Catfish Creek
Stream
Restoration
This project applied natural channel design techniques to address streambank instability and accessibility concerns along the Catfish Creek near Dubuque, Iowa.
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 the redesign of a vehicular stream crossing that directed stream flow towards a 20-foot-tall exposed bluff along the stream.
The design also addressed stability issues at several 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 installed a recreational trail that 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. 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 experienced 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.