March 29, 2024

Fort Dodge plans $1 million restoration of local creek

FORT DODGE — A $1 million grant is slated to pay for the restoration of Soldier Creek in a Fort Dodge park in an effort to reduce erosion and improve water quality, city officials said. Fort Dodge parks director Lori Branderhorst presented the restoration project Wednesday to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Funding for the project comes from an Iowa fund aimed at water cleanup and erosion control.

Branderhorst said final engineering plans have not yet been completed, but that the project is likely to involve adding bends to straighter portions of the creek for decreased erosion, removing invasive tree species nearby and relocating a portion of the stream.

“It is restoring our park back to its natural state,” she said.

Branderhorst said dirt needed for the project will be transported to the park in the spring. She said construction is expected to begin in late summer.

City officials said portions of Snell-Crawford Park will be closed throughout the process, including a few holes on the park’s disc golf course.