Welcome to the Stormwater Utility blog for the City of Columbia, Missouri, Public Works Department.
Environmental Services Division Staff will provide information, photos and videos of stormwater improvements, infrastructure updates, tips for homeowners and a variety of other information on stormwater.
Check out the recent Columbia City Channel Production on our 319 Grant activity!
US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (G11-NPS-12).
Time lapse video of step pool construction. Note: inactive days are non-work days (weekends).
The City of Columbia Water Department has been "stepping" up their work. Since mid-January, the Water Department has had a crew of two or three operators working on construction of over 18 "steps" and "pools" to replace an incised channel.
Looking upstream, incised and eroding channel is approximately three feet deep.
The channel behind the Columbia Water & Light Pole Yard on Ashley Street carries runoff from the City Power Plant, the Public Works Maintenance Operations facility (Grissum), parts of Ashley Street, adjacent private businesses and the pole yard. Approximately 300 feet of channel will be retrofit with a system of steps and pools that will filter, infiltrate and slow down runoff through the channel. The final system of steps and pools will filter out pollution and reduce runoff from the sites. These measures help improve the health and water quality of Bear Creek.
Work begins with clearing underbrush to access the downstream part of the channel.
Looking downstream, the Forestry Division of the Parks & Recreation Department clears the underbrush and Water Department prepares access to the site.
Looking upstream, access is complete and step pool construction can begin.
Once the site has been cleared (including the invasive Honeysuckle), an access was installed so equipment could reach the downstream end of the project. Flow has been temporarily diverted to an existing roadside channel along Interstate 70. Erosion and sediment control measures are installed. Construction of the step pools can begin.
Looking downstream, various sizes of rock are used to install the step pools.
Pools are constructed to hold water to allow the runoff to infiltrate to the constructed sand layer below the rock pools. The layers of rock and sand along with future plants will remove pollutants from the runoff.
Looking downstream, pools are stepping down to the right.
The "step" between the pools reduces the erosive potential of the water. The "step" is constructed of large rock shaped like a check dam to slow the flow of water and direct it toward the center of the channel. Although the pools look stark now, restoration of the stream channel will be complete when native plants are installed to keep the banks stable, help remove pollutants from runoff and provide a natural aesthetic.
Many steps and pools are yet to be constructed over the next month or so. Meanwhile, shredded mulch is placed to prevent surface erosion. Planting will take place this spring.
US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7,
through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided
partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water
Act. (G11-NPS-12).
US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (G11-NPS-12)
In an effort to protect existing sanitary sewer infrastructure, Public Works is stabilizing portions of the streambank on Bear Creek along the Bear Creek Trail. When sewer lines are undermined by eroding banks, joints can sag causing waste to leak into the creek. By maintaining and protecting the sewer lines, the City can prevent waste from entering our creeks and waterways.
The existing banks were six to ten feet tall, near vertical, continuing to erode and beginning to expose vital sanitary sewer infrastructure. The City contracted with Plan B Development to construct a bank stabilization project. A product called A-Jacks was used to stabilize the toe (or bottom) of the slope. These armour units are available in many sizes. A smaller size was chosen for this project so that it could be installed by a person reducing the need for large machinery. Most alternative solutions would require multiple concrete trucks or dump trucks full of rock to travel up and down the trail. By using A-Jacks, the contractor could minimize the use of large construction equipment and minimize damage to the Bear Creek Trail.
A-Jacks fit together and interlock.
The A-Jacks interlock, creating a solid foundation for the streambank. The streambank is then sloped away from the creek and will be re-vegetated. The roots of vegetation will help to keep the soil from eroding. A special fabric is installed as an interim erosion control measure until the vegetation is established.
Sloping banks with A-Jacks at the bottom.
Erosion control fabric and vegetation will stablize the upper portion of the slope.
Extra A-Jacks were used at this pipe outlet. They are easy to install and will slow the water and prevent erosion.
A-Jacks at pipe outlet with erosion control fabric on the adjacent bank.
Not only will this bank stabilization project protect our sanitary sewer infrastructure, but it will stablize a portion of Bear Creek and prevent continued erosion. All these measures keep our creeks and waterways clean.
