Clean Rivers Clean Lakes

8th Annual ConferenceNew Projects on the KK and

Menomonee Rivers

David C. Fowler CFMAssociation of State Floodplain Managers Region VDirectorMilwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Senior ProjectManager

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Floodplain Managers Celebrating Job Security

Cycle of Increasing RisksStructure to

ControlFloods

Development at Risk

StructureRendered

Inadequate

Changes in theWatershed

More Development

Placed at Risk

• Loss of natural functions & services• Increased runoff• Changing climate

• Deterioration• Maintenance Issues 3

Natural Floodplain Functioning

Slide Courtesy of John Mc

Shane

Structural Flood

Management

Unnatural Floodplain

Healthy Stream Ecosystems

Stressed Stream Ecosystem

Sustainable Flood Management

Objectives:Reduce Flood RiskImprove Public SafetyStream Channel RehabilitationNeighborhood Development

Flood Management Projects Kinnickinnic River Watershed

Kinnickinnic River WatershedWas voted one of the top ten worst rivers in North

America in 2007

Kinnickinnic River

Year 1836VsYear 2009(Increased Stream Chanel Miles)

Slide Courtesy of Tom Slawski

Lost Wetlands

•Channel photos taken April 1960 in vicinity of S. 6th St Bridge•Channel constructed by WPA in 1930’s

Kinnickinick River

1930-1960

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

March 1960 Flood Event

Old Flood Risk Management Improved Channel ???

CONCRETE SUCKS

Concrete Channel Encouraged Development in the “real” Floodplain

Kinnickinnic River9th Place and Cleveland June 7, 2008 (50 Year Flood)

KK River “100 year ”Floodplain and Floodway

Stream Channel Rehabilitation: Water Quality, Stream Function and Community

Development

Kinnickinnic River Vision

KK River 6th Bridge (1960)

Standing on the S. 6th St Bridge, looking east.

Standing on the former RR Trestle, looking NW.

S. 6th St Bridge (2009)

S. 6th St Bridge (2011)

View from the West side of the Bridge.

•Existing concrete channel•Channel bound by MMSD facilities & abandoned RR trestle

KK River 6th Street

to I -94 Upstream

2010

Concrete Channel Removal

Channel Construction Completed

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Menomonee River Stream Channel Rehabilitation

Objectives:Improve Fish PassageSustain Water ResourcesPart of a Sustainable Watershed Plan

Impacts to Flood Elevations• MCG Flood

Management Facility

• Valley Park Floodwall and Levee

Project Design• Construction Document Preparation

– Topographic Survey– Structural Evaluations– Plans and Specifications– Plan for Contractor Operations

• Construct from Upstream to Downstream• Maintenance of Normal and High Flows• Fish Passage Boulder Placement• Final Restoration

Current Conditions

• Concrete Invert with Low Flow Channel– Steep Slope– High Velocities– Problems for Fish

• Stone Walls– Significant

Deterioration• Accessibility Issues

Project Design• Riffle and Pool Layout

– Fish Passage Support

• WPA Wall Repairs– Areas of Failure

and in Need of General Repair

• Existing Outfalls to River

– Maintained During Construction

• Railroad Bridge Issues– Fragile Abutments

and Structure• Access During and

After Construction• Modeling

– HEC-RAS– Sediment

Transport

Project Design• Construction Document Preparation

– Topographic Survey– Structural Evaluations– Plans and Specifications– Plan for Contractor Operations

• Construct from Upstream to Downstream• Maintenance of Normal and High Flows• Fish Passage Boulder Placement• Final Restoration

Rendering of Potential Design

Anticipated Results

• Fish Passage• Flood Elevations• Future Segments

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Underwood Creek Project Menomonee Watershed

Objectives:Improve Fish PassageSustain Water ResourcesPart of a Sustainable Watershed Plan

Underwood Creek – Before Construction 2008

Underwood Creek – Typical Upstream (Phase 1) Segment

Rehabilitated Channel Phase I - Riffle Section

Rehabilitated Channel – Pool Section

Underwood Creek Phase I Construction - 2009

Underwood Creek Phase I Construction - 2009

Underwood Creek Phase I – Post Construction 2009

Pool

Riffle

Underwood Creek – Downstream (Phase 2)

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Questions?