Home |
About Us |
Priorities |
Latest News |
Water Levels |
Previous Research |
Donate Now |
Reservoir Access |
Calendar |
Photo Album |
Contact Us |
Friends of Jamesville Reservoir |
Community Links |
 |
 |
|
Solutions
Phase 1 - Remove trees and debris causing damning affect along Butternut Creek.
On 9/12/09 the Jamesville Reservoir Volunteer Group, with approximately 20 volunteers, removed fallen trees and debris from Butternut Creek, making it usable again for kayaking and canoeing.
This phase is 95% complete. Old debris held down by trees that were removed will possibly surface in the future and can easily be cleaned out by small work parties.
Phase 2 - Restore the depth at mouth of Butternut Creek to decrease the damning affect of recently deposited sediment.
To solve the severe problems facing the Reservoir, some changes are necessary.
PAST & PRESENT OPTIONS OF SEDIMENT REMOVAL - Restoration of Depth at the Mouth of Butternut Creek
1. Corps of Engineers Proposal - Dredge approximately 30 acres
See Previous Research for details
Advantages: Government funding
Disadvantages: Cost of project $5,950,000. Non-federal share of project $2,043,000. Per Laura Ortiz, Corps of Engineers, project highly unlikely to ever be funded and viable non-federal funding source unidentifiable.
2. Drain the Reservoir approximately 4 feet to expose the sediment on the South end.
Advantage: Lower cost per cubic yard of sediment.
Disadvantages: Difficult to plan due to weather patterns, would require completion during dry season and would limit recreational activities during the Summer months. County Park reluctant to have material deposited on Park land and would interfere with Park activities. Roads and bridge would have to be built over Butternut Creek to remove sediment by dump truck. Difficult to estimate cost due to sediment removal process and clean up of removal path. Difficult environmental permitting process.
3. Hydraulic Dredge (see above picture with blue & white equipment)
Advantages: Draining Reservoir not required. Most environmentally sound method. Larger window of opportunity from weather patterns.
Disadvantages: Closest available sediment deposit area is quarry within County property. County Park reluctant to give permission due to environmental factors. In addition, extremely large dredge machine required to pump material 1/2 mile away (increased cost).
4. Mechanical Dredge (see above picture)
Advantages: Draining Reservoir not required. Low cost equipment.
Disadvantages: Limited amount of material can be moved at any given time. Material can only be moved the distance of reach of excavator. Time consuming process. A lot of time spent barging material back and forth. Disposal area remains an issue. Limited areas barge can work in due to depth.
5. Hydraulic Dredge (pump sediment to new barrier island locations)
Advantages: Draining Reservoir not required. Environmentally sound and cost-effective. Smaller hydraulic dredge needed to pump material shorter distance. New barrier island would eliminate need to take sediment out of Jamesville Reservoir. Lightweight flexible island perimeter system (to be engineered) made up of geotextile fabric and steel pinnings. Island would be landscaped with trees and natural fauna to encourage wildlife. Would protect existing wetland areas and provide new channels for kayaking and recreational activities. Larger window of opportunity from weather patterns.
Disadvantages: Short transitory period to landscape new barrier island.
HOW TO GET STARTED - Donate Now or Contact Us to volunteer
1. Need funding for engineering study to work through the various available options (considering both environment and cost).
2. Once a reasonable cost is established, raise necessary funds to restore the depth and natural attributes of Jamesville Reservoir.
|
|
