Jones Lake Flood Mitigation

City: New Brighton
Completion Date: Expected 2028
Cost: Approx. 7.6 Million
Phase: In Progress, Multiple Phases
Water Body: Jones Lake and surrounding watershed
Funding Sources: MPCA, Rice Creek Watershed District, New Brighton
Partners: New Brighton, MPCA

Project Updates

Check back here for construction timelines, photos, and future updates.

July 2025 – RCWD Board authorized final design and permitting task order with Houston Engineering, Inc. for Phase 1. Design work is underway and construction is anticipated to begin in early 2027.

July 2025 – RCWD Board accepted a $1.17 million MPCA Stormwater Implementation Grant to cover some project costs.

July 2025 to June 2026 – Planning meetings, design creation, and project coordination with partners occurring between this time.

The Jones Lake Project is a major flood reduction and water quality improvement project led by the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), in partnership with the Cities of New Brighton, St. Anthony Village. This project is part of RCWD’s larger flood mitigation efforts, developed in response to repeated flooding and growing climate-related risks in the region.

Why This Project Matters

Flood Reduction & Public Safety
The I-35W corridor serves over 40,000 residents and is home to homes, businesses, schools, and major roadways like I-35W and I-694. During past heavy rain events, including the 2011 “super storm,” this area experienced severe flooding that damaged property, threatened public safety, and overwhelmed infrastructure. The Jones Lake Project will:

Lower flood elevation over I-35W by up to 2 feet
Provide 6.4 million cubic feet of new stormwater storage (equal to 73 Olympic-sized pools)
Help prevent flash flooding of roads, homes, and apartments like the Garden View Apartments

Water Quality Benefits
Jones Lake drains into Long Lake and is part of a larger network of regional water bodies. This project will:

Reduce sediment delivery by 20,000 pounds/year
Reduce phosphorus runoff by 78 pounds/year
Improve habitat and aquatic health downstream

Community and Environmental Justice
This project serves racially diverse and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, helping protect vulnerable communities from future flood risks while creating long-term climate resilience. It also supports environmental justice goals by investing in infrastructure where it’s most needed.

Project Scope and Timeline

The Jones Lake Outlet Modification and Dredging Project includes:

Replacing the failing outlet structure installed by RCWD in the 1970s
Constructing a sediment forebay to collect debris and pollution
Dredging open water and fringe sediment areas to increase storage and flow capacity
Enhancing water quality and long-term function of the lake system

The project is being completed in phases to match available funding:

Phase 1 (2025–2026)
Supported by a $1.17 million MPCA Stormwater Implementation Grant and RCWD funds.
This phase includes final design, bid preparation, outlet replacement, sediment forebay construction, and initial dredging.
Phase 2 (Future)
Will complete remaining dredging and sediment removal, pending additional funding.

Project History and Planning

This project is part of a long-term, multi-phase flood mitigation strategy that began after the 2011 storm. RCWD worked closely with local partners through a Basic Water Management Project (BWMP) petition to develop a regional stormwater management plan.

Despite not receiving bonding support from the legislature, RCWD is advancing the project using grant funding and local investment, with continued support from Senator Mary Kunesh and Representative Sandra Feist.