Bar BC Creek Restoration

Service Areas

Engineering, Natural Resources

Project Description

The Bar BC Creek Restoration project provides an example of Y2’s ability to use engineering techniques while working within the framework set up by local, state, and federal agencies and alongside other consulting firms, including Alder Environmental.

The project consisted of reestablishing a section of the Bar BC Creek to provide better water flow and wildlife habitat, specifically cutthroat trout spawning habitat, and replacing a culvert passing through the Hansen Levee and discharging into the Gros Ventre River. Prior to design and construction, Y2 conducted a full existing conditions survey, including bathymetry on the pond that had formed behind the inadequately sided culvert. Y2 and Alder Environmental designed a new 1,500 linear foot channel for the Bar BC Creek. The channel design consisted of riffles, hardened riffles, compound pools, and reinforced banks using encapsulated soil lifts. The upper terrace surrounding the creek was graded to allow water to flow into the creek channel and provide space for propagation.

Construction began in December 2019 and was completed in February 2020. The existing culvert was removed and replaced with a 10-foot diameter arch culvert. Y2 and Alder Environmental frequently coordinated with Teton County and the Teton County Floodplain Administrator to acquire all relevant permits including accomplishing a no-rise condition. To ensure the property owner and stakeholders were kept up to date on construction progress, Y2 was onsite daily during construction conducting site inspections.