Catfish Creek
Stream
Restoration
Dubuque County Conservation contracted with RDG Planning & Design to develop approaches to address streambank stability issues in Swiss Valley Park Campgrounds along the South Fork of Catfish Creek. One of the main challenges was redesign of a vehicular stream crossing which was directing stream flow towards a 20' tall exposed bluff along the edge of the stream. The design also addressed stability issues at a number of other locations along the reach, created an enhanced stream play area, established accessible fishing locations, enhanced in-stream habitat, created new native landscaping areas and inserted a recreational trail which weaves along the stream.
This project was one of the first projects to move into implementation from the Dubuque County Parks Master Plan (also prepared by RDG - 3003.195.00). Swiss Valley Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in Dubuque County and attracts many fishermen. Within the Swiss Valley Park campground, several areas along this ½ mile stretch of Catfish Creek had severe streambank erosion and instability. With many visitors to the park, the instability of Catfish Creek had become a hazard; necessitating accessibility improvements that maintain the value of the creek as a fishery. Multiple in-river habitat and channel-defining structures were implemented, and at one location, cut stone was used to retain an eroded hillslope and mimic the appearance of limestone outcroppings, a common feature along streams in this part of Northeast Iowa. Phase 1 of the project was constructed in 2022 at a cost of approximately $600,000. Phase 2 was constructed at a cost of approximately $250,000. Construction was completed in early 2023.