Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project

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This project has been completed and this project page will no longer be updated. Please contact staff with any questions or comments. Thank you.

The Morningside Neighborhood has several low and landlocked areas prone to flooding. Climate change has already increased the risk of flooding and will continue to do so. This project helps the community be more resilient to flooding. Project benefits are balanced across the neighborhood and there is no increase in risk to any property.

Ponds, pipes and a surface swale will be used to safely move and store floodwaters. An expanded pipe and swale will provide overflow from the Lynn/Kipling inundation area and the Grimes Avenue low point, and an expanded and reconfigured pipe network and minor grade changes will move water away from homes. Weber Pond and the Lynn/Kipling Pond will be expanded and lowered. About six acres of trees will be removed in Weber Woods to accommodate the larger ponds.

The flood infrastructure project also includes:

  • Natural resources restoration in upland areas.
  • Nature trails and bridge crossings at two locations at Weber Park.
  • Improved pedestrian access to the park with some ADA-compliant paths in Weber Park.
  • Rebuilt sports fields in impacted areas with new turf and irrigation systems.

The flood infrastructure project coincides with planned roadway reconstruction in the neighborhood in 2022 and 2023.

The Morningside Neighborhood has several low and landlocked areas prone to flooding. Climate change has already increased the risk of flooding and will continue to do so. This project helps the community be more resilient to flooding. Project benefits are balanced across the neighborhood and there is no increase in risk to any property.

Ponds, pipes and a surface swale will be used to safely move and store floodwaters. An expanded pipe and swale will provide overflow from the Lynn/Kipling inundation area and the Grimes Avenue low point, and an expanded and reconfigured pipe network and minor grade changes will move water away from homes. Weber Pond and the Lynn/Kipling Pond will be expanded and lowered. About six acres of trees will be removed in Weber Woods to accommodate the larger ponds.

The flood infrastructure project also includes:

  • Natural resources restoration in upland areas.
  • Nature trails and bridge crossings at two locations at Weber Park.
  • Improved pedestrian access to the park with some ADA-compliant paths in Weber Park.
  • Rebuilt sports fields in impacted areas with new turf and irrigation systems.

The flood infrastructure project coincides with planned roadway reconstruction in the neighborhood in 2022 and 2023.

This project has been completed and this project page will no longer be updated. Please contact staff with any questions or comments. Thank you.

  • 'Native Plants Live Here' signs

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    We'll be installing signs to mark the boundary of the native restoration areas adjacent to private property.

    Native Plants Live Here! sign installed at Braemar Golf Course


  • Planting update

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    Tree, shrub, and perennial planting is complete until fall, when a few more trees and the swale will be planted. There's still a bit of seeding to do where construction has gone on, and the roadway along Lynn/Kipling will get cleaned up and reseeded later. Maintenance and watering of the restoration areas is going on now through the fall. At the end of August, we will inspect all the plantings and flag those that will need to be replaced.

  • Bird's-eye view from July 2023

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    Here's a bird's-eye view of the pond from late July. The water levels are low in the photo after several days of pumping the level down so that a water level sensor could be installed in the pump station.

    Weber Pond, July 2023

  • Severe Drought Conditions in Hennepin County

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    The U.S. Drought Monitor releases weekly updates. As of yesterday's map, Hennepin County is in severe drought. During severe drought landscaping can become stressed. The contractor has been watering the plantings. Remember that the plantings are under warranty – it’s in the contractor’s interest to keep them healthy.

  • Water level drawdown

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    We’re starting up the pump at Weber Pond. We’re drawing it down for installation of a water level sensor in the pump station next week. After installation is completed and the pump is turned off, the water level should slowly return to normal over the next few weeks. We’ll take advantage of the lowered water level and get some wetland fringe seeding in.

  • Restoration graphic - what to expect

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  • Restoration Cycle

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    There is a lot to look forward to as plants grow. Native restorations can take up to three years to establish and reach their full beauty. Think of the longstanding gardening quote:

    Year one, they sleep...

    The surface may look patchy, but underground these native plants are building massive root systems that stabilize and improve the health of the soil.

    Year two, they creep...

    Plans begin to fill in above ground. Most of the energy is spent growing in size and deepening roots, but some will begin to bloom.

    Year three, they leap!

    Native vegetation becomes established and fills in the landscape. Plants reach mature sizes and blooms are more common.

    Braemar Academy 9 Golf Course buffer in July 2017, in year two of establishment.

  • Watering plan

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    It's dry out there!

    The contractor has been watering with a watering truck daily, getting around to all the plantings over the course of about a week. They are also working on a plan to mobilize some temporary irrigation.

    Plants are stressed from getting planted as well as the heat and drought conditions. They may look better in the mornings and more stressed during the heat of the afternoons. Some of the trees that were bare root were dormant when planted. Let’s not count these trees out until we see how they look next spring. Also, some plant mortality is expected– it’s a reality of the work even in years with normal precipitation that not everything will survive. We increased the quantity during planning to account for this.

    Lastly, the plantings are under warranty – it’s in the contractor’s interest to keep them healthy.

  • Moderate Drought Conditions

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    The Twin Cities is experiencing moderate drought conditions. May and June have been very dry, so dry in fact, that between May 15-June 14 the Twin Cities only received 0.26-inches of rain, making it the driest mid-May to mid-June on record. June is typically the wettest month for the Twin Cities, however, as of last week the Twin Cities has only received 0.09 inches of rain which is 2.08 inches below normal to date.

  • Watering

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    One of the many benefits of native and climate-adaptive plants is they can withstand Minnesota weather patterns, including dry spells. When these plants are established they won't need additional water; however, during this first year we'll be watering to give them a little boost. Plants get watered as they are planted and are being watered periodically after that.

    All the bare root trees have been planted. Planting of container trees is in progress. Ball and burlap tree planting and plug planting are expected to start in the next couple of weeks.