Highlighted Projects

Colonial Oaks Third Subdivision

Rochester, MN

Colonial Oaks Third is a 175-acre rural residential subdivision in southeast Rochester, Minnesota.  This parcel contains wetlands, native prairies and steep slopes.

An environmentally sensitive rural-style residential community was designed with 47 lots varying in size from 2 to 9 acres.  Each lot is platted with a specific building envelope to further maximize the natural resources within the site.  Colonial Oaks Third has established a Prairie Preservation and Home Owners Association to manage the wetlands, prairies and private utilities on the site.

McGhie & Betts Environmental Services, Inc. (MBESI) completed the wetland delineations for the seven wetlands present on Colonial Oaks Third.  Three criteria consisting of wetland hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils need to be present to be considered a wetland.

Colonial Oaks Third required nearly a quarter of an acre of wetland impact that was replaced on site at a 2:1 ratio adjacent to an existing wetland through the use of grading and replacement of wetland vegetation species.

MBESI delineated both the native prairie areas and the wetlands present within Colonial Oaks Third.  These areas were then identified by signs along the perimeter to inform home owners of their existence thus aiding in long term preservation.

A Large 8 foot deep scour channel formed within Colonial Oaks Third that created sedimentation problems and dewatered one of the on-site wetlands.  To stop erosion and dewatering of the site, the scour channel was re-graded and filled with rock over top of an erosion blanket.  This slowed the water down and stabilized the banks.  The rock was back filled with dirt, seeded, and covered with erosion control blankets.

• Planning
  • General Development Plan
  • Zone Change
  • Public Hearings
  • Client Representation
• Engineering
  • Drainage Plan and Analysis
  • Grading & Erosion Control
  • Steep Slope Protection
  • Channel Restoration & Stabilization
  • Water Quality Basins
  • NPDES SWPPP Preparation
  • Street Construction Plans & Profiles
  • Community Water Wells
  • Stormwater Managment
• Environmental
  • Wetland Delineation
  • Prairie Delineation
  • Wetland Creation
  • Erosion Control
  • Decorah Shale Studies
  • Endangered Species Protection