2025 - MORGAN CREEK PARK WETLAND - CEDAR RAPIDS

BEFORE

BEFORE

 

Project Partners

  • Cedar Rapids Community School District

  • City of Cedar Rapids

  • Nature Conservancy

  • WHKS




Grant award: $177,625 - WQI  

Total project: $505,200

Applicant/Partner Contributions: : $327,575

Summary
Linn County Conservation Board will construct a wetland/pond hybrid at Morgan Creek Park. This practice benefits Morgan Creek and the Middle Cedar River by treating 149 acres of agricultural runoff and future development. It addresses erosion, improves water quality, offers flood reduction, and source water protection. The wetland/pond hybrid will provide quality habitat for waterfowl, fish, herpetofauna and serve as an excellent place for fishing, outdoor recreation, and wildlife viewing to the Cedar Rapids Metro area.

Description
Given Morgan Creek’s proximity to the large metro area of Cedar Rapids, it is an extremely high-use park. The park has seen large redevelopment in recent years that includes a state-of-the-art playground, trail connections, reservable shelter, and other natural resource features like wetlands. There is also an event lodge under construction.

According to the DNR, Morgan Creek is considered impaired or threatened. The City of Cedar Rapids draws their drinking water from the well that is located near where Morgan Creek enters the Cedar River, so this project is critical for source water protection. The wetland/pond hybrid is designed to treat the entire unified sizing criteria. This means that every single rain event between the 1.25 inch and the 100-year storm is treated before being released.

Linn County Conservation staff will monitor the wetland and native vegetation and conduct water quality monitoring testing. They will host fishing, wildlife viewing, and other educational activities at the site. There will also be a partnership with the School District to get students on site. Informational signage will be posted detailing the project and its benefits. Trails will be created around the wetland to allow for greater access to its different components.

The project is currenty under construction (August 2026).

Practices

  • Sediment forebay

  • 2.9-acre wetland/pond hybrid

  • 6.1 acres of native landscaping