Improved aquatic habitat benefits wildlife and human residents of a key Wisconsin watershed
During the 1960s, many communities lined their rivers with concrete, removing natural riverbanks with the goal of facilitating water conveyance during flooding. Along with negative impacts on fish and wildlife habitats, the concreate made river access unsafe. Our team supported this long-term effort to rehabilitate the Kinnickinnic River by designing habitat improvements.
This phase of the project focused on one of the few sections with natural beds and native banks remaining. Due to low dissolved oxygen levels, lack of flow, and limited diversity of channel morphology, it was unable to support a viable aquatic habitat. To improve this situation, we designed 165 feet of bank stabilization and habitat structures to create a more natural river channel and habitat. We oversaw proper execution of the design, including tree root wads, toe wood, stone, and in-channel habitat boulders. We also treated 1,900 square feet of invasive weeds to improve the overall habitat surrounding the river.
The project resulted in improvements in fish passage to the upper reaches and tributaries of the Kinnickinnic River Watershed as well as increased biodiversity and water quality of the Milwaukee Estuary.
At a Glance
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Heather Schwar, Associate, Technical Discipline Leader, Water Resources (US)
I believe that technical excellence and effective communication are imperative for a successful, long-term project.
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