Wheeling Drainage Ditch Streambank Stabilization Design

Village of Wheeling

OBJECTIVE

The project involves designing streambank stabilization components, including gabion baskets, stream barbs, coir logs, native plantings, and other green infrastructure, to address severe erosion along the Wheeling Drainage Ditch. Limited right-of-way and existing easements present challenges to implementation. Additionally, HLR assisted with funding applications to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to secure project funding.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is providing design engineering and environmental services for the Wheeling Drainage Streambank Stabilization project in the Village of Wheeling, Cook County. The project aims to repair eroded creek banks, prevent further erosion, reduce sedimentation, and enhance water quality in the Buffalo Creek watershed through the establishment of a native vegetative buffer. Property loss and potential damage to fences along the eastern portion of the project area make stabilization efforts critical.

The project spans approximately 2,500 feet along both sides of the stream between Northgate Parkway and Dundee Road. Stabilization measures include 1,500 feet of gabion baskets ranging from six to twelve feet in height and 1,000 feet of floodplain benching. The gabion baskets will be installed east of the footbridge across the creek to Dundee Road and west of the Northgate Parkway bridge, while floodplain benching will extend 1,200 feet along the banks east of the Northgate Parkway bridge.

HLR’s engineering scope includes streambank stabilization design, preparation of plans and special provisions, contract document development, and topographic and boundary determination surveys for right-of-way and easements. The project also required significant coordination with utility providers to resolve conflicts. Geotechnical borings were conducted by a subconsultant and reviewed by an HLR structural engineer and a gabion manufacturer to ensure site suitability.

Environmental and engineering services included wetland delineation, tree surveys, an IEPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and permitting coordination with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Office of Water Resources (OWR), MWRD, and the North Cook Soil and Water Conservation District.