Project
The primary goal of the erosion control project was to protect and conserve all of Stump Lake Park’s amenities. KLJ developed a solution involving funding, planning and construction to achieve that goal. Neither the park nor the County could fund the work within their budgetary constraints, so KLJ’s team assisted by applying for grants. More than $600,000 was awarded by the ND Outdoor Heritage Fund and ND State Water Commission. With these funds, the project could move forward. Because the park is located primarily on a peninsula, KLJ needed inventive solutions to haul and store the 8,500 tons of rock and 4,000 cubic yards of soil needed for construction. The project was broken into four key steps. First, dead trees were cleared out to make room for construction operations. Second, shoreline was re-shaped to replace eroded soils and re-establish a slope. Third, newly sloped shoreline was lined with large rocks (known as riprap) in a layer that is approximately two feet thick. Finally, existing vegetation was restored in the areas disturbed by construction activities.
Solution
The only road into the park was not structurally strong enough to haul the rock soil without irreparable damage. Solutions diverse as building temporary roads to hauling material over the frozen lake in winter and stockpiling on the shoreline were considered. Considering the limitations on space, road condition, and environmental commitments, KLJ decided the best solution was to first haul in the rock on the existing road over the winter months while the road and the ground under it was frozen. The freezing conditions strengthened the road enough to haul the supplies without major damage. KLJ used the North Dakota winter, which so often impedes construction, as an innovative solution to the problem. Construction on the shoreline followed in the spring and summer.
Results
KLJ created a plan to prevent further erosion and flooding. The plan involved clearing out dead trees, re-shaping the shoreline, supporting the shoreline with a riprap, and planting new vegetation which revitalized the park for the community. The park is now considerably more protected from future erosion and flooding. Thus, the fishing, baseball, skating, and all other activities the park is known for will continue into the foreseeable future.