Over 17 miles of stream restoration reestablished a resilient ecosystem for Katy Prairie
Katy Prairie Stream Mitigation Bank is the first stream mitigation bank in Texas and one of the largest in the world. Working closely with the USACE Galveston District and permitting agencies, we provided ecosystem restoration and stream design services.
Our work included a comprehensive site and watershed assessment to understand flood risk, bank erosion, ecosystem restoration needs and opportunities, and the potential to expand and enhance adjacent wetlands. We developed a comprehensive design to provide flood risk management, and we incorporated a variety of functional elements aimed at supporting local flora and fauna.
When adjacent site analyses revealed kettle wetlands—sand features ideal for supporting a variety of functional habitat types—we provided on-site construction support, engineering plan interpretation, and 3D surface generation for the construction of the channels and the utilization of the kettle wetlands.
The project was expanded from 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) to over 17 miles (27.4 kilometres) of stream restoration, designed within three months using multiple teams. After restoration? The project site weathered Hurricane Harvey, a 500–1,000-year storm event. The restored stream segments endured the intense rainfall without significant erosion, demonstrating the resiliency of natural channel designs.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Restoration Systems
Michael F. Adams, Jr., Principal
At its core, a river is the manifestation of water, sediment and wood, moving across the landscape, driven by gravity.
George Athanasakes, Vice President, Ecosystem Restoration, Environmental Services
We analyze natural processes driving ecological functions and incorporate these processes into designs to create self-sustaining ecosystems.
Josh Gilman, Senior Associate
Humans are merely borrowing this world and its gifts, so I’m passionate about advancing water resources with good stewardship at all levels.
Scott Peyton, Vice President
It’s important to improve accessibility and connections with our streams, rivers and greenways through restoration and enhancement.
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