K140-00-00-X023 is a major maintenance project that will repair a structure failure and integrate environmental enhancements by way of natural stable channel design techniques to restore the channel conveyance capacity of K140-00-00 between Vintage Preserve Parkway and Cypress Creek.
K140-00-00-X023 is not a flood damage reduction project; however, the channel will be widened in some locations and look significantly different once complete due to the anticipated environmental enhancements. The plans call for natural stable channel design features such as:
- Constructed Boulder Riffles
- Natural Sill Logs (to help stabilize the banks)
- Toewood (to help prevent erosion)
- Live stakes and planting of native vegetation
Portions of the channel are considered to be in serious failure and these repairs are necessary to prevent further impact to the channel and surrounding trail system. On-site sourced wood is expected to be used for channel stability and the Flood Control District is committed to minimize impacts to the trees and vegetation in the area.
For public safety reasons, Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve Park users can expect intermittent trail closures as the project progresses. Phase I was completed in December 2020, and Phase II began in February 2021. Additionally, portions of the foot paths along Pillot Gully and Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve Park may be closed due to construction activities and to help protect project staging areas.
The project contractor will access this project from Vintage Preserve Parkway and the anticipated traffic control plan may result in impacts to traffic around the Vintage Preserve Parkway bridge over Pillot Gully for the duration of this project.
Once construction has been completed, a significant tree planting effort will accompany this project. At a public meeting in April 2019, the Flood Control District shared that tree impacts would be minimal in the project area. However, in addition to the repair of the bottom of the natural channel, it became necessary to repair the eroded side slopes of the channel all the way up to the high bank, and additional space within the right-of-way was needed to implement the project, resulting in a need to remove more trees. Also, after rain events in 2020, a smaller area downstream of the original project area was found to have significant erosion and was added to the repair contract.
While the Flood Control District is working to protect as many existing trees as possible, some additional tree loss during or after construction work is possible. The reforestation plan is currently being drafted and will be shared once completed. The Flood Control District will plant a mixture of native hardwood and pine trees along the channel with a density of up to 300 trees planted per acre. Additionally, larger trees up to 20 feet tall may be relocated to and planted along the high bank and trail areas in order to re-establish the forested canopy more quickly. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2021. Reforestation will follow construction and turf establishment.