McKnight Wetland Restoration

The McKnight Wetland is located north of Pioneer Trail, between McKnight Road and Bavaria Road in Chaska, MN. The wetland complex was altered sometime in the early 1900s in an attempt to drain the wetland to allow for the expansion of agricultural uses in the rich, organic soils. The efforts the drain the wetland included ditching in the northern portion of the wetland as well as the modification of the wetland outlet; which lowered the water level in the wetland by approximately 2 feet below the historical condition.

The project will result in the restoration of 29.5 acres of wetland that had been partially drained, along with the restoration of 20 acres of adjacent upland area. Work will take place over several years and will include the modification of the wetland outlet to restore the historical water levels, removal of invasive vegetation, and the establishment of native wetland and upland vegetation.

Once complete, the City will receive approximately 13.5 acres of “wetland credits”, which will be used as mitigation for future development projects where wetland impacts are unavoidable. Based on the current average cost to purchase credits, the McKnight Wetland credit banked will have a value of approximately $1.1 million. Taking into account the cost of the restoration, the project will result in a net return in value to the City of $719,000. Currently, only a total of 1.4 acres remain in the City's first wetland bank at the Chaska Town Course, where 9 acres of credit were initially received.

Wetlands are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for many plants and animals including frogs, muskrats, turtles, birds, sedges, reeds, water lilies, dragonflies, and waterfowl. Additionally they provide water quality benefits as flood control, a groundwater recharge area, and filter out sediment and nutrients (like phosphorus) from stormwater runoff.

The restoration area will also provide open space and natural beauty for the public to enjoy hiking, birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

The City of Chaska has undertaken similar projects in the past. Below are some before and after images of other wetland restoration projects, located at the Chaska Town Course and the Harvest West Development.