3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands

These wetlands were created to help filter stormwater runoff and provide habitat for wildlife.  Out of concern for the health and welfare of local streams, flora, and fauna, seventeen agency partners came together to restore this area and create the wetlands. The wetland cells treat stormwater runoff from approximately 140 acres of urban watershed and can store and filter an estimated 10,000,000 gallons of runoff. The old sewer treatment pumphouse was repurposed into a viewing platform with picnic tables and a green roof. Visitors will enjoy walking the wetland trail to read the wetland educational signs and observe the wildlife.  In fact, e-bird.org the 3M Wetlands listed as a world “hot spot” for bird sightings.

Twenty-four interpretive signs about the wetlands and the adjacent MKT Trail are distributed along the wetland trail. Each sign has a QR code that trail users can scan with their smart phones and hear an audio version of the sign information. The audio version is also available on-line for each of the 24 educational signs.

• Acres: 26.2
• Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Nature Trail Miles: 1.25 mile loop, including MKT portion
• Map of 3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands
• Location: Between 6-7 mile markers on MKT Trail

Park amenities

Outdoors

• Interpretive signs with online audio component (24)

Picnic areas

• Non-Reservable Shelter (1)
• Green Roof Shelter

Trails

• Forum connector access
• 3M Wetland Trail

Park history

In 1998, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources placed Hinkson Creek on the list of impaired waters for “unspecified pollutants” due to urban runoff, leading to the degradation of warm water aquatic life. Columbia Parks and Recreation wanted to help in the effort to improve the health of the Hinkson by building wetlands along the MKT Trail to filter pollutants out of stormwater before they reached the creek; but, needed help to make that vision a reality. Spearheaded by a generous grant from 3M, 17 agency partners came together to design, fund, and develop the 3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetlands, which filters an estimated 10 million gallons of stormwater before it reaches the creek.

The project reclaimed and restored an environmentally degraded site along an important riparian forest corridor located at the old Sewer Plant #2 – MKT Trail bufferland near Forum Blvd. and Chapel Hill Road. The vacated old sewer treatment pumphouse was repurposed into a viewing platform with picnic tables and a green roof. 

More information on the 3M Wetlands project can be found at the following links:

• You Tube Video: 3M Flat Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetland: Part One
• “From Rubble to Conservation: The 3M Flat-Branch-Hinkson Creek Wetland Project“
  U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service website