Big Horn Riverbank Bioengineering Design and Implementation

Service Areas

Civil Engineering, Natural Resources

Project Description

In 2017, the Big Horn River flooded just north of Worland exposing a 24-inch sewer outfall line to the City Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 465 linear feet of sewer line was repaired and rip-rapped under an Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit. Y2 was contracted to design and implement revegetation or “bioengineered armor” for the existing riprap along the river. Y2 designed a plan that incorporates bioengineered armor that meets the Best Practices for Public Assistance 406 Mitigation vegetated riprap guidelines.

Y2, in concert with the construction contractor, installed the necessary gravel, cobbles, topsoil, willow cuttings, and other vegetation as designed to complete the project. Y2 performed construction management and installation of specialized features to mitigate the impact of erosional forces of the Big Horn River. The plan provided quantities and placement of materials sources and species of vegetation; and plans for maintenance to ensure successful revegetation of the shoreline. Local willows and cottonwoods were harvested from native stock along the river.