An overview of the Yellow River Pilot Project was presented when the Kankakee River Basin Commission met at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center Thursday morning.
Siavash Beik from Christopher B. Burke Engineering presented a summary of the project. The meeting was followed up by a site visit where Beik and his colleague Bob Barr pointed out some of the items that were highlighted during the presentation.
While providing the background, Beik explained that the Yellow River was assessed in order to address river erosion and to develop an effective method of sediment management.
Multiple points along the river were reviewed, but one spot specifically presented a major problem. With water moving side to side, it was continuously pressing up against the banks, washing excess sand into the river and destabilizing the banks themselves. This area is just outside of the Knox city limits, behind a property on State Road 8.
This is where the pilot project was implemented. Beik noted that about a half a mile along both sides of the river were worked on. They utilized a nature-based method called the “Toe Wood Technique” where large woody debris is placed along the banks as a way to prevent erosion.
During the site visit, Burr explained that something similar to this occurs naturally when trees fall into the river and lodge themselves into the sides. He explained that as long as it’s not running all the way across, blocking the flow, the placement can actually be helpful in securing the bank.
They also reworked the vertical, ineffective banks into step like river benches that are above the strategically positioned wood.
One of the things they had to deal with onsite was a natural gas line that is very close to the bottom of the river.
Burr explained that is pretty common around the state and is a problem that often has to be worked around since the gas company won’t allow developers to work on their easement.
They were able to avoid any future interference with the gas line by putting in some stones in a‘ V’ formation to help redirect the water and keep the bottom of the river from eroding.
The difference between this project and others that have been tried in the past is that it was created to work with nature and ultimately be self-sustaining. Though it will require monitoring, the project representatives noted that they wanted to ensure that little to no human interference will be required in the future.
One of the most measurable successes of using this technique was the fact that the system held up during February’s flooding before the vegetation even had a chance to grow back and the project was fully stabilized yet.
The next step for this pilot project is that it will be presented to state legislatures, with the hope that they will understand its usefulness and provide some funding to implement it in other areas that require the same sort of system. Aside from stressing the visible results, project representatives will also highlight the fact that self-sustainability will cut down on overall maintenance costs in the long run.
In the meantime, county officials associated with the KRBC will be working to secure local matches, as the state has said nothing with be provided without some “skin in the game.”
More photos from the site visit can be found below:
