McKinley Lake Restoration Project in Creston, IA.
McKinley Lake Restoration Project
Background
FYRA Engineering, now part of Houston Engineering (HEI) was selected by the City of Creston to develop a lake restoration feasibility plan for McKinley Lake. The City adopted the plan in 2022 and used it to obtain funding to implement engineering design and construction of lake restoration alternatives. The design was completed in 2024 in 2024 by HEI and construction was substantially completed in the spring of 2026.
The Project
Restoration Feasibility Plan
HEI’s lake restoration team developed the restoration plan by completing a preliminary investigation of environmental/permitting considerations, developing multiple watershed and in-lake improvement concepts, and prioritizing among alternatives based on potential permitting impacts, quantifying benefits of potential alternatives, and estimating construction costs of alternatives.
The alternatives analysis considered a stormwater wetland, shoreline access and aquatic habitat improvements, sediment removal (dredging), and a suite of complementary recreational features such as a public swimming beach, docks, jetties, and a marina for paddleboat, kayak, and canoe rentals.
HEI summarized findings and provided the City of Creston with a comprehensive plan used to secure funding and technical partnerships. The plan was also used to inform the public/stakeholders and enable next steps toward making the project a reality.
Restoration Design and Construction
Once funding was secured, the City of Creston, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Lake Restoration program, hired HEI to develop engineering design plans, obtain all required permits, and administer construction bidding and oversight of selected improvement alternatives to the lake and surrounding park. Major design features include replacement of the aging low level drawdown system, mechanical removal of 306,000 cubic yards of sediment, design of the sediment containment site, improved sediment retention in an in-lake forebay, aquatic habitat structures, and improved shoreline access and angling, including an ADA compliant fishing dock and kayak launch.
Project Highlights
- Project feasibility and alternatives analysis that includes permitting requirements, cost/benefit analysis, and stakeholder engagement that gained community support and the acquisition of technical and funding assistance.
- Replacement of an aging low-level drawdown structure that required a dam breach analysis, sequenced cut and cover operation, and resulted in
overall improvements to dam safety and water level management. - Engineering designs, specifications, and permits to implement a $4 million restoration project with multiple benefits for residents of
Creston and the surrounding area.
Project Details
Client: City of Creston, Iowa
Location: Creston, Iowa
Project Highlights
Project Highlights
- Project feasibility and alternatives analysis that includes permitting requirements, cost/benefit analysis, and stakeholder engagement that gained community support and the acquisition of technical and funding assistance.
- Replacement of an aging low-level drawdown structure that required a dam breach analysis, sequenced cut and cover operation, and resulted in
overall improvements to dam safety and water level management. - Engineering designs, specifications, and permits to implement a $4 million restoration project with multiple benefits for residents of
Creston and the surrounding area.
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