Clear Creek Stream Mitigation Bank

Clear Creek in Coralville, Iowa had long suffered from channelization and erosion, threatening ecological health and stability. Faced with regulatory pressures and environmental degradation, the City of Coralville sought a solution that would restore the stream corridor and support long-term sustainability.

To address this, the city partnered with Bolton & Menk and Impact7G to establish the Clear Creek Stream Mitigation Bank. The project realigned and remeandered 2 miles of stream, restored riparian buffers, and incorporated features such as meander scars, toe wood, and root wads to stabilize banks and enhance habitat. Despite weather delays and sensitive archaeological constraints, the team adapted through phased construction, sustainable practices, and extensive stakeholder engagement. The stream remained open throughout construction, and native vegetation was established with more than 1,000 trees planted.

Completed in May 2025, the project revitalized Clear Creek’s ecological function and created a general-use mitigation bank projected to generate $10.5 million in credit sales over 15 years. It now serves as a model for collaborative and resilient urban restoration, balancing environmental, economic, and community goals.