Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
This project restores floodplain access to Mica Creek on private land during high-water events.
Historical farming practices diked the lower portion of Mica Creek, restricting floodplain access. Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District removed a portion of the dike, allowing the stream to access the floodplain. This access allows sediment deposition within the floodplain and reduce sediment runoff into Coeur d’Alene Lake. This work also slowed downstream flow, reduced streambank erosion, 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. Project monitoring will be done in spring 2025.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by 200 pounds annually.