Stream restoration and bank stabilization plans

Rock Creek Phase I

Rock Creek Phase I is a Bexar County flood control project located in San Antonio, Texas. The existing stream was suffering from extensive bank erosion during moderate storm events. To mediate this, the community brought us on to prepare stream restoration and bank stabilization plans for 4,300 feet of the natural stream.

Throughout the course of construction, adverse weather and flooding became a regular obstacle on day-to-day tasks in Rock Creek. The majority of the working areas didn’t hold constant water, but when rain events deposited water in the channel, it could take up to a week or more to remobilize. Thankfully, our team implemented a FlexaMat to secure problem areas located on slope. After one or two growing seasons, the mat won’t be visible anymore.

We considered a variety of sustainable solutions to restore the banks and prevent further erosion. Ultimately a combination of underbrush thinning, planting of quality vegetation, and limestone blocks were selected to protect the stream banks. Our team also conducted a hydraulic analysis of each alternative to ensure the proposed solutions would not cause an increase to the base flood elevation.

Now, Rock Creek is better able to withstand storm events, and won’t be falling apart any time soon.