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




KK River at 6
th
Street
Ice Flows at 9
th
Street
*UWM Digital Collection
Source: MMSD

Channel photos taken
April 1960 in vicinity of
S. 6
th
St Bridge
Channel constructed
by WPA in 1930s
Source: MMSD

Flooding in S. 12
th
St South of the KK River
Source:
MMSD

View west from the RR trestle east of S. 6
th
St
Source: MMSD

Kinnickinnic River
9
th
Place and Cleveland
June 7, 2008 (50 Year Flood)
Source: MMSD
KK River 1% Probability Floodplain and Floodway
Source: SEWRPC
Before

Concrete Removal
Minimized Floodplain
Habitat Enhancement
After
Source: MMSD
Photo by: Mark Was
Source: MMSD
Source: MMSD

Menomonee River
Watershed
135 sq. mi. Tributary
Drainage Area



Underwood Creek
Subwatershed
20 sq. mi. Tributary
Drainage Area


Underwood Creek Typical Upstream (Phase 1) Segment
Underwood Creek Upstream Limits of Phase 1 Project
Underwood Creek - 1997 Annual Peak Hydrograph
(Source: SEWRPC)
MMSD Milwaukee County Grounds Floodwater Facility
Underwood Creek Construction - 2009
Underwood Creek Construction - 2009
Underwood Creek Post Construction, Nov. 2009
Underwood Creek Post Construction, Nov. 2009
Underwood Creek Post Construction, Summer 2010
Underwood Creek Post Construction, Summer 2010
Underwood Creek Oak Leaf Trail Bike Path View
Underwood
Creek
Phase 1
Rehabilitation
Kinnickinnic River (KKR) Watershed
KKR S. 6
th
St. to
I-94 Bridge
Project Location
Expanded
Floodplains
Source: MMSD
(SEWRPC, 2008)
6
th
St Bridge
KKR FM Project Limits
Downstream WC Segment
S
o
u
t
h

6
t
h

S
t
r
e
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t

Kinnickinnic River
S
o
u
t
h

5
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

B
r
i
d
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e

KKR Upstream Watercourse Segment
KKR Downstream Watercourse Segment
KKR Downstream Watercourse Segment
Upstream KKR Improvements
Minimum 2:1
Side Slopes
Future KKR
Bike Trail
Retaining
Walls
Upstream KKR Cross-Sections
Downstream KKR Improvements
Future KKR
Bike Path
3:1 Side Slope,
where space
allows
Five Pools within
Main Channel
Repair erosion
from 5
th
St.
runoff
KKR Downstream Cross-Section
Typical Riffle Section
KKR Main Channel Cross-Sections
Typical Pool Section
KKR S. 6
th
St. Bridge and Watercourse
Pre-Improvement
KKR Watercourse - Upstream Segment
Pre-Improvement
KKR Watercourse - Transition Segment
Pre-Improvement
KKR Watercourse - Transition Segment
Pre-Improvement
March 2012 High Water Event
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




Questions?