Making Urban Stream Restoration Work
MMSD Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Thomas Sear, PE, CFM Short Elliott Hendrickson
Area
Watershed (square miles)
Kinnickinnic River 24.7
Menomonee River 135.8
Milwaukee River 700.0
Oak Creek 28.2
Root River 197.6
Lake Michigan Direct 40.7
Drainage Area Total 1,127.0
Number of Counties 9
Number of Local Municipalities 83
• Channel photos taken
April 1960 in vicinity of
S. 6th St Bridge
• Channel constructed
by WPA in 1930’s
Source: MMSD
Menomonee River Watershed
135 sq. mi. Tributary Drainage Area
Underwood Creek Subwatershed
20 sq. mi. Tributary Drainage Area
Kinnickinnic River (KKR) Watershed
KKR S. 6th St. to
I-94 Bridge
Project Location
Expanded
Floodplains
Source: MMSD
KKR FM Project Limits
Downstream WC Segment
So
uth
6th
Str
ee
t
Kinnickinnic River
So
uth
5th
Str
ee
t
Bri
dg
e
Downstream KKR Improvements
Future KKR
Bike Path
3:1 Side Slope,
where space
allows
Five Pools within
Main Channel
Repair erosion
from 5th St.
runoff
Lessons Learned in Stakeholder and Public Involvement
• Obtain Stakeholder / Public Input – Agency Coordination – Stakeholder Meetings – Public Information Meetings
• Apply Phased Planning and Design Approach
– Phase 1 – Planning – Phase 2 – Preliminary Design – Phase 3 – Final Design
• Develop Project Goals and Priorities
Clarify Project Goals and Objectives
• Priority One – Flood Management and Public Safety – One Percent Probability (100-year) Flood Management – Public Safety as Defined by Project Stakeholders
• Priority Two – Stability and Maintenance – Immobile and Stable Main Channel – Vegetated Floodplain that Resists Adjustment
• Priority Three – Riparian Vegetation – Native Plantings that Mimic Natural Conditions
• Priority Four – Fisheries and Stream Biota – Fish Passage
• Priority Five – Wildlife – Native Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles
• Priority Six – Public Use – Future Accessibility
Lessons in Project Management Seek Creativity in the Design Process
• Watercourse Rehabilitation “Takes a Village” – Ecologist – Geomorphologist – Geotechnical / Environmental Engineers
• “Facilitate” the Design Process – Listen and Seek to Understand – Not always about Engineering – Iteration may be Necessary
• Engineering is Still Key – Address Physical Constraints – Know when Engineering must Lead
Lessons Learned in Channel / Floodplain Design
• Frequent Floodplain Inundation
– Evaluate Long-Term (15-minute) Gage Data
– Channel Capacity exceeded 12 to 16 Times Annually
• Channel Stability
– Beware of Transitions
– Check Stone Gradations
• Floodplain Grading
– Excavate to Seasonal High GWT Elevation
– Rough Grading to Promote Micro-topography
Lessons Learned in Watercourse Design
• Evaluate Discharge Ranges
– Average / Low Flow Conditions
– Range of Design Discharges
• Seek Secondary Benefits
– Multi-Use / Future Bike Path Alignment
– Limestone Block Reuse
– Aesthetics
• Habitat Enhancements
– Hydrology is Key
– Low Flow Channel
– Pool Shading
Lessons Learned Manage the Unexpected
• Be Prepared for Buried “Treasures”
– Abandoned Infrastructure
– Construction Debris
– Environmental Contamination
• Address Post-Construction “Adjustments”
– Floodplain Disturbances
– Vegetation Loss
– Stormwater Outfalls
– Groundwater Seepage
• It takes Teamwork