ABOUT

The Whited Fen Restoration Project will protect and improve the nine-acre wetland along Whited Avenue in Minnetonka, through removal of invasive plants and re-establishment of native habitat.

Whited Fen is classified as a rich fen floating mat, a rare wetland type in the watershed. The wetland has unique native plants, including uncommon species like cranberry and cotton grass. Invasive plants are encroaching on these unique species. Without intervention, long term negative impacts will deteriorate the fen.

Community Engagement

• A community meeting was held on March 6, 2023, at the Glen Lake Activity Center regarding planning efforts to restore White Fen. At the meeting staff discussed why Whited Fen is so special, the planning efforts to restore it, and the public’s role in helping.

Whited Fen March 6 2023 Community Meeting Presentation (PDF)

• A walk was held on June 8th to engage with adjacent landowners. Staff and a contractor from Resource Environmental Solutions further explained how restoration will work. A tour of a nearby habitat restoration served as a reference for the project’s goals.

Project Goals

1. Improve wetland health- remove invasive species like buckthorn and cattails that harm wetland health
2. Protect wetland quality- where possible, establish upland buffers to minimize erosion, pollutants/nutrient loading, and minimize opportunity for invasive plants to grow back
3. Preserve wetland long term- Work with the City of Minnetonka and landowners to promote wetland education and community involvement to maintain and preserve the wetland into the future

What is a buffer? A buffer is a vegetated area of land next to a water body that helps stop polluted runoff from entering the water body.

Project Details

In 2022, the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) completed a study that looked at all wetlands within the watershed and highlighted which wetlands are priority to be restored. The study identified four wetlands for further analysis, and ultimately the Whited Fen was prioritized for improvements first.

NMCWD believes Whited Fen can be protected for generations to come with an adaptive management plan. This plan would include removal of invasive plants, establishing a wetland buffer with native plants, educating landowners on the importance of the wetland function, and creating a public amenity through a wetland viewing platform and signage on city property. NMCWD would lead the restoration process, funding the efforts to both remove invasive plant species and establish a wetland buffer in locations where residents are willing to install them on the upland edges of the wetland. NMCWD also intends to work with surrounding landowners on access and maintenance agreements to do the work.

Project Benefits

• Nine-acres of high-quality wetland habitat restored
• Up to two-acres of new wetland buffer
•  Improved views and access to the wetland from city property

Schedule

• Landowner engagement held in early 2023
• NMCWD Board of Managers will consider ordering the project
• Final project designs completed
• Construction start depends on the completion of design, permitting, and access agreements with landowners

Resources

Whited Fen Wetland Restoration fact sheet (PDF)

Wetland Assessment Report (PDF)

High Quality Wetland Scoping, Prioritization, and Feasibility Report (PDF)

Questions?

Contact Brett Eidem, Natural Resources Project and Planning Manager, at beidem@ninemilecreek.org or 952-356-1999