BCI Engineers and Scientists

BCI investigated and evaluated alternative upland disposal sites for three phases (sediment removal and management feasibility, design and permitting, and bid specification and contractor selection) of sediment removal and restoration of Taylor Creek, a coastal stream flowing into the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). BCI’s scope of work included preparation of permit applications; coordination with local, state, and federal agencies; sediment sampling and characterization; calculation of volume requirements for disposal; engineering design and construction monitoring of upland disposal area; and monitoring and testing during dredging and material placement.

The ultimate goal of this project was to hydraulically remove and temporarily store approximately 200,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediments in one of two temporary upland dredged material management sites located on the St. Lucie Port property. After dewatering, the sediments were hauled to the county landfill for use as cover material. The removal of the sediment should reduce further discharge of fine-grained, organic bearing sediments to the IRL and reestablish both navigation and the sediment traps in Taylor Creek.

The project area consists of the westerly edge of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) right-of-way to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Canal No. C-25 spillway (S-50 structure) and the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District Canal No. 1 (F-1 Spillway). The project is broken down into two reaches: Reach No. 1 is the area between the westerly edge of the ICW channel and the Florida East Coast Railroad (FECRR) Bridge, and Reach No. 2 is the area between the FECRR and the Spillway (S-50 structure) at the C-25 Canal and the submerged weir at the F-1 (North) Canal on the west.

Approximately 120,000 cubic yards of sediment was removed from Reach No. 1. This includes 90,000 cubic yards of sediments from the previously designed navigation channel (100 to 140 feet wide; -12.5 feet MSL) and an additional 30,000 cubic yards north and south of the navigation channel to the shoreline. Reach No. 2 entailed removal of approximately 80,000 cubic yards of sediment to reestablish the design channel depth to approximately -12.5 feet MSL and 140 feet wide. Reach No. 2 also underwent a shoreline restoration that included shoreline stabilization, improvement, and protection.

Specific objectives of the project included:

• Building project consensus through public involvement
• Investigating & recommending innovative sediment dewatering strategies (technologies) & temporary dredged material management site(s)
• Developing a material management strategy, which included material processing, handling & beneficial utilization
• Confirming sediment bathymetry & volumes for removal
• Designing a dredged material management facility, including construction drawings & specifications
• Reevaluating the total project cost
• Preparing & submitting an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP)
• Developing bid specifications & assisting with contractor selection
• Construction monitoring & materials testing (QA/QC) during construction & dredging