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Project sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
This project restored floodplain access to Mica Creek on private land during high-water events.
Historical farming practices ditched the lower portion of Mica Creek, restricting floodplain access. Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District removed a portion of an existing dike, allowing the stream to access the floodplain. This access allows sediment deposition within the floodplain and reduces sediment runoff into Coeur d’Alene Lake. This work also slowed downstream flow, reducing erosive forces of the creek, and improved groundwater recharge.
Funding
This project received $56,512 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Current Status
This project is complete. The floodplain channel was constructed in summer 2023, and a portion of the dike separating Mica Creek from the overflow channel was removed in summer 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by 200 pounds annually.