The Linn County Conservation Board has focused on water quality improvement and protection projects at Morgan Creek Park. As part of a Middle Cedar River study, Morgan Creek has been surveyed and the watershed area studied. This study, funded by the Linn County Conservation Board, has provided additional water quality protection projects within the park.
As part of the master plan process for the park, a 35 acre addition to Morgan Creek Park allows for project design to include a network of wetland cells. A series of wetlands will capture and clean water from E Avenue, adjacent neighborhoods, and park impermeable surfaces. These wetland cells are foundational to the overall new park development and will serve area storm water management needs.
The Linn County Conservation Board is collaborating with the city of Cedar Rapids, the Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and others on this project. This Morgan Creek watershed project is directly beneficial to drinking water quality as Morgan Creek flows through Cedar Rapids’ well fields on its way to the Cedar River. Removal of nitrates and other nutrients from surface water prior to reaching drinking water sources is a key goal of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Wings2Water funds helped develop the 35-acre addition to Morgan Creek Park on the western edge of Cedar Rapids. The W2W funding also served as “seed money” to secure other grant funding for the wetlands project at this popular county park. This wetlands project captures and cleans water from E Avenue and adjacent neighborhoods. The wetland cells are foundational to sustainable development, serving storm water management needs, as well as providing critical wildlife and aquatic habitat.
Daniel Gibbins Deputy, Director of Linn County Conservation said this about this project, “Wings2Water, with its innovative viewership and fundraising approach, is a key partner to the success of the Morgan Creek Park project. Their approach is key to helping Linn County Conservation build its partnership and fundraising plan for this project, which at its core promotes stewardship of our waterways and natural resources. Wings2Water has helped inspire our community … to promote a healthy environment through sound watershed management.”