Location
Construction & Engineering Hall, Oregon State University
Start Date
25-6-2013 2:10 PM
End Date
25-6-2013 2:30 PM
Description
Following Milltown Dam removal in 2008, the Clark Fork River became free-flowing once again for the first time in over 100 years. A comprehensive restoration plan addressed over 200 acres of floodplain and over three miles of the Clark Fork River upstream of the dam in the former reservoir. Restoration objectives focused on restoring riparian plant communities and providing preferred habitat for native aquatic and terrestrial species, as well as creating sustainable river and floodplain morphology in the context of existing constraints. Because the entire pre-dam floodplain was impacted by the reservoir and extensive sediment deposition from upstream mining activity, restoration of the entire valley bottom was addressed. An interdisciplinary team of restoration professionals collaboratively developed designs for reconstructing the pre-dam landscape including details for geomorphic features ranging from the riverbed and side channels to off-channel wetlands and upland floodplain terraces. To support the design and address a lack of historical information, an extensive data collection and analysis effort was undertaken to understand pre-dam processes and to characterize the likely configuration of the Clark Fork River floodplain. In addition to being used for managing risk and establishing project extents, data were used to develop geomorphic design criteria, build detailed terrain models in AutoCAD, complete sediment transport analyses, prepare hydraulic models using HEC-RAS, and produce a comprehensive re-vegetation plan. This presentation will be of value to those contemplating large-scale river and floodplain restoration or restoration associated with dam removal. Presentation content will include examples of constructed restoration techniques and information pertaining to engineering design. In addition, this presentation will provide a synopsis of project performance following three years of above normal runoff, as well as a summary of lessons learned from 10 years of project planning, design, implementation, and monitoring.
Concurrent Sessions A: Dam Removal II - Integrated River and Floodplain Restoration on the Clark Fork River Following Removal of Milltown Dam
Construction & Engineering Hall, Oregon State University
Following Milltown Dam removal in 2008, the Clark Fork River became free-flowing once again for the first time in over 100 years. A comprehensive restoration plan addressed over 200 acres of floodplain and over three miles of the Clark Fork River upstream of the dam in the former reservoir. Restoration objectives focused on restoring riparian plant communities and providing preferred habitat for native aquatic and terrestrial species, as well as creating sustainable river and floodplain morphology in the context of existing constraints. Because the entire pre-dam floodplain was impacted by the reservoir and extensive sediment deposition from upstream mining activity, restoration of the entire valley bottom was addressed. An interdisciplinary team of restoration professionals collaboratively developed designs for reconstructing the pre-dam landscape including details for geomorphic features ranging from the riverbed and side channels to off-channel wetlands and upland floodplain terraces. To support the design and address a lack of historical information, an extensive data collection and analysis effort was undertaken to understand pre-dam processes and to characterize the likely configuration of the Clark Fork River floodplain. In addition to being used for managing risk and establishing project extents, data were used to develop geomorphic design criteria, build detailed terrain models in AutoCAD, complete sediment transport analyses, prepare hydraulic models using HEC-RAS, and produce a comprehensive re-vegetation plan. This presentation will be of value to those contemplating large-scale river and floodplain restoration or restoration associated with dam removal. Presentation content will include examples of constructed restoration techniques and information pertaining to engineering design. In addition, this presentation will provide a synopsis of project performance following three years of above normal runoff, as well as a summary of lessons learned from 10 years of project planning, design, implementation, and monitoring.
Comments
Matt Daniels is a principal engineer at River Design Group in Whitefish, Montana. Matt graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Civil Engineering, and has over 20 years of experience working on water resources projects. His responsibilities include project management and technical support for large-scale, interdisciplinary river and floodplain restoration projects.