HomeMy Public PortalAbout704699 Updated 1/13/2014
MSD Homeowner’s Guide – Stream Stabilization Construction Page 1
Homeowner’s Guide To
Stream Stabilization Construction
Before, During & After
MSD is planning a construction project involving a stream near your property. This document
has been created to help you to understand what to expect before, during and after construction,
as well as what you can do to help the long term success of the project and the water quality in
your stream.
Before Construction
After MSD has made the decision to move forward on a project, there is often two to three years’
worth of work done before construction equipment breaks ground on a stream stabilization
project. Surveyors, engineers, and scientists are usually the first on the scene to map the area and
investigate the stream. This may include areas that are substantially upstream or downstream of
the actual construction site. Since streams act as a system and are constantly changing, what’s
happening upstream or downstream may affect what’s happening at the project site.
Once the problem is fully understood, then a solution is designed and preliminary plans drawn.
These plans are used to communicate with your municipality and other agencies such as the
United States Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources, in order to apply for
permits necessary for stream construction. You may be contacted by an engineer or invited to
attend a meeting about the project. Please try to attend or contact MSD to discuss any questions
you might have or any particular needs such as pets in your yard or a sprinkler system. If your
property will be affected by the construction, MSD may talk to you about temporary construction
easements to get equipment to the stream or to have enough room to build the project. If there is
a new sewer involved, MSD may request a permanent easement for the purpose of maintaining
the sewer pipe.
Once the project design and construction plans are complete, the project will go out to bid and a
qualified construction contractor will be selected. If your property is adjacent to the construction,
the contractor will notify you, usually in writing, a week or two before they begin work.
During Construction
The construction process is rarely pleasant for those living nearby. MSD and contractors will do
what they can to minimize disruptions to those affected by construction, but the reality is that the
ground will be dug up, piles of soil and rock and other materials will be present, vegetation will
be removed, and equipment will be parked at the site. An MSD Inspector will be assigned to the
project and is your main resource for any questions or concerns that come up during
construction. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, and other scheduling factors
such as spring or fall planting windows, construction can take six to twelve months from start to
finish. However, portions of the project may be complete within a few months. Talk to the
MSD Inspector to get more details about the part of the project near your home.
Updated 1/13/2014
MSD Homeowner’s Guide – Stream Stabilization Construction Page 2
Trees are always a concern during construction.
Especially with a project along a stream, there is
usually no way to do the construction without
sacrificing some trees. The contractor will be
required to protect trees that are not planned to be
removed. This may include putting fencing around
them to keep equipment out, trimming limbs so
they are out of the way of the equipment moving
through, and “root pruning” to cut back roots that
may be disturbed during the digging process. The
tree does much better having clean cuts along roots
and branches than if they are ripped by equipment.
Stream stabilization projects are each unique, so the process will depend on the features to be
installed in the project. Typically, projects involve the following construction processes:
1. The contractor will clear enough space to be able to construct the project. This involves
heavy equipment removing trees, shrubs, and vegetation.
2. Heavy equipment may be brought in to dig or “excavate” the ground in order to build
features that go below the surface. For example, the contractor may excavate a trench in
order to install a pipe, or excavate at the bottom or “toe” of the creek bank in order to
install rock.
3. Each of the project features will be built
and excavated areas will be filled to rebuild
the ground surface.
4. Restoration of planted areas.
a. Areas along the top of a stream bank
are usually replanted with native
vegetation that will help hold the bank
and grow into a natural buffer.
Generally, the contractor will put down
seed then install an erosion control
blanket. If called for in the plans, small
plants or trees will be planted.
b. If “livestakes” are used in the project,
the contractor will drive them into the
ground or between rocks, or bundle
them like with brush mattresses. Don’t be dismayed by what looks like a bunch of
sticks. These are live trees and shrubs that are dormant (like they are asleep) when
they are installed, but they will sprout in the spring and eventually grow into full-
sized shrubs and trees!
c. Yard areas used for accessing the stream are usually replanted with sod. Common
ground areas are usually replanted with grass seed and covered with straw.
5. Restoration of pavement is usually the last step as the contractor works back from the
creek. Any driveways, sidewalks, and streets damaged during construction will be
restored.
Figure 1 - Construction Access with Tree Protection
Fence (photo courtesy of Intuition & Logic)
Figure 2 - Bank stabilization during construction (photo
courtesy of Intuition & Logic)
MSD Hom
After
Once the
evidence
see erosio
and rock
sticking o
summer,
the erosio
sprouting
summer w
years afte
should be
of shrubs
grow mo
smaller th
faster it w
importan
lots or ya
create a s
and prov
Here are
then 1 ye
Post C
Dependin
of time, b
just as th
maintena
During th
property
Figure 4 - B
meowner’s Guid
Constr
e area is plan
of plants. A
on control b
. Livestakes
out of the gr
grasses shou
on control bl
g from the liv
will show m
er constructi
e well establ
s and grasses
ore slowly. A
he tree is wh
will grow. T
nt role in hold
ards before it
screen for ne
ide shade an
photos of th
ear later (pho
Constru
ng on the pro
but ultimatel
hey always h
ance once the
hat critical e
owners in o
Bank stabilizatio
de – Stream St
ruction
nted, there m
At the surfac
lanket with
s will look li
round, like in
uld be sprou
lanket and le
vestakes. Th
more growth,
ion, the nativ
lished with a
s. Trees will
As a general
hen it is insta
The plants no
ding the ban
t flows into
eighboring p
nd habitat for
he bank stabi
otos courtesy
uction M
oject, the con
ly the proper
ave. Most n
ey get establ
stablishmen
rder to give
on summer after
tabilization Con
may be little
ce, you may
small plants
ike twigs
n Figure 3. B
uting through
eaves will be
he following
and by three
ve vegetation
a thick growt
l of course
rule, the
alled, the
ot only play
nk in place, b
the stream.
property own
r land and aq
ilization proj
y of Intuition
Mainten
ntractor may
rty owner wi
native plants
lished, which
t period, how
the stream s
construction
nstruction
By
h
e
g
e
n
th
an
but they also
Other benef
ners, slow th
quatic anima
ject above d
n & Logic).
nance
y come back
ill need to m
put along th
h usually tak
wever, they
stabilization
Figure 3 –
through ro
Figure 5
o help to clea
fits of vegeta
e water dow
als.
during the su
k to water pla
maintain any
he stream ba
kes one to th
could benefi
project the b
– After planting
ock
- Bank stabiliza
U
an rainwater
ation are to p
wn to help pre
ummer after c
anted areas f
plantings on
ank will requ
hree years fo
fit from a litt
best chance
seed under blan
ation one year lat
Updated 1/13/
P
from parkin
provide or re
event erosio
construction
for a short pe
n their prope
uire little
or most plant
le help from
of thriving.
nket and livestake
ter
/2014
Page 3
ng
e-
on,
n and
eriod
erty
ts.
m the
es
Updated 1/13/2014
MSD Homeowner’s Guide – Stream Stabilization Construction Page 4
The following are some things the property owner can do, and avoid, to help give the stream
stabilization project the best chance of thriving:
DO contact the MSD Inspector if you feel there is an issue with the quality of materials or
workmanship of what is or was constructed, as this is under warrantee for the first year.
DO water sod and trees in your yard as you would normally.
DO water native planting areas during prolonged dry periods, especially during the first
growing season, to enhance plant health and appearance.
DO think about water pollution. The fact is that rainwater that falls on your property will
either flow directly to the stream or to a street or yard inlet, where it flows, untreated, into the
stream. So, anything on the ground in your yard or on your street has the potential to cause
water pollution – causing health hazards and reducing the ability of the stream to support aquatic
life. Common sources of water pollution include over fertilizing yards, yard waste dumped in
the stream or inlets, pet waste left on the ground and soap used for washing cars. See MSD’s
website http://www.stlmsd.com/educationoutreach/phase2/Residential for more information
about these and other sources of water pollution and what you can do to help the water quality in
the St. Louis area (and all points downstream).
DO keep an eye out for invasive plant species that could quickly overrun the young natives.
Information about how to identify and control invasive plants can be found at the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC) webpage http://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/problem-plants-
and-animals/invasive-plants.
DO consider the benefits to your property and community that a healthy stream corridor can
bring. If you would like to take a more active role in managing the natural areas along the
stream, the Missouri Department of Conservation has information at: http://mdc.mo.gov/your-
property or contact the St. Louis Regional Office at 636-441-4554. You could also join or create
a stream team to get more involved in stream health and conservation. Find information at:
http://www.mostreamteam.org/
DO NOT dump anything on stream banks. Yard waste such as grass clippings and
branches, broken concrete, tires, and other waste materials are sometimes dumped on banks
because landowners mistakenly think it will help reduce erosion. In reality, these practices make
the erosion worse by killing plants whose roots can hold the soil. Rainwater will run under the
material washing soil out as it moves through. Often the damage is not noticed until after large
holes are washed out and the dumped material falls into the hole.
DO NOT put fertilizer on native planting areas. It is not necessary, leads to weed growth,
and harms water quality in the stream.
DO NOT use herbicides such as Roundup to remove large sections of vegetation. Careful
spot use to get rid of invasive plants might be warranted. See above for information on how to
identify and control invasive plants.
DO NOT mow native planting areas or cut down shrubs and trees. See the link above or
discuss with your local MDC conservationist if you would like to take a more active role in
managing the native plantings along the stream.