Team 8: Grand River Rapids

Aaron Vanderhill Jim Barron Jeff Van Laar Tom Marshall

Kayakers and Canoeists have shown interest

Grand Rapids Whitewater

Revitalization of Downtown

Recreational course not only for experienced

kayakers

Background

Return the Grand River to a more natural state

Project Overview

Eliminate dangerous hydraulic at 4th street dam

Design entry and exit locations for kayakers

Project Overview

Increase entry and exit points Partial Replacement of dams Stair Step modification of the

4th Street Dam Reasons

◦ Meets client’s needs◦ Improves fish habitat◦ Other alternatives not feasible

Sediment behind 4th Street Dam

Would look unnatural Greater costs

Final Design

Entry & Exit Points

Increase Usability

Safety

Site Plan

Four Entry and Exit Points

Canal Street Park

Fulton Street

Fish Ladder Park

Ford Museum

Project Location

Flow Rate◦ River used between April and November◦ Low flow = 1,700 cfs

Beautification dams◦ High flow = 50,000 cfs (100 year storm)

Legal issues◦ Design flow of 3,300 cfs

Modeling Decisions

Modeling Accuracy◦ Not taught in class

◦ Rocks & boulders as series of weirs

◦ California Department of Transportation

Modeling Decisions

Stair Step Solution

Safety Hazard

4th Street Dam

Demonstration

Downstream ModificationsBefore After

•Dam modification creates rapids

Dam #4Completely remove and replace with boulders. Create two gaps for kayakers and boaters to pass through.

Dam #3Remove section in middle of dam to allow kayakers to pass through. Add boulders to create natural appearance and rapids.

Dam #2Completely remove the dam to eliminate flooding problems caused upstream by the stair step structure.

Dam #1This dam will remain intact to maintain minimum water level during low flow seasons.

HEC-RAS Results: Low Flow

16750 17250 17750 18250 18750 19250 19750 20250 20750 21250 21750585

590

595

600

605

610

615

620

Low Flow Water Surface Elevation (1,700 cfs)

CurrentModifiedWest LeveeEast Levee

River Station

Wate

r Surf

ace E

levati

on (

ft)

HEC-RAS Results: Design Flow

16750 17250 17750 18250 18750 19250 19750 20250 20750 21250 21750585

590

595

600

605

610

615

620

Design Flow Water Surface Elevation (3,300 cfs)

CurrentModifiedWest LeveeEast Levee

River Station

Wate

r Surf

ace E

levati

on (

ft)

HEC-RAS Results: 100 Year Storm

16750 17250 17750 18250 18750 19250 19750 20250 20750 21250 21750611

612

613

614

615

616

617

618

619

100 yr Water Surface Elevation (50,000 cfs)

CurrentModifiedWest LeveeEast Levee

River Station

Wate

r Surf

ace E

levati

on (

ft)

Total cost of $2,529,000

◦ Site Planning: $67,000◦ Stair-step: $105,000◦ Downstream Dams: $1,774,000◦ Contingency (30%): $583,000

Cost

City of Grand Rapids has approved project idea

Turn our design over to GRWW Raise the funds Final Engineering design

◦ Possible 100 year flood issues because of the stair step Levee analysis Easements

Future of the Project

Claire Schwartz – Industrial Consultant, FTC&H

Chip Richards, Chris Muller (GRWW)

Wendy Ogilvie, FTC&H

Professor De Rooy - Team Advisor

Steve Elliot, Jason VanderKodde, Steve Waalkes, CEAC Reviewers

Acknowledgments