Wolverton Creek Restoration

Wolverton Creek is a 23.5-mile long tributary to the Red River of the North located in west central Minnesota. The watershed is approximately 104 square miles. Similar to other streams in the Red River Basin, Wolverton Creek was straightened, ditched, cleared, and snagged to improve drainage and agricultural production.

 

Wolverton Creek is the outlet for seven county and judicial ditch systems. Prior to the completion of the restoration project, portions of the channel had up to six feet of sediment accumulation. This resulted in breakout flows creating new channels through agricultural fields.

 

In the 1960s, landowners began asking BRRWD to investigate the problems associated with Wolverton Creek. BRRWD partnered with Clay and Wilkin SWCDs to reduce erosion and sedimentation in Wolverton Creek. Watershed-wide solutions have been developed to address sedimentation, erosion, and habitat loss along Wolverton Creek and its tributaries including channel restoration, installation of side inlets and other sediment control BMPs, and installation of expanded buffer strips along the creek.

 

BRRWD developed a plan to acquire easements, restore and expand fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and reduce flooding. Wolverton Creek was restored in Sections 7, 17, and 18, Mitchell Township, Sections 1, 2, and 12, Roberts Township, Sections 4, 9, 10, 14, 15, 23, 26, and 35, Wolverton Township, Wilkin County and Sections 22, 27, and 34, Holy Cross Township, Clay County.

 

In 2017, BRRWD held a hearing and approved an Order to establish the project. Construction began in 2018 and was completed in 2020.