Creek and Stream Drainage Improvements

The Capital Improvements Program provides each year for bank stabilization and other channel improvements in public parkland.  These improvements may be done as stand alone project or in coordination with another project.

The practices commonly used are designed to work with the natural flow of water by redirecting the channel flow to the middle of the creek and providing more resilient banks.  Creek changes over time are a natural part of the eco-system; these projects are intended to help guide those changes so as to reduce erosion and impacts to adjacent infrastructure such as trails and sewers.  It takes several years after installation for the channel to stabilize and vegetation to naturally re-establish.

The City of Urbandale is primarily in the Walnut Creek watershed, with the northeast corner in the Beaver Creek watershed.  The City uses 16 sub-watersheds to coordinate creek inspections and maintenance.

• Urbandale Sub-Watersheds
• The Walnut Creek Watershed

Current and Upcoming Projects

2025-2026: Walnut Creek Bank Stabilization Project

This project provides for bank stabilization along Walnut Creek south of Douglas Avenue.  This project has been awarded to Nagel Construction and is expected to be winter construction work.  Practices include bendway weirs, longitudinal peaked stone toe protection (LPSTP), and rock keys.  Nagel Construction is the contractor on this project, and will start work mid November. 

2025-2026: Golfview Park Bank Stabilization Project

This project provides for bank stabilization along Golfview Creek in parkland from 100th Street to Aurora Avenue.  This project has been awarded to Nagel Construction and is expected to be winter construction work.  Practices include bank toe armoring, longitudinal peaked stone toe protection (LPSTP), and tree topping of dead vegetation to mitigate future bank damage.  This will leave approximately 3' of the stump in place for habitat and help prevent erosion.  Nagel Construction is the contractor on this project, and will start work early 2026. 

Completed Projects

These are a few of our most recent projects.

2025: Walnut Creek and Sunflower Park bank stabilization project.

This project provided for bank stabilization in Walnut Creek Regional Park north of Douglas Avenue and in Sunflower Park north of Douglas Avenue.  Practices include bendway weirs, longitudinal peaked stone toe protection (LPSTP), and rock keys. The Contractor for this project is RW Excavating.  Sunflower Park Project Area Map.

2024: Storm Outfall Repairs

This project provided for the repair of damaged storm sewer outfalls, one on Rocklyn Creek and one on Millside Creek.  The Contractor was Nagel Construction..

2023: North Walnut Creek bank stabilization project.

This project provided for bank stabilization in North Walnut Creek, approximately one half mile north of Hickman Avenue.  Park north of Douglas Avenue and in Sunflower Park north of Douglas Avenue.  Practices include bendway weirs, rock riffle structures, outer bend toe protection, and stilling basins.   The Contractor for this project was Nagel Construction.  Project Location Map.