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.

  • Buckthorn removal

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    Over the next few weeks contractors will be working around trees to remove the remaining buckthorn in the park and the Lynn/Kipling inundation area from the ungraded areas.

  • Pond edge plan

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    • Clean-up of invasive species including buckthorn and removing piles of debris will occur to allow for seeding and planting. Some fallen trees will be intentionally left in place to provide habitat.

    • A wetland plant mix has been hand seeded all the way around the pond edge. You can expect to see some cover crop soon – an early annual to help stabilize soils while the perennials grow in. The contractor will return several times throughout the growing season to control weeds with herbicide.

    • Property corners have been marked with wooden stakes to mark locations for installation of permanent posts with small placards designating the public land as a restoration area. These will mark the property boundary and restoration extent for the contractors.

    • Areas that have established turf will not be transitioned to native plants.

    • The vegetation on publicly owned property is protected in city code chapter 24, article VII. No person shall pick, cut, or remove trees, shrubs or plants on publicly owned property.


  • Weed control this week and/or next week

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    Herbicide to control weeds is planned for later this week or early next week. People and pets should keep out of the sprayed areas. Areas treated with herbicide will be marked with bright yellow utility flags.

  • Bare root trees going in

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    Planting of bare root trees is well underway.

    These trees are dormant when planted so it's typical for it to take up to six weeks for a bare root tree to put out its first flush of leaves.


  • Land survey at Weber Pond today

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    A surveyor is on site today marking the property lines adjacent to Weber Pond. This will help define the project boundary for the restoration contractor.

  • Land survey at Lynn/Kipling Inundation Area today

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    A surveyor will be on site today marking the property lines adjacent to the Lynn/Kipling Inundation Area so the native restoration contractor can prep the site for seeding and planting.

  • Bench and Tree Donations

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    New bench and tree locations are available for the city donation program. Learn more at the Memorial Bench and Tree Donation weblink below:

    https://www.edinamn.gov/254/Tree-Memorial-Bench-Donation

  • Restoration work begins in May

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    Hundreds of bare root trees and shrubs will be planted in May. Also in May, side slopes of the ponds will be seeded and covered to control erosion and keep seed in place while it establishes.

    The majority of planting and seeding will be complete by midsummer. The edges of the Lynn/Kipling Inundation Area will get final seeding after the street project wraps up. Larger spaded trees are planned for the fall.

  • Construction Update - April 14

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    Phase 2 is 95% complete, just a little more topsoil to transport to reestablish the rink area, final boardwalk construction, final trail construction, minor grading and electric and controls work to get the pump station up and running.

    Phase 3 is just kicking off, the Phase 2 and 3 team will meet next week to coordinate restoration and planting with the remaining work for Phase 2.

    Lynn/Kipling Inundation Area, looking north.

    Weber Pond, looking north.

  • Construction Update - March 28

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    Board walk construction will continue through April.

    The Weber Pond pump station equipment will be installed in April and May.

    As the weather warms, we're also preparing for phase 3 - natural resources restoration. The contractor has started the process to source materials.