Stony Creek Restoration

Stony Creek Restoration begins at the confluence of Stony Creek with Hay Creek and proceeds upstream along the alignment of Stony Creek (Clay County Ditch No. 31) to the Railroad right-of-way in Sections 12 and 13 of Barnesville Township. Project is located in Sections 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, and 13, Barnesville Township, Clay County. The project restored 4 miles of channel, constructed setback levees, installed sediment best management practices (BMP’s), and established expanded buffer along the channel.

Prior to the restoration, capacity of the channel was often exceeded resulting in breakouts and overland flooding. Breakout flows often occurred during flood events when floodwaters would leave the channel and flow over land, causing erosion and deposition within the channel. High flows along Stony Creek result in crop damage. Flooding from the Stony Creek drainage area also contributed to larger scale downstream flooding along the South Branch of the Buffalo-River. The restoration project reestablished the historic gradeline of the channel and constructed a stable 2-stage natural channel.  The goal of the project is to reduce flooding by reducing the frequency of breakout flows and provide greater protection to public and private infrastructure. The project decreases erosion and sedimentation and fosters stable stream conditions.

​ A project hearing was held and BRRWD approved an Order to establish the project in 2023. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025.