Banks Avenue Regenerative Stream

The City of Knoxville contracted S&ME to develop plans, specifications, and bid documents for the removal of a deteriorated storm drain from an approximately 200-foot reach of an un-named tributary of Second Creek. A straight-forward pipe removal and conventional stream restoration would have met the goal of daylighting the stream. To achieve greater benefits, S&ME elected to use a new approach called “Regenerative Stream Restoration” in the design.

Regenerative Stream Restoration is a new design approach intended to improve water quality, riparian habitat, and baseflow and infiltration rates. The completed project includes a regenerative stream with a low-flow channel, pools, riffles, and a low floodplain. The low floodplain allows frequent stormwater contact with riparian areas to filter particulates and pollutants, such as nitrates from fertilizers, and provides increased exposure to ultraviolet light to promote bacteria reduction. A subsurface layer of sand and sawdust offers an initial carbon source to remove nitrates and promote infiltration.

S&ME was responsible for managing the work of two sub-consultants during the design process. The design process included surveying (subcontracted), hydrologic and hydraulic analysis (including 2-dimensional and continuous simulation modeling), evaluation of alternatives, preparation of civil design documents for the pipe removal and stream restoration, preparation of landscape architecture plans (subcontracted), and assistance with the bidding and construction contract administration process.