporary storage area should have an access point for maintenance
purposes.
7. The City will allow outlets from landlocked basins only when such outlets are at or above the 1-
percent-annual-chance floodplain, are consistent with state and federal regulations, and the
downstream principal structure, riparian, and habitat impacts of such outlets have been analyzed
and no detrimental impacts result. An exception to this policy is the City will allow an outlet below
the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain elevation in situations where public safety is threatened
and/or inundation of principal structures would be likely if the outlet is at a higher elevation.
4.2 Clean Water Services
The streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands in the City of Edina are an important community resource. These
resources supply aesthetic and recreational benefits, in addition to providing wildlife habitat and refuge.
The City recognizes the need to assure adequate water quality in the water bodies within the city and will
take steps to protect and improve these resources. The City of Edina will manage the City’s water
resources so that the beneficial uses of lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands remain available to the
community. Such beneficial uses may include aesthetic appreciation, wildlife habitat protection, nature
observation, and recreational activities.
The City adopts the following general policies addressing clean water services:
1. The City will review, permit, and enforce standards for construction activities to prevent pollution.
The City has an inventory of
public and private stormwater
infrastructure assets which can
be found online via the City’s
interactive web maps,
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-8
a. The City will implement stormwater management requirements for single and double
dwelling units as described in City Code, chapter 10 and for site plans associated with
commercial, multifamily, and multiuse as described in City Code, chapter 36.
b. The City requires erosion and sediment controls and submittal of erosion and sediment
control plans for proposed construction activities.
c. The City will direct that entities proposing construction projects that disturb more than
1 acre of land will need to apply for coverage under the MPCA’s General NPDES
Construction Stormwater Permit.
2. The City will work to heighten community awareness of water quality management through
education and training to reduce pollution sources including, but not limited to, chloride.
3. The City will engage the community in decision-making and encourage active participation in
addressing water resources problems.
4. The City will manage its natural systems so that the beneficial uses of streams, natural wetlands,
natural ponds, and lakes remain available to the community.
5. The City will conduct targeted street sweeping and encourage other forms of upstream pollutant
reduction in areas closer to the source of such pollutants.
6. The City will encourage use of regional stormwater infrastructure, as opposed to individual on-site
stormwater infrastructure, to reduce flooding, control discharge rates, and provide for water
quality management.
7. The rules and requirements of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District are applicable and can be found on the respective watershed district website.
The City will work with the MPCA, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District to implement the recommendations and/or requirements of existing or future
WRAPS and TMDL(s) throughout the city.
8. The City will work with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District,
and lake associations to study the health of waterbodies and plan activities for protecting and
improving waterbodies.
9. The City will waive permit fees for collaborative projects with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and other cities where the project purpose aligns
align with clean water or flood risk reduction goals and the watershed district is paying 50% or
more of the costs of the project.
10. The City will target improvements to address pollutant loading from watershed sources, and
partner with watershed districts and lake associations to address internal phosphorus loads.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-9
11. The City will promote and protect a diverse, native population of aquatic vegetation that
contributes to a balanced ecosystem through partnerships with watershed districts and lake
associations.
12. The City will conduct management of invasive aquatic species where the management strategy
has a measurable clean water benefit.
13. The City will encourage the use of low-impact site design for development and redevelopment
within the city.
14. The City will, where feasible, apply low-impact site design principles for City-sponsored
improvement projects.
4.3 Wetlands
The City of Edina’s goal is to achieve no net loss of wetlands, including acreage, functions, and values.
Though it may be tempting to modify wetlands to make them resemble their state during periods of
drought (when most of the City was developed) (see Section 3.3), wetlands have adapted to natural cycles
of wet and drought and they should not be prevented from experiencing continued adaptation in the
future. These are important factors in natural wetland hydrology that maintain the functions and values
that wetlands provide. Where practical, opportunities to improve the functions, values, biological diversity,
and acreage of existing wetlands should be sought.
The City adopts the following policies relating to natural wetlands within the city:
1. The City discourages wetland alteration. Unavoidable wetland alterations must be mitigated in
conformance with the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) requirements and the requirements of
the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District or Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and must be
guided by the following principles, in descending order: avoid the impact, minimize the impact,
rectify the impact, reduce or eliminate the impact over time, and compensate for the impact.
2. The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District are the local
government units (LGU) responsible for administering the Wetland Conservation Act in the City of
Edina. The City will work in conjunction with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District on issues pertaining to wetland alterations within the city
boundary.
3. The City will support watershed districts and other agencies in their efforts to maintain and
periodically update wetland inventory data and management classifications.
4. The City will incorporate wetland data into its inventory as wetland delineations are performed
either as part of a comprehensive inventory or as the result of standalone projects.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-10
5. The City will partner with watershed districts to restore previously existing wetlands and enhance
existing wetlands.
6. The City will involve the appropriate regulatory agencies (e.g., MPCA, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and the MnDNR) in the planning of any proposed water quality or flood control
facilities identified in this plan that may be located within a wetland.
7. The City will provide buffer zones of native vegetation, where feasible, around ponds and
wetlands to provide habitat. The City will work with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to educate the public regarding wetland protection and the
importance of creating and maintaining vegetative buffers. Land use and property ownership may
limit the ability to provide buffer zones.
8. Constructed stormwater ponds will be managed as stormwater assets, not naturally occurring
wetlands.
4.4 Natural Resources Restoration and Protection
The City’s goals are to protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, soils and native landscapes. To
accomplish this objective, the City adopts the following policies:
1. Cooperate with other units of government to complete habitat and recreation corridor
connections (trails and greenways).
2. Maintain, enhance, or provide new habitat as part of wetland modification, stormwater facility
construction, Parks redevelopment, or other appropriate projects.
3. Encourage alternative landscape designs that increase beneficial habitat, wildlife and clean water ;
promote infiltration and vegetative water use, decrease detrimental wildlife uses (such as beaver
dams, goose overabundance), protect water control facilities, stabilize soils with deep roots near
the shoreline, stabilize soils for water quality or recreational opportunity ,and minimize irrigation
demand and chemical control.
4.5 Groundwater
The City’s goal is to protect the quality and quantity of groundwater resources. The City adopts the
following groundwater policies:
1. The City will encourage groundwater recharge and protect recharge areas from potential sources
of contamination. The City will provide increased greenspace, native vegetation, and pond “dead”
storage wherever possible and appropriate to allow for the infiltration of stormwater runoff and
promote groundwater recharge.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
4-11
2.The City will encourage use of grassed waterways to maximize infiltration where not detrimental
to groundwater supplies.
3.The City will implement groundwater quality and quantity protection measures outlined in the
City’s Wellhead Protection Plan, Part II (2013) or the next generation of this plan..
4.The City will address unused unsealed private wells through the permitting process.
5.The City will review and adopt as necessary a water sustainability ordinance that is protective of
groundwater quality and quantity.
6.The City will investigate, and implement where feasible, water reuse projects.
7.The City will promote awareness of groundwater resource issues through public education and
information programs.
4.6 Appeal Process
Appeals in which it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination
made by an administrative officer in interpretation or enforcement shall be pursued consistent with City
Code chapter 36. The Planning Commission shall serve as the board of appeals and adjustments.
4.7 Water Resources Management Agreements
Water resource management-related agreements that the City has entered with other organizations can
be found online through the “Edina Docs” Water Resources Library: http://edinadocs.edinamn.gov/
•City of Bloomington: for the area of the Border Basin
•City of Eden Prairie: for the area along Washington Avenue
•City of Richfield: for the outlet from Adam’s Hill Pond
•City of Hopkins: for the area east of Blake Road and along TH 169
•City of St Louis Park: for Meadowbrook Golf Course and Morningside area
•Minnehaha Creek Watershed District: for Arden Park, Pamela Park Water Quality Improvements,
and the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding outlining spheres of collaboration
•Nine Mile Creek Watershed District: for the establishment of a framework for collaborative pursuit
of water resource improvement projects (2019), Edina/Nine Mile Creek Streambank Stabilization
project (2015, 2019), Pentagon Park assessment and planning (in cooperation with the City of
Bloomington), Rosland Park BMP Project (2020), 2019-2020 alum treatment, and Lynmar Basin
Stormwater Retrofit Project (2022).
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
5.0 References
Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). 2016 conference. Critical Facilities Assessment for Southeastern Connecticut: Strategies for Flood Resilience.
Barr Engineering Company, 1999a. Glen Lake Use Attainability Analysis.
Barr Engineering Company, 1999b. Round Lake Use Attainability Analysis.
Barr Engineering Company, 2001. Bloomington Use Attainability Analysis. Prepared for Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.
Barr Engineering Company, 2004. Draft Mirror Lake Use Attainability Analysis.
Barr Engineering Company, 2006. Draft Lake Cornelia Use Attainability Analysis.
Barr Engineering Company, 2016. City of Edina Imperviousness Assumptions for Stormwater Modeling. Prepared for City of Edina.
City of Edina, 2009. Edina Comprehensive Plan.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-79/31.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2016. Flood Insurance Study for Hennepin County, MN All Jurisdictions.
Hennepin Conservation District, 2003. Functional Assessment of Wetlands, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2014. Assessment Report 5 (AR5).
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2022. Assessment Report 6 (AR6).
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, 2007. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, 2018. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Watershed Management Plan.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1999. Minnesota Routine Assessment Method for Evaluating Wetland Functions (MnRAM).
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2000. Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas, March 2000.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2005. Minnesota Stormwater Manual.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2010. Nine Mile Creek Biological Stressor Identification. Prepared by Barr Engineering Company.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2013. Minnehaha Creek E. coli Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load. Prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2015. South Metro Mississippi River Total Suspended Solids Total Maximum Daily Load Study. Prepared by MPCA and LimnoTech.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), 2016. Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Chloride Total Maximum Daily Load Study. Prepared by MPCA and LimnoTech.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), February 2020. Lower Minnesota River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Study Part II—Northern Watersheds: Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek and Nine Mile Creek Watersheds. Prepared by MPCA and Barr Engineering Co.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), April 2021. Lake Pepin and Mississippi River Eutrophication Total Maximum Daily Load Study. Prepared by MPCA and LimnoTech.
Mitsch, W.J. and J.G. Gosselink, 2000. Wetlands.
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, 2017. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Water Management Plan.
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, July 2019. Lake Cornelia and Lake Edina Water Quality Study - Use Attainability Analyses for Lake Cornelia (updated from 2010) and Lake Edina (first version). Prepared by Barr Engineering Co.
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, June 2020. Lake Cornelia and Lake Edina Water Quality Improvement Project – Feasibility Study/Preliminary Engineering Report. Prepared by Barr Engineering Co.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013. Atlas 14 Volume 8 - Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Midwestern States.
Schwab, G.O., D. Fangmeier, W. Elliot, and R. Frevert, 1993. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering.
Shaw, S.P., and C.G. Fredine, 1959. Wetlands of the United States: Their Extent and Their Value to Waterfowl and Other Wildlife. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Circular 39.
Stack LJ, Simpson MH, Gruber J, Moore TL, Yetka L, Eberhart L, Gulliver J, Smith J, Mamayek T, Anderson M, Rhoades J. 2014. Long-term climate information and forecasts supporting stakeholder-driven adaptation decisions for urban water resources: Response to climate change and population growth. Final project report: Sectoral Applications Research Program FY2011, Climate Program Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
State of Minnesota, Stormwater Advisory Group, 1997. Stormwater and Wetlands: Planning and Evaluation Guidelines for Addressing Potential Impacts of Urban Stormwater and Snow Melt Runoff on Wetlands. June 1997.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wetlands Delineation Manual. 1987.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau, 1961. “Technical Paper No. 40. Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1988. Stormwater Management Model, Version 4: User’s Manual.
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
Appendices
Appendix A Modeling Methods and Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis of Drainage Areas:
A1. Methodology for Modeling
A2. Nine Mile Creek North
A3. Nine Mile Creek Central
A4. Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill
A5. Nine Mile Creek South
A6. Nine Mile South Fork
A7. Southwest Ponds (Dewey Hill Road Area)
A8. TH 169 North
A9. Northeast Minnehaha Creek
A10. Southeast Minnehaha Creek
A11. Northwest Minnehaha Creek
Appendix A Attachment A City of Edina Imperviousness Assumptions for
Stormwater Modeling
Appendix A Attachment B Summary of Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek
Modeling Approach
Appendix B Legacy Flood Risk Reduction Project Recommendations
Appendix C List of Pond Improvement Recommendations
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
Appendix A
Modeling Methods and Hydrologic and
Hydraulic Analysis of Drainage Areas
A1. Methodology for Modeling
A2. Nine Mile Creek North
A3. Nine Mile Creek Central
A4. Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill
A5. Nine Mile Creek South
A6. Nine Mile South Fork
A7. Southwest Ponds (Dewey Hill Road Area)
A8. TH 169 North
A9. Northeast Minnehaha Creek
A10. Southeast Minnehaha Creek
A11. Northwest Minnehaha Creek
Attachment A – City of Edina Imperviousness Assumptions for
Stormwater Modeling
Attachment B – Summary of Nine Mile Creek and Minnehaha
Creek Modeling Approach
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
Appendix B
Legacy Flood Risk Reduction Potential Projects
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-1
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Nine Mile Creek-North
5.3.1.1 Hawkes Drive (HL_2)
Hawkes Drive is a cul-de-sac on the east side of Hawkes Lake. A low area exists along
this street, south of the intersection with Hawkes Terrace. Two catch basins are located
in this low area, which connect to the 12-inch storm sewer system that discharges into
Hawkes Lake. During the 100-year frequency storm event, the 12-inch storm sewer
does not provide enough capacity and street flooding occurs in the low area along
Hawkes Drive to an elevation of 902.3 MSL. Based on the 2-foot topographic
information, flood waters from the street will flow west via overland flow toward the
Lake at an elevation above 902 MSL. To ensure that the flooding does not encroach
upon the homes at 5713 and 5717 Hawkes Drive, a positive overland flow swale should
be constructed between the homes.
Addressed in 2012 Street reconstruction with 4 inlets and a 12” RCP to 18” HDPE pipe burst improvement.
5.3.1.2 5711 & 5717 Grove Street
(HL_18)
A depression area exists in the backyards of 5711 and 5717 Grove Street. Stormwater
from a 3-acre subwatershed (HL_18) drains to this depression area. A 21-inch storm
sewer system runs through the backyard area and flows northward to Grove Street. A
beehive structure is located at the low point in the backyard area to collect the
stormwater. During the 100-year frequency storm event, the 21-inch system does not
provide sufficient capacity, and water pools in the backyard depression area. The
predicted 100-year frequency flood elevation is 904.4 MSL. This flood elevation is
slightly higher than the low house elevations for 5711 and 5717 Grove Street, which
were surveyed at 903.6 MSL and 903.5 MSL, respectively. To decrease the 100-year
frequency flood elevation in the backyard depression area and provide a 100-year level
of protection, it is recommended that the 21-inch pipe system spanning from the
backyard depression area to Grove Street be upgraded to 24-inch pipes. This change
would decrease the calculated 100-year flood elevation to 903.5 MSL without causing
negative effects upstream or downstream.
This flood issue was evaluated as part of the 2015 street reconstruction project.
Pipes were upsized in 2015 Countryside H Neighborhood Roadway Improvement (ENG 15-4). Improvement
included a 21”RCP to 24” pipe burst and upsize to 28” RCP arch pipe.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-2
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
5.3.1.3
5516 & 5520 Dundee
Road (HL_25)
West of 5516 and 5520 Dundee Road, a depression area is located that collects
stormwater during precipitation events. Due to past flooding problems, a lift station
was installed in this backyard area to pump stormwater east to Dundee Road, where
the stormwater flows southward down Dundee Road until it reaches the gravity storm
sewer system. The current lift station has a pumping capacity of approximately 150
gpm. For the XP-SWMM analysis, the available storage volume in the backyard
depression area and the elevation at which the pump turns on/off were based on the
2-foot topographic data. Based on this information, the calculated 100-year frequency
flood elevation is 897.2 MSL. This elevation is higher than the surveyed low house
elevations for 5516 and 5520 Dundee Road, 894.26 MSL and 895.67 MSL, respectively.
Comparison of the field survey data with the 2-foot topographic data leads to
uncertainty of the accuracy of the topographic information in this area. It is
recommended that a detailed field survey be performed to determine the accuracy of
the topographic data and storage assumptions in this area. If it is determined that the
topographic data used was accurate, it is recommended that additional pump capacity
be added to the lift station to prevent the structures at 5516 and 5520 Dundee Road
from incurring flood damage. Another option to alleviate flooding in the backyard
depression area is to create a positive overland flow swale toward the pond that is
located approximately 400 feet north of the 5516 Dundee Road property. Based on
the 2-foot topographic data, the overland flow swale would begin near the property
line between 5516 and 5512 Dundee Road.
There have not been any studies or improvements completed for this area. Considered for study as part of
STS-406, but dropped due to cost.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-3
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text Status notes from 2018 WRMP
5.3.1.4 505, 509, & 513 Tyler
Court (ML_19)
An inundation area is located east of the homes along Tyler Court, south of Maloney
Avenue and west of Arthur Street. Stormwater runoff from a drainage area of
approximately 29 acres discharges into this dry basin. A 24-inch storm sewer system
drains this area. The 24-inch system flows south and west to Arthur Street, then south
to the intersection of Arthur Street and Waterman Avenue. At this intersection, the
pipe flowing east toward Mirror Lakes is reduced to an 18-inch pipe. Due to the
restricted pipe capacity at Arthur Street and Waterman Avenue, flow in the system
draining the dry basin reverses during intense rainfall events such as the 100-year
frequency event, and the basin is inundated. During the 100-year frequency storm
event, the dry basin reaches a flood elevation of 936.6 MSL. This flood elevation is
considerably higher than the low house elevations at 505, 509, and 513 Tyler Court,
surveyed at 932.9 MSL, 933.1 MSL, and 934.07 MSL, respectively. To alleviate a portion
of the flooding problem, it is recommended that the 18-inch pipe flowing east from
the Arthur Street and Waterman Avenue intersection be upgraded to a larger pipe. By
upgrading to a 24-inch pipe, runoff from Waterman Avenue and Arthur Street will not
back up into the dry pond and the 100-year frequency flood elevation of the pond
would decrease to 934.7 MSL. To further alleviate the flooding problem, it will be
necessary to perform a more detailed analysis on the system that drains the backyard
inundation area.
No studies or improvements completed to date. Included as a current flood protection project in Section
5.3.1.1.
5.3.1.5 6009 Leslee Lane (MD_22)
A backyard depression area exists between the properties on the south side of Leslee
Lane and north side of Kaymar Drive. The depression area collects stormwater from a
drainage area of approximately 6.4 acres. A 15-inch storm sewer system extends
southward into the backyard depression area from Leslie Lane, collecting stormwater
from the low area, and continues to the west toward Jeffrey Lane. This system
eventually connects with the Blake Road system at the intersection of Blake Road and
Kaymar Drive. During the 100-year frequency storm event, flow is restricted in the
15-inch system and water pools in the backyard depression area behind 6009 Leslee
Lane. The predicted 100-year frequency flood elevation in this area is 916.7 MSL.
Based on the 2-foot topographic data, it appears that this flood elevation will impact
the structure at 6009 Leslee Lane. To alleviate the backyard flooding and prevent
property damage at 6009 Leslie Lane, it is recommended that the 15-inch pipe draining
the backyard depression and the downstream 18-inch pipe be upgraded to 24-inch
diameter pipes. This would result in a predicted 100-year frequency flood elevation of
915.8 in the backyard depression area.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 5.3.1.2.
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-4
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
5.3.1.6. 5316 Schaefer Road
(MD_28)
A small, 0.5-acre stormwater detention pond is located just northwest of the
intersection of Schaefer Road and Parkwood Road. The outlet to the pond is a 12-inch
system that drains south to Parkwood Road and then east toward Blake Road. During
the peak of the 100-year frequency storm, the flow in the 12-inch system is reversed
and all the stormwater from subwatershed MD_28 and MD_48 flows into the pond. As
the water elevation of the pond increases to an elevation of approximately 938 MSL
during storm events, water will overtop Schaefer Road and flow east through a
drainage swale that leads to another stormwater detention basin. However, before the
flood water from the pond overtops the road, the pond will extend well into the yard
of 5316 Schaefer Road, encroaching upon the structure. The 100-year frequency flood
level of the pond is 939.0 MSL. Although based on the 2-foot topographic data it
appears that the structure at 5316 Schaefer Road will not be affected by a 100-year
rainfall event, it is recommended that an overflow across the road be maintained or
slightly lowered during any future road improvement projects in this area.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 5.3.1.3.
5.3.1.7
Fountain Wood
Apartments (NMN_90 &
NMN_23)
The NMN_90 subwatershed encompasses an area of approximately 3 acres. The
subwatershed includes the townhomes on Wellesley Place north of Vernon Avenue and
a portion of the Fountain Woods apartment complex. The low spot in the watershed is
located in the southwest corner of the Fountain Woods parking lot, near the parking
entrance/exit for buildings 6650 and 6710. During the 100-year frequency storm
event, stormwater pools in this area, reaching a flood elevation of 876.6 MSL. Field
survey data indicates that this flood elevation will impact the two garage entrances for
buildings 6650 and 6710, both recorded at 872.1 MSL.
The Fountain Woods Apartments drainage system is a privately maintained drainage
system. It is recommended that the owners of the apartment complex be notified of
this potential problem and recommend that they may wish to make modifications to
their system to alleviate potential flooding problems.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-5
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Nine Mile Creek-Central
6.3.1.1 6005 & 6009 Crescent
Drive (manhole 457)
Stormwater runoff from subwatershed NMC_110 collects at a low area along Crescent
Drive. Stormwater is collected at two catchbasins located on both sides of the street at
6013 Crescent Drive and flows eastward through an 18-inch storm sewer that connects
with the trunk system that flows south along the SOO Line railroad tracks. During
intense rainstorms, such as the 100-year frequency event, flow through the 18-inch
system is restricted due to high flows entering the larger trunk system from the east.
Due to the restricted flow, water pools in the street along Crescent Drive and
eventually overtops the street and flows eastward between the homes toward a
backyard depression area behind the homes of 6001, 6005, 6009, and 6013 Crescent
Drive. As a result of the overland flow from Crescent Drive, this backyard depression
area becomes inundated. The 100-year frequency flood elevation within this
depression area is 903.0 MSL. This flood elevation is higher than the low house
elevations at 6005 and 6009 Crescent Drive, which were surveyed at 902.2 MSL.
Based on the 2-foot topographic information, it appears that water in the backyard
depression area will drain southward through a ditch along the west side of the
railroad tracks, once it reaches elevation of 902.6 MSL. To alleviate the flooding
potential, it is recommended that a gravity channel be constructed from the
depression area to the ditch along the west side of the railroad tracks at an elevation
lower than the low house elevation of 902.2 MSL. This will allow the depression area to
drain and alleviate flooding at 6005 and 6009 Crescent Drive.
Barr modeled proposed upsizing, but it made very little difference due to high tailwater.
This flood issue was evaluated as part of the 2012 street reconstruction project.
Pipes were upsized in 2012 Countryside Neighborhood Reconstruction (ENG 12-3).
Ponding in the low area along the railroad tracks was reviewed in relation to the Forslin Pond/Birchcrest Pond
analysis conducted prior to the 2017 street reconstruction project. The recommendation stands (but
details/elevations should be re-evaluated, as well as potential downstream impacts).
6.3.1.2
Cherokee Trail & Gleason
Backyard Depression Area
(IP_4)
A backyard depression area exists east of Cherokee Trail, just southwest of the
intersection of Cherokee Trail and Gleason Road. This is currently a land-locked area.
During the 100-year frequency storm event, the flood elevation in this backyard area
reaches 887.8 MSL. This flood elevation is slightly higher than the low house elevation
at 6529 Cherokee Trail, which was surveyed at 887.34 MSL. To alleviate this flooding
problem, it is recommended that a low level outlet be constructed.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-6
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
6.3.1.3 5339 West 64th Street
(NMC_80)
A backyard depression area exists south of West 64th Street and west of Ridgeview
Drive, just east of the SOO Line railroad tracks. Stormwater from the direct
subwatershed (NMC_80) and overflow from West 64th Street collects in the depression
area, where it enters an 18-inch storm sewer system through an intake structure.
During the 100-year frequency storm event, the backyard depression is inundated with
stormwater and the flood elevation rises to 875.7 MSL. This flood elevation is slightly
higher than the low house elevation at 5339 West 64th Street, surveyed at 875.4 MSL.
To alleviate the flooding problem and provide a 100-year level of protection, it is
recommended that the two 18-inch pipes (pipes 293 and 294) that connect the
backyard depression area to the storm sewer system at the intersection of Ridgeview
Drive and Valley Lane be upgraded to 24-inch pipes. This upgrade would result in a
100-year flood elevation of 875.3 MSL, thus lower than the low house elevation at 5339
West 64th Street.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
6.3.1.4
Valley View Road &
Hillside Road (NMC_86,
NMC_120)
The streets and homes in the area around the intersection of Valley View Road and
Hillside Road are situated in a low depression area. Storm sewer in this area collects
the stormwater, which flows southward underneath T.H. 62, and eventually connects
with the SOO Line railroad system and discharges into the North Fork of Nine Mile
Creek. During large rain events, such as the 100-year frequency event, the capacity of
the storm sewer system in this area is inadequate, and this area and the nearby ditch
on the north side of T.H. 62 are inundated with stormwater. The 100-year flood
elevation is 862.0 MSL for subwatersheds NMC_86 and NMC_120. Based on the 2-foot
topographic information, these flood elevations will affect several structures in the
area, including 6309 and 6313 Hillside Road and 6328 Valley View Road.
Flooding problems have historically been encountered in this area. Past analysis of the
problem concluded that no solutions to the problem were feasible. However, the flood
elevations in this area can be decreased by upgrading the 24-inch pipe that spans from
Valley View Road to the north ditch of T.H. 62 (pipe 303p) to a 36-inch pipe. This
would decrease the 100-year frequency flood elevations of NMC_86 and NMC_120 to
859.9 MSL and 860.2 MSL, respectively.
This flood issue was evaluated as part of the 2012 Countryside street reconstruction project. Significant
flooding occurred in this area as a result of the August 30-31, 1977 rainfall event (7+ inches of rainfall in a 4
hour time period), and a detailed analysis was completed following the flooding. At that time, they identified
that the best solution would be for the City to consider purchasing the impacted homes, as options for
remedying the problem through infrastructure improvements were extremely limited. Pipe upgrade options
were evaluated in 2012, but made minimal impacts due to the high tailwater conditions in the MnDOT ROW.
This issue was evaluated again in 2016 for ENG 17-5. Upsizing of existing pipes and installation of parallel
pipes were analyzed and deemed infeasible as part of this project. Existing pipe sizes will be maintained with
current reconstruction project.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-7
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
6.3.1.5
West 66th Street & Naomi
Drive Area (NMC_71,
NMC_103)
Flooding problems have historically been encountered during intense rainstorms at the
low-lying intersection of West 66th Street and Naomi Drive, as well as the in the
backyard depression area in the rear of the homes on the east side of Naomi Drive.
Stormwater overflow from the 66th Street and Naomi Drive intersection flows into the
adjacent Normandale Park storage area (ball field). The intersection and ball field are
eventually drained by a 33-inch trunk storm sewer system that flows northwest to the
low area along Warren Avenue and eventually westward to the North Fork of Nine Mile
Creek. Based on the XP-SWMM analysis, the 100-year flood elevation at the West
66th Street and Naomi Drive intersection (subwatershed NMC_71) and the adjacent
storage area in Normandale Park reaches 864.8 MSL.
The backyard depression area behind the Naomi Drive homes is drained by a 15-inch
culvert that connects to the 15-inch storm sewer flowing north from Circle Drive Pond.
During periods of intense rainfall, the flow in this system backs up, thus flowing
southward into Circle Drive Pond. A flapgate has been installed on the culvert draining
the backyard depression area to prevent backflow from inundating the area. However,
with the flapgate closed, there is no outlet from this area and the backyard storage
volume is not sufficient to prevent flooding of the structures along Naomi Drive. The
100-year frequency flood elevation for this depression area (subwatershed NMC_103)
is 859.6 MSL. This flood elevation is over 2 feet higher than the low house elevation at
6605 Naomi Drive (857.7 MSL) and slightly less than 2 feet above the low house
elevation at 6609 Naomi Drive (857.9 MSL).
This flooding problem has been analyzed in the past and recommendations to alleviate
the flooding were made, in which case some were implemented. However, the
recommendation to add additional outlet capacity to the backyard depression area, via
a pumped outlet to the Normandale Park storage area or a separate gravity system
flowing west to the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek, has not yet been implemented. To
ensure a 100-year level of protection, it is recommended that additional outlet capacity
be provided for this area. If a pumped outlet is installed to drain the backyard area, it
will be necessary to add additional storage capacity in Normandale Park.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 6.3.1.3.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-8
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
6.3.1.6
6712, 6716, 6720
Ridgeview Drive
(NMC_106)
Subwatershed NMC_106 is a 3.3-acre drainage area, characterized by a drainage swale
that extends for nearly 1,200 feet through numerous backyards between Ridgeview
Drive and the SOO Line railroad tracts, flowing southward. The stormwater pools in a
depression area behind 6712, 6716, and 6720 Ridgeview Drive. During large storm
events such as the 100-year frequency rainstorm, this backyard area is inundated. The
100-year frequency flood elevation of this depression area is 845.9 MSL. Based on the
2-foot topographic data, this flood elevation will encroach upon the structures at 6712,
6716, and 6720 Ridgeview Drive. To alleviate this flooding problem, it is recommended
that a gravity storm sewer system be installed that discharges stormwater from the
backyard area to the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 6.3.1.2.
6.3.1.7
6808, 6812, 6816, 6820
Ridgeview Drive
(NMC_107)
A backyard depression area exists at the 6808, 6812, 6816, and 6820 Ridgeview Drive
properties, just east of the SOO Line railroad tracks. The depression area is landlocked
and thus becomes inundated with stormwater during large rainstorm events such as
the 100-year frequency event. Flooding has historically occurred in this area. The
100-year frequency flood elevation in this backyard area is 843.6 MSL. Based on the
2-foot topographic data, this flood elevation will potentially affect structures at 6808,
6812, 6816, and 6820 Ridgeview Drive. To alleviate the flooding conditions in this
backyard depression area, it is recommended that an outlet system be constructed to
flow west and discharge to the floodplain of the North Fork of Nine Mile Creek.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 6.3.1.2.
Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill
7.3.1.1
Swimming Pool Pond
(NC_3)/North Lake
Cornelia (NC_62)
During the design process for the West 66th Street drainage improvements, a detailed
analysis of the storm water system was performed that included the entire Lake
Cornelia drainage area. The system was modeled based on several recommended
improvements, many of which have been since implemented. One recommendation
was to replace the 18-inch RCP pipe and orifice structure between the Swimming Pool
Pond and North Lake Cornelia with a 42-inch equivalent RCP arch pipe. A 20-foot weir
control structure was recommended to be installed at the inlet to this pipe. The
overland flow elevation between these two areas was recommended to be lowered to
863.5 MSL
This flooding area was re-evaluated in 2014-2015. City chose not to move forward because it required the
raising of the 66th Street Causeway as an integral improvement so that risk wasn’t transferred to South
Cornelia.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-9
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
7.3.1.2 Hibiscus Avenue (LE_53,
LE_7, LE_10)
Stormwater runoff from a 48.5-acre subwatershed (LE_53) collects at the intersection of
Hibiscus Avenue and West Shore Drive. Along the south side of this intersection, two
catchbasins connect to the 54-inch storm sewer system that discharges into Lake
Edina. Due to the lack of inlet capacity at this intersection, the stormwater that does
not enter the storm sewer system flows west along Hibiscus Avenue toward the low
area near 4708, 4709, and 4713 Hibiscus Avenue. A separate storm sewer system exists
at this low area along Hibiscus, with two catchbasins on the street to allow water into
the system. This system extends upstream, collecting runoff from the backyard
depression area behind 4708 and 4712 Hibiscus Avenue. During the 100-year
frequency event, the low area in the street becomes inundated with stormwater runoff
from the watersheds directly tributary to this system and from the excess runoff
coming from West Shore Drive (subwatershed LE_53). The street flooding causes the
system to back up and reverse flow into the backyard depression area. The 100-year
flood elevation in the street and in the backyard depression area reaches
approximately 831.1 MSL. This flood elevation has the potential to affect structures at
4704, 4708, 4712, 4716 Hibiscus Avenue on the north side and 4705 Hibiscus on the
south side of the street.
To alleviate this problem and ensure a 100-year level of protection is provided, it is
recommended that a positive overflow drainage way be constructed between the low
area of the street and Lake Edina. This will allow the street to drain and prevent the
system from backing up into the backyard depression area. An option of adding
additional inlet capacity to the trunk 54-inch system at the intersection of West Shore
Drive and Hibiscus Avenue was considered; however, the 54-inch storm sewer system
drains nearly 200 acres in addition to the 48.5 acres from subwatershed LE_53 and is
already at full capacity. Adding additional inlet capacity at the intersection of West
Shore Drive and Hibiscus Avenue would cause additional street flooding problems at
upstream locations.
This flood issue was evaluated as part of the 2013 street reconstruction project.
Pipes were upsized as part of the 2013 Lake Edina Neighborhood Roadway Improvements (ENG 13-4).
7.3.1.3
6312, 6316, 6321,
6329 Tingdale Avenue
(NC_11)
A depression area exists along Tingdale Avenue, between West 63rd and West
64th Streets. Two catchbasins are located at the low portion of the street, collecting
stormwater runoff. During the 100-year frequency storm event, the flood elevation at
this location reaches 936.5 MSL. A field survey determined that this flood elevation
would potentially impact egress windows at 6312 and 6316 Tingdale Avenue
(935.24 MSL and 935.20 MSL, respectively).
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-10
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
7.3.1.4
St. Johns/Ashcroft and
West 64th Street (NC_40,
NC_26)
A low area exists directly north of North Lake Cornelia, encompassing portions of
T.H. 62 and West 64th Street between Ashcroft Lane and St. Johns Avenue. The storm
sewer system in this depression area includes two catchbasins on West 64th Street and
several inlets along T.H. 62, including an inlet in the grassed median of T.H. 62. During
extreme storm events such as the 100-year frequency event, this area is inundated with
stormwater runoff, receiving flows from the subwatersheds directly tributary to the
system, as well as flow not captured by the storm sewer system at the intersection of
Ashcroft and West 64th Street (40 cfs) and excess T.H. 62 flows not collected upstream
(160 cfs). Because of the topography and the slope of the highway at this location,
during intense rainstorm events water from the highway will flow north toward the low
area on West 64th Street. The 100-year frequency flood elevation for the highway and
West 64th Street area is 868.1 MSL. At this flood elevation, the entire stretch of West
64th Street between Ashcroft Lane and St. Johns Avenue will be inundated, in addition
to the highway and backyard area just north of West 64th Street, endangering
structures at 6336 St. Johns Avenue and 6329 Ashcroft Lane.
To alleviate this situation, it is recommended that an additional pipe be installed at the
low point in the T.H. 62 median that would drain to North Lake Cornelia. A 24-inch
pipe would decrease the 100-year frequency flood elevation of this depression area to
867.7 MSL and alleviate the flooding concerns for 6336 St. Johns Avenue and 6329
Ashcroft Lane.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project. Will consider the improvement if
HWY 62 is rebuilt.
7.3.1.5
Barrie Road and Heritage
Drive (NC_86, NC_97,
NC_99)
A depression area exists at the intersection of Barrie Road and Heritage Drive and
extends south of the intersection along Barrie Road to West 65th Street. Stormwater
from this area is collected by storm sewer and flows northward, eventually connecting
with the T.H. 62 system. During large storm events, this large depression area is
inundated, causing street and parking lot flooding. The calculated flood elevation for
the 100-year frequency storm event is 879.8 MSL. The low elevations of several
properties in this area were surveyed to determine if this flood level would encroach
upon and potentially cause damage to any structures. The field survey identified only
one property at 6328 Barrie Road with a 878.6 MSL walkout patio elevation, with a low
elevation below the 100-year frequency flood level.
The analysis of this system determined that the flooding problem in this area results
from lack of capacity of the T.H. 62 system. As large stormwater flows enter the T.H. 62
storm sewer system from the highway, flow into that system from Barrie Road and
Heritage Drive is restricted. To alleviate this problem, it will be necessary to re-
examine the capacity of the T.H. 62 storm sewer system.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-11
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
7.3.1.6 York Avenue and West
64th Street (NC_88)
A stormwater detention basin is located southeast of the intersection of York Avenue
and West 64th Street. This basin has two pumped outlets, one which discharges to the
west and one that discharges to the east. The outlet to the west is controlled by two
pumps, each with an approximate pumping rate of 500 gpm (1.1 cfs). For the XP-
SWMM model, it was assumed that the first pump on the west side turns on as the
water elevation reaches 863 MSL, with the second pump turning on at water elevation
864 MSL. It was assumed the pumps turn off at water elevation 862 MSL. The pumped
discharge flows west through a forcemain and connects to the gravity system along
Barrie Road. The outlet to the east is also controlled by two 500 gpm pumps. Similar
to the west outlet, it was assumed that the first pump on the east side turns on as the
water elevation reaches 863 MSL, with the second on at elevation 864 MSL and both
pumps off when the water level recedes to 862 MSL. Discharge from this outlet flows
south along Xerxes Avenue, eventually connecting into the West 66th Street system.
The predicted 100-year flood elevation for this detention basin is 870.9 MSL. Based on
the 2-foot topographic information, if flood waters reach this elevation the structure at
6415 York Avenue would be affected and potentially the structure at 6455 York
Avenue. To prevent these structures from incurring flood damage, the pump capacity
from the system should be increased. It is recommended that the capacity of both the
east and west lift stations be upgraded to 1500 gpm (approximately 3 cfs) each. It is
also recommended that the pumps turn on at water elevation 862.5 and off at
861.5 MSL. With implementation of these recommendations, the predicted 100-year
frequency flood elevation is 870 MSL, providing a level of protection for these
structures.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project.
7.3.1.7 T.H. 62 at France Avenue
(NC_132)
The modeling results indicated that isolated flooding would occur along T.H. 62 during
a 100-year frequency storm event. Specifically, flooding would occur on T.H. 62 near
the France Avenue crossing. The 100-year frequency flood elevation of this area is
873.2 MSL. To correct this problem, it will be necessary to re-examine the capacity of
the T.H. 62 storm sewer system.
Adjacent areas were evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014). Although flooding in this
subwatershed was not specifically addressed, improvement alternatives proposed in STS-406 may also reduce
the flood elevation in NC_132. No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project.
7.3.1.8 Parnell Avenue and Valley
View Road (NC_135)
A backyard depression area exists between the blocks of Ryan Avenue and Parnell
Avenue, just south of Valley View Road. The backyard depression area collects
stormwater from its direct subwatershed of approximately 3 acres. The area is
currently not connected to the storm sewer system. The predicted 100-year frequency
flood elevation for this area is 910.2 MSL. Based on the 2-foot topographic data, this
flood elevation would potentially impact the structures at 4801 and 4809 Valley View
Road and 6112 Parnell Avenue.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-12
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Nine Mile Creek-South
8.3.1.1 7001 & 7025 France
Avenue (CL_51)
A depression area exists at the properties of 7001 and 7025 France Avenue. The
depression area is drained by an 18-inch storm sewer pipe that connects into the trunk
system along France Avenue. During intense storm events, such as the 100-year
frequency storm, high flows through the France Avenue trunk system restrict the
drainage from the depression area and the area becomes inundated with stormwater.
The 100-year frequency flood elevation for this depression area is 862.6 MSL. Flooding
problems have been historically noted in this area. A flapgate was added to the
collection pipe at this area to prevent the France Avenue system from backing up and
causing further inundation. However, with the flapgate closed, there is no outlet from
this area and the storage volume in the parking lot is not sufficient to prevent flooding
of the structures. Prior to construction of the bank currently located on this property,
the property owner was informed of the flooding potential. No recommendations to
alleviate the flooding are being made at this time.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-13
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Nine Mile South Fork
9.3.1.1 6309 Post Lane (AH_31)
A depression area exists in the backyard area of 6309 Post Lane. The depression area
receives stormwater from a direct watershed of 1.7 acres. Stormwater collected in the
depression area enters a 30-inch storm sewer system through a catchbasin located at
the low point of the backyard. Upstream of the backyard depression area, the 30-inch
system receives stormwater from the T.H. 62 and T.H. 169 interchange and discharge
from the Arrowhead Pointe pond (AH_4). During intense rain storms, such as the
100-year frequency event, the capacity of the 30-inch system is limited from upstream
drainage, preventing the backyard area from being drained. Under current conditions,
the 100-year frequency flood elevation in the backyard depression area is 883.4 MSL.
This flood elevation is above the low entry of the home at 6309 Post Lane, surveyed at
880.6 MSL.
To alleviate the flooding of the backyard area, it is necessary to restrict the flow in the
30-inch system from upstream drainage areas during the time period of the backyard
inundation. Currently, stormwater from the T.H. 62 and T.H. 169 interchange is
collected in a series of ditches and enters the 30-inch storm sewer system through a
flared end section on the north side of T.H. 62 (subwatershed AH_25) and a
catchbasin/manhole inlet on the southeast side of the interchange (subwatershed
AH_29). To retard the flow in the 30-inch system during the time period of the
backyard inundation, it is recommended that a control structure be installed at the
catchbasin/manhole inlet in the ditch southeast of the T.H. 62 and T.H. 169 interchange
(node AH_29). The control structure should consist of a 6-inch orifice at elevation
882 MSL to allow low flows through during smaller storm events and to allow the
ditches to completely drain. A 6-foot weir at elevation 887 MSL will restrict high flows
through the system during the time period of the backyard inundation and take
advantage of available temporary storage in the highway ditches.
In addition, it is recommended that the control structure from the Arrowhead Pointe
pond (AH_4) be modified to restrict flow from the pond during the time period of the
backyard inundation. It is recommended that the control structure consist of a 4-inch
diameter orifice at elevation 884 MSL and a 6-foot weir at elevation 887 MSL. With
implementation of these recommendations, the resulting 100-year frequency flood
elevation in the backyard depression area is 880.5 MSL, below the low entry elevation
at 6309 Post Lane.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
9.3.1.2 Braemar Golf Course
(NMSB_62)
The predicted 100-year flood elevation of the NMSB_62 watershed is 840.9 MSL.
Based on the 6-foot topographic information from the City, it appears that this flood
level will impact the Executive Course clubhouse at the Braemar Golf Course.
Anecdotal information suggests this structure has been affected by flood waters in the
past.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Recent improvements
have been constructed at Braemar Golf Course, including significant re-grading. The NMCWD or City models
have not been revised to reflect the updated grading at Braemar.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-14
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
9.3.1.3
Paiute Pass & Sally Lane
Intersection (NMSB_83,
NMSB_84)
The storm sewer system at the Paiute Pass and Sally Lane intersection collects
stormwater from a total drainage area of approximately 27 acres. The system
discharges into the Braemar Branch, west of Sally Lane, via two 24-inch pipes. During
the 10-year and 100-year storm events, the Paiute Pass/Sally Lane intersection is
inundated with stormwater and ponding occurs. Based on topographic information
from the City, ponding will occur in this intersection to Elevation 863.6 MSL. As water
levels rise higher than this, water will begin to encroach upon the homes west of Sally
Lane (7000, 7004, 7008 Sally Lane) and eventually flow to the Braemar Ditch via
overland flow. It is recommended that the topography of this area be examined in
further detail and a controlled positive overflow path be constructed between the
homes if necessary to ensure the homes are protected from flood waters.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014). Barr worked with the City’s consultant in
evaluating options for storm sewer modifications as part of the local street reconstruction project in the
summer/fall of 2014 to address some of the recommendations from STS-406. New storm sewer was installed
in 2015.
Included as a current flood protection project in Section 9.3.1.2.
9.3.1.4
7009 & 7013 Sally Lane
Backyard Depression Area
(NMSB_70)
A backyard depression area exists behind the homes along Sally Lane and Paiute Pass.
A 12-inch piped outlet exists from this area, draining northward and connecting to the
system along Paiute Pass. During the 100-year storm event, the predicted flood
elevation reaches 864.5 MSL, assuming an overland flow channel from this area. Based
on topographic information from the City, this flood elevation encroaches upon the
homes at 7009 and 7013 Sally Lane. It is recommended that the topography of this
area be further examined to determine the elevation at which the flooded area will
drain west toward Sally Lane via overland flow. If necessary, a controlled positive
overflow should be constructed between the homes to prevent flood water from
damaging the structures.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014). Barr worked with WSB in evaluating
options for modifications to the storm sewer in this area (specifically NMSB_70) in the summer/fall of 2014.
Pipes were upsized in 2015 Valley View Road Improvements.
Southwest Ponds
10.3.1.1 7411 Coventry Way
(SWP_14)
A small stormwater pond is located in the backyard of 7411 Coventry Way. The small
stormwater pond outlets to a larger pond located directly east, across Delaney
Boulevard (SWP_5) through a 15-inch storm sewer system. During extreme storm
events, such as the 100-year frequency event, the flood elevation of the larger pond
east of Delaney Boulevard increases and flow reverses in the 15-inch system
connecting the two ponds, equalizing the ponds. The 100-year frequency flood
elevation for both ponds (SWP_14 and SWP_5) is 833.6 MSL. Based on the 2-foot
topographic data, this flood elevation would affect the structure at 7411 Coventry Way.
To prevent flooding at 7411 Coventry Way, it is recommended that a flapgate be
installed at the outlet of the small pond to prevent backflow from the larger pond.
With installation of a flapgate, the 100-year frequency flood elevation of the small
pond is 830.6 MSL.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project. Programmed for future CIP.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-15
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
10.3.1.2 7317 Cahill Road (SWP_46)
A low depression area exists along Cahill Road just north of the Cahill and Dewey Hill
Road intersection and extends eastward into the parking lot of 7317 Cahill Road.
During intense rainfall events, such as the 100-year frequency storm, this low area
becomes inundated. The 100-year frequency flood elevation in this area is 833.8 MSL.
Based on the 2-foot topographic data, this flood elevation will impact the structure at
7317 Cahill Road. However, because the flood elevations of the two stormwater ponds
in Lewis Park north of Dewey Hill Road (SWP_35 and SWP_34) and the stormwater
pond on the south side of Dewey Hill Road (SWP_5) are nearly as high, options to
reduce the flooding of the road and parking lot of 7317 Cahill Road are limited. It is
recommended that options to lower the flood elevation of this area be further
investigated as road improvement projects are planned in the area in the future.
This area (FilmTech) was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project.
10.3.1.3 7709 Stonewood Court
(NM494_4)
A stormwater pond is located northeast of the Stonewood Court and Gleason Road
intersection. The basin is drained by a 12-inch storm sewer pipe with a negative slope
that acts as an inlet and an outlet, depending upon the water level in the pond. The
water level of the pond is controlled by the pipe invert downstream of the outlet on
the west side of Gleason Road at Elevation 828.1 MSL. If the water level in the pond is
below 828.1 MSL, the storm sewer system that collects stormwater from Tanglewood
Court and Gleason Road discharges to the pond. If the water elevation is higher than
828.1 MSL, discharge from the stormwater pond will combine with stormwater from
the Tanglewood Court and Gleason Road system and will continue flowing southward
towards the South Fork of Nine Mile Creek.
During the 100-year frequency storm event, the flood elevation of this stormwater
pond reaches 832.5 MSL. Based on a field survey, this flood elevation will impact the
structure at 7723 Stonewood Court (low house elevation of 831.97 MSL). To protect
this structure from the 100-year flood elevation, it is recommended that the capacity of
the downstream storm sewer system along Stonewood Court be increased. Based on
modeling results, increasing the size of pipes 1011p and 1012p from 12-inch diameter
to 24-inch diameter will reduce the 100-year flood elevation of the stormwater pond to
831.81 MSL, slightly below the low house elevation.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Programmed for future
CIP.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-16
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Northeast Minnehaha Creek
12.3.1.1
4000 West 42nd Street
and 4100, 4104, and
4108 France Avenue
(MS_40)
A large portion of the Morningside watershed discharges to a pond located on the east
side of Weber Park (Weber Park Pond). This pond was designed to provide protection
for a 50-year storm. The City’s 2004 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan
identified the potential for flooding of properties adjacent to the pond, which was
confirmed during a significant rainfall event that occurred in 2005. In 2006, the City
completed a Feasibility Analysis to assess the flooding problem and evaluate options
to minimize the flooding potential. Results of the 2006 analysis indicate that the
predicted high water elevations in the Weber Park Pond for a 50-year and 100-year
frequency flood event, based on existing conditions, are 868.6 ft MSL and 869.0 ft MSL,
respectively. A field survey completed at the time indicates that the low entry
elevations of four homes adjacent to the pond are at or below the predicted 100-year
high water elevation, including 4000 West 42nd Street, 4100 France Avenue, 4104
France Avenue, and 4108 France Avenue.
Based on the feasibility study completed, it was determined that the options to
alleviate the flooding potential for the homes adjacent to the Weber Park pond are
limited due to constraints in the downstream storm sewer system. Adding additional
storage volume to the Weber Park pond would reduce the 100-year flood elevation of
the pond to approximately 868.5 ft MSL. However, this flood elevation is still at or
above the low entry elevation of three of the homes adjacent to the pond. An
additional downstream capacity of 80 cfs would be required to alleviate the flooding at
all adjacent properties under existing pond conditions, which is an expensive option.
Should the City of Minneapolis update their storm sewer system in this area in the
future, Edina will consider working with the City of Minneapolis to incorporate
upgrades sufficient to provide additional capacity for the Morningside area drainage.
The most cost effective option to upgrade to a 100-year level of protection for the
homes currently below the 100-year flood level (4100, 4104, and 4108 France Avenue)
would be to floodproof the affected homes and installation of a pumping station to
drain stormwater runoff from the backyard area of the affected properties during
significant storm events.
This area was evaluated in detail as part of the 2017 CWRMP Update. Included as a current flood protection
project in Section 12.3.1.3.
12.3.1.2 4308 France Avenue
(MS_17)
The low area in the backyard of 4308 France Avenue is inundated to an elevation of
902.5 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm. The results of a field survey indicate
that this water level will potentially impact the house located at 4308 France Avenue.
To protect the structure at 4308 France Avenue, it is recommended that in this
depression area a catch basin be located and connected to the storm sewer system at
the intersection of Scott Terrace and West 42nd Street.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvement projects have been completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-17
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
12.3.1.3
4300, 4214, and
4212 Branson Street
(MS_3)
A depression in the backyard of 4300, 4214, and 4212 Branson Street is inundated to
an elevation of 900.6 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm event. At this elevation
structures will be affected at 4300, 4214 and 4212 Branson Street. A 15-inch storm
sewer originating at Branson Street flows north and connects to the pipe system on
Morningside Street. It is recommended that a catch basin be placed in the backyard
depression area and pipe 955 upgraded to 24-inch diameter. This will reduce the
100-year frequency storm elevation to 899.5 MSL and protect the structures at 4300,
4214, and 4212 Branson Street.
This area was evaluated in detail as part of the 2017 CWRMP Update. Included as a current flood protection
project in Section 12.3.1.6.
12.3.1.4 4140 and 4150 West
44th Street (MS_7)
A depression in the backyard of 4140 and 4150 West 44th Street is inundated to
900.6 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm as a result of runoff from its tributary
watershed area. In addition, the storm sewer system on West 44th Street surcharges
during the 100-year frequency storm and as a result, water flows from West 44th Street
and into the backyard depression area.
The addition of a catch basin to the backyard of 4140 and 4150 West 44th Street with a
connection to the pipe system on West 44th Street was evaluated, but this alternative
would require that the entire pipe system along West 44th Street and Morningside
Avenue be upgraded. It is recommended that the storage capacity of this backyard
area be increased by 1.4 acre-feet to an elevation of 899.3 MSL to protect the structure
at 4140 and 4150 West 44th Street. This additional storage capacity can be achieved by
lowering the depth of the backyard depression area by approximately 2 feet.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. Included as a current flood
protection project in Section 12.3.1.6.
12.3.1.5 Arden Avenue (MHN_14)
Storm sewer improvements made in 2000 on Bridge Street, Sunny Side Road, and
Arden Avenue were designed to reduce the potential for flooding at the low area on
Arden Avenue just south of Bridge Street. The high water elevation of the 100-year
frequency storm was 884.6 MSL, indicating that during a 100-year storm event the
storm sewer improvements would protect the houses on Arden Avenue with the
exception of the low house at 4611 Arden Avenue.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
15.2.2.1
White Oaks Landlocked
Area (MHN_1, MHN_49,
MHN_12, MHN_65)
The MCWD Plan identified a landlocked area located in the northeast portion of the
city, generally south of Sunnyside Road and north of West 49th Street, east of Arden
Avenue and west of France Avenue. To assess the flood potential in this landlocked
area, the 100-year, 10-day snowmelt event was simulated in XP-SWMM, assuming
impervious (frozen ground) conditions. Comparison of the modeling results with the
City’s 2-foot topographic information indicates that there is potential for the 100-year
high water levels to impact structures in the following subwatersheds: MHN_1,
MHN_49, MHN_12, MHN_65. To assess the potential for flooding, the City will
complete a field survey to determine the low entry elevations of the potentially
impacted structures and a detailed feasibility study to identify remedial measures, if
necessary.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
No improvements have been completed for this flood protection project.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-18
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Southeast Minnehaha Creek
13.3.1.1 6213 Ewing Avenue
(LP_15)
A depression area on the street adjacent to 6213 Ewing Avenue collects water from a
3.8-acre watershed. The 100-year frequency flood elevation of 884.3 MSL will
potentially impact the structure at 6213 Ewing Avenue. It is recommended that the
diameters of pipes 1696 and 1695 be increased to 18-inches to provide a 100-year
level of protection.
This issue was evaluated in 2015 for ENG 16-3. Upsizing existing pipes was deemed infeasible as part of this
project.
13.3.1.2 3600 West Fuller Street
(MHS_4)
The 100-year frequency flood elevation for the backyard depression area directly
behind 3600 West Fuller Street is 875.4 MSL. A field survey indicates this elevation is
above the low entry (872.6 MSL) at 3600 West Fuller Street. It is recommended that a
catch basin be placed in the backyard depression and connected to a new storm sewer
system installed east along Fuller Street and south along Beard Avenue to Minnehaha
Creek. An existing bituminous drainage channel between Beard Avenue and
Minnehaha Creek at this location appears to be a potential access point to Minnehaha
Creek for the new pipe. The addition of a pipe system and catch basins extending
from Fuller Street to Beard Avenue and then to Minnehaha Creek would provide the
additional benefit of handling the significant street flows that occur on Fuller Street
and Beard Avenue.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-19
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
13.3.1.3
5605, 5609, 5613, 5617, 5621, 5625, and 5629 South Beard Avenue (MHS_79)
Water in the alley between Abbott and Beard Avenue and south of West 56th Street
rises to an elevation of 880.1 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm and affects the
garages in this alley. This is the result of water flowing from West 56th Street to the
alley and the limited flow in the pipe leading from the alley to the storm sewer system
located on Beard Avenue. Currently the storm sewer system on Beard Avenue does
not provide a 10-year level of service and is significantly undersized for the 100-year
storm. At the intersection of Beard and West 56th Street, street flow on Beard Avenue
reaches a peak of 97 cfs during the 100-year storm while the pipe carries only a peak
flow of only 4.7 cfs. The street flow then flows on Beard Avenue to Minnehaha Creek.
The following pipe sizes are recommended to protect the structures in the alley during
a 100-year storm:
Pipe 1851p ................................. 12 to 24-inch
Pipe 1852p ................................. 12 to 24-inch
Pipe 1156 ................................... 12 to 24-inch
Pipe 1159 ................................... 27 to 36-inch
Pipe 1158 ................................... 27 to 36-inch
Pipe 1152 ................................... 33 to 36-inch
Pipe 1153 ................................... 15 to 36-inch
An additional catch basin is also required at the low point in the alley. To collect runoff
along West 56th Street before it enters the alley, an additional catch basin is
recommended on the south side of West 56th Street, east of the alley entrance. These
recommendations are not designed to reduce the large street flows that are present on
Beard Avenue during the 100-year storm. Further pipe size increases of the entire
system and the addition of catch basins would be required to significantly reduce the
flow of water along Beard Avenue.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
13.3.1.4 5837, 5833, 5829,
5825 South Chowen
Avenue (LP_24)
A backyard depression area directly behind 5829 South Chowen Avenue is inundated
to an elevation of 884.6 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm and affects the
structures at 5837 5833, 5829, and 5825 South Chowen Avenue. It is recommended
that a catch basin be placed in the backyard depression area and connected with a
12-inch RCP to the storm sewer node LP_27 located at the intersection of South
Chowen Avenue and West 60th Street.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (2013-2014).
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area. There is potential for this
to be addressed in future neighborhood roadway construction.
13.3.1.5 Chowen Avenue and West 60th Street (LP_27)
A 100-year frequency flood elevation of 883.9 MSL has been calculated at the
intersection of Chowen Avenue and West 60th Street. Although the model shows that
there is the potential for significant flooding in this intersection, a thorough survey of
the storm sewers and structures in this area needs to be completed to verify their size,
invert elevations, and low point of entry.
This area was evaluated as part of the STS-406 project (Part 1) in 2013-2014.
Issue was re-evaluated in 2015 for ENG 16-3. Upsizing existing pipes along Chowen and 61st was analyzed
and deemed infeasible. It was determined this could be solved by additional pipes along 60th and France to
Pamela Park as part of future street reconstruction or stand-alone storm project.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-20
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
13.3.1.6
5912, 5916, 5920, 5924, 5928 Ashcroft Avenue and 5925 Concord Avenue (MHS_51)
Water in the backyard depression area of subwatershed MHS_51 will rise to 882.9 MSL
during the 100-year frequency storm event. This flood elevation will inundate several
of the houses adjacent to the depression. Water frequently ponds in this backyard
depression area and either a pumped or gravity outlet from this area with a 3 cfs
capacity is required to provide a level of protection.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
13.3.1.7 5840 and 5836 Ashcroft Avenue (MHS_89)
The houses at 5840 and 5836 Ashcroft Avenue are located in a shallow depression area
that fills with water from a small 0.7-- directly adjacent watershed. The calculated
100-year frequency flood elevation of 884 MSL will inundate the structures at 5840 and
5836 Ashcroft Avenue. It is recommended that a catch basin be placed at this
depression and connected to the adjacent storm sewer system on Concord Avenue
(node MHS_58). This outflow capacity will reduce the flood elevation to 883 MSL and
provide the required level of protection for these structures.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
13.3.1.8
5609 and 5605 Dalrymple Road (MHS_24) and 5610 and 5612 St. Andrews Avenue (MHS_66)
The calculated 100-year frequency flood elevation for the depression on Dalrymple
Road is 895.3 MSL. This flood elevation is above the lowest entry way for both 5609
(low entry at 893.4 MSL) and 5605 (low entry at 893.25) Dalrymple Road. A field survey
of the area indicates that a surface outflow existed between Dalrymple Road and the
backyard area of subwatershed MHS_66 but has been filled. It is recommended that
either this outflow be reestablished or pipes 1784 and 1240 be upgraded to 24-inch
diameter pipes.
The backyard depression area of MHS_66 is inundated to 894.8 MSL during the
100-year frequency flood. This elevation is above the elevation (894.46 MSL) of a back
yard entry to 5610 Andrews Avenue, the basement windowsill (891.44 MSL) at 5612
Andrews Avenue, and the basement windowsill (893.53 MSL) at 5608 Andrews Avenue.
It is recommended that a surface outflow be established between the backyard
depression area and St. Andrews Avenue or pipes 1784 and 1240 be upgraded to
24-inch diameter pipes.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
13.3.1.9 5701 Dale Avenue (ML_12)
A depression on Dale Avenue, directly adjacent to 5701 Dale Avenue, is inundated to an elevation of 935.8 MSL during the 100-year frequency storm event. According to a field survey, the low entry way at 5701 Dale Avenue is at an elevation of 935.5 MSL, indicating that the storm sewer system on Dale Avenue does not provide a level of protection for the structure at 5701 Dale Avenue during the 100-year frequency storm event. It is recommended that the diameter of pipes 1 and 1826 be increased to 24 inches to protect the structure at 5701 Dale Avenue from flooding.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this area.
13.3.1.10 5213 and 5217 Richwood Drive (ML_7)
A wetland area behind 5213 and 5217 Richwood Drive receives runoff from a 3-acre watershed. This wetland receives water from backyard areas, rooftops, and a small section of Windsor Avenue. During the 100-year frequency storm event the water level in this wetland rises to 928.6 MSL. This water level is above the elevation of the low entry for 5213 and 5217 Richwood Drive. It is recommended that the storage capacity of this wetland area be surveyed and the flooding potential be further evaluated.
This area was evaluated in preparation for the 2012 Richmond Hills Park Neighborhood Improvements. New
storm sewer installed in 2012.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina C-21
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Title 2011 CWRMP Text
Northwest Minnehaha Creek
14.3.1.1 Interlachen Landlocked
Area
The MCWD Plan identified a landlocked area located west of T.H. 100 and north of
Vernon Avenue. This area, which encompasses subwatersheds EI_11, EI_12, EI_24,
EI_13, and EI_19, currently drains to a wetland complex (EI_19) just south of
Meadowbrook Golf Course. Two-foot topographic information for the area indicates
that the natural overflow elevation between the landlocked wetland complex and the
Meadowbrook Golf Course is approximately 885 feet M.S.L. Based on the FEMA Flood
Insurance Study for Hennepin County (FEMA, 2004), the 100-year flood level of
Minnehaha Creek as it flows through the golf course is 892 feet M.S.L.
The maximum flood elevation that the City will allow in the wetland area (EI_19) is 888
feet M.S.L. To prevent the backflow of water from the Meadowbrook Golf Course to
the wetland complex (EI_19), it is recommended that an embankment be
constructed/raised between the wetland and the golf course to an elevation of at least
892 feet M.S.L. Upon raising the embankment, a pumped outlet will be required to
keep the flood elevation below 888 feet M.S.L. The City should establish a
management plan to address necessary pumping scenarios. Previous analyses for the
area indicate a 1 cfs pumped outlet would be sufficient.
There have not been any studies or improvement projects completed for this flood protection project.
Status notes from 2018 WRMP
City of Edina 2022 Water Resources Management Plan
Appendix C List of Potential Pond Improvements
Barr Engineering Co. 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan: City of Edina D-1
List of Pond Improvement Recommendations
2011 CWRMP
Plan Section Project Name/Location Proposed Improvement
Nine Mile Creek-North
5.3.2.1 Pond MD_15 (Sun Road) Provide additional 0.3 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
5.3.2.2 Pond NMN_27 (Northeast of TH 62 and TH 169) Provide additional 1.4 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
5.3.2.3 Pond NMN_24 (Between Waterford Ct and Habitat Ct) Increase pond depth.
5.3.2.4 Pond NMN_49 (West of 5521 Malibu Drive) Provide additional 0.2 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
5.3.2.5 Pond MD_3 (Bredesen Park, east of parking area) Excavate to remove accumulated sediment.
Lake Cornelia/Lake Edina/Adam’s Hill
7.3.2.1 Pond LE_38 (West of Lake Edina) Provide additional 1.4 acre-feet of dead storage volume within MnDOT right-of-way
Nine Mile Creek-South
8.3.2.1 Subwatershed NMS_1 (Southwest quadrant of the TH 100 and West 77th Street interchange) Construct water quality basin.
8.3.2.2 Pond NMS_76 (Fred Richards Golf Course) Provide additional 2.5 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
8.3.2.3 Pond NMS_104 (Fred Richards Golf Course) Provide additional 0.2 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
8.3.2.4 Ponds NMS_72, NMS_74 (Fred Richards Golf Course) Increase pond depths.
8.3.2.5 Pond SP_1 (Border Basin - West of Minnesota Drive and West 77th St) Provide additional 21.5 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
Nine Mile South Fork
9.3.2.1 Ponds NMSB_3, NMSB_2 (Braemar Golf Course) Provide additional 1.2 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
9.3.2.2 Pond NMSB_12 (Braemar Golf Course) Regular maintenance.
9.3.2.3 Pond NMSB_86 (Braemar Golf Course) Provide additional 0.15 acre-feet of dead storage volume.
9.3.2.4 Pond NMSB_7 (Braemar Golf Course) Increase pond depth.
9.3.2.5 Pond NMSB_85 (Braemar Golf Course) Provide additional 1.2 acre-feet of dead storage volume.