Parts of South Creek, which runs through the middle of Springfield, are natural—they look like any stream would. But a segment of it was converted years ago for stormwater control purposes to a concrete channel. That one mile section, between Campbell and Kansas along Sunset Avenue, will be restored to a more natural condition starting today (6/15).
The City of Springfield’s water quality coordinator, Carrie Lamb, says the purpose of the project is to improve water quality and habitat for aquatic life. According to Lamb, “the project aligns with two major goals in the City’s Field Guide 2030 Strategic Plan.” Those are to use native plants in publicly funded projects and to restore streams and riparian corridors.
Construction is expected to be finished by winter, and no closures of the South Creek Greenway adjacent to the creek are expected.
The project is being partially funded with a $765,000 water quality grant awarded to Springfield by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It’s a federal grant from the EPA under the Clean Water Act. The required 40 percent match will come from the quarter-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax and the 2006 Springfield-Greene County Parks/Waterways Sales Tax along with contributions of time from City staff and grant partner, Ozark Greenways, according to a news release.
The total project cost is approximately $1.2 million.
