DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

CEE 595W

“Planning and Design of River Structures with Multi-Purpose Objectives”

Mr. A. Juhl

Manager, Division of Planning

IDNR, Office of Water Resources

Abstract: 

Many run-of-river dams in Illinois were constructed decades ago with far different purposes than the dams presently serve.  Yorkville Dam on the Fox River in Kendall County was constructed by the State of Illinois to further a plan for recreational development of the Fox River.  The original design provided for the future construction of a lock system for navigation by recreational vessels.  That plan fell into disfavor and was not fully implemented.  Since that time, the dam has served to provide a local recreational pool, and has also been a contributing factor in several drownings.  Local requests to minimize the drownings have resulted in plans to broaden the objectives of the dam.  The latest design will provide safety improvements, fish and boat passage, infrastructure to support a local park development, and replacement of a stream gage.

Batavia Dam in Kane County on the Fox River is partially failed.  This structure was owned by the City of Batavia and the Batavia Park District and is being transferred to the State of Illinois.  The state seeks to remove this structure for many reasons, including ecosystem restoration benefits, water quality benefits, sediment management, and removal of the partially failed structure.  Local controversy over this plan has led to several design revisions, including the incorporation of a small pond, restoration of Causeway Island, and an attempt to relocate the main channel of the river to reflect the best estimate of how the river might have looked without the dam.

These two projects reflect how river engineering and local interests are incorporated into plans to address issues.  Several design techniques have been used to develop these projects, including 1- and 3-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling, physical modeling, design of jetties, and sediment modeling. 

The modification of Yorkville Dam is expected to go to construction in calendar year 2005.  The removal of Batavia Dam is still in design, and has several local opponents. 

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

4:00 p.m.

Room 1518 Hydrosystems Lab

Everyone Welcome

http://cee.uiuc.edu/areas/hydro/EHHE_Seminar.htm