South Fork Watonwan River Restoration

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) partnered with ISG to develop a master plan redesigning the Watonwan Rest Area on State Highway 60, including plans to restore a section of the South Fork Watonwan River that was straightened during the construction of State Highway 60. Looking to generate stream mitigation credits and enhance the overall rest area, the site offered the MnDOT a unique opportunity to improve visitor experiences and the South Fork Watonwan River’s ecological functions concurrently. Balancing mitigation banking process experience with site design, ISG created conceptual sketches, performed site visits, and collected data to plan future rest area renovations and improve the surrounding river’s water quality, wildlife habitats, and floodplains.

ISG’s landscape architects and environmental and surface water engineers developed a master plan that creates new amenities for regional travelers, such as a playground, dog park, and defined nature trail. To draw visitor attention to the restored stream, the rest area master plan incorporates natural channel design, floodplains, and in-channel habitat features. Environmental review completed the early stages of the permitting process and established future phases for streamlined permitting approval and implementation. The resulting plan intends to restore the river corridor, enhance the rest area, and connect visitors to nature.