City of Kansas City, Missouri

2019-2020

RIC and Water Resources Solutions worked together to prepare a study investigating existing conditions and preparing potential solutions to erosion and bank failures along Second Creek West Branch, adjacent to homes within the Tiffany Lakes Subdivision.

The RIC team provided topographic survey, utility coordination, multiple neighborhood meetings, permitting investigation, and FEMA determination. WRS conducted aerial photo analysis of land-use patterns and stream planform changes over time, channel bed profile analysis to determine equilibrium and current elevation, and soils and geologic analysis.

The team used HEC-RAS to prepare one and two-dimensional hydraulic models and utilized HEC-HMS for hydrologic modeling of lake and outlet structure upstream of the project area. This more intensive modeling technique is especially helpful when trying to analyze flow patterns and to identify possible solutions. It removes assumptions about the stream’s path and provides insights into what the flow will do in complex turns and drops — insights a traditional model consisting of only cross sections can miss.

The team prepared five conceptual design options with cost estimates The recommendations focus on providing a stable cross section and slope, restoring the channel banks with native vegetation, and establishing a riparian corridor. They worked with the City to provide ways to phase the preferred alternative in order to fit within City budget constraints.