Civil

USACE Kansas City District – Dalbey Bottoms Chute Project, Phase II, Missouri River Shallow Water Habitat Mitigation Project, Atchison County, KS

COASTAL completed Phase II of the Dalbey Bottoms Chute Project, a significant construction restoration effort along the Missouri River in Atchison County, KS. This initiative, in collaboration with the USACE Kansas City District, aimed to improve shallow water habitats for the endangered pallid sturgeon and other wildlife, while also enhancing flood protection for the surrounding areas.

The project involved the creation of two new water channels, or chutes, that connect to the Missouri River, providing a vital habitat for aquatic life. Over 2,210,000 tons of earth were moved in this extensive excavation effort, with materials carefully managed to form new earthen berms totaling 17,000 feet in length. These berms serve as crucial levee protection for adjacent lands.

To construct the chutes and grade control structures, our team installed 24,000 tons of large riprap stones underwater, a challenging task that required precision and careful planning. The use of a temporary jetty helped manage the complexities of marine construction.

Efficiency was key in our approach, with excavation equipment operating in a coordinated manner to handle, segregate, and transfer materials effectively. The excavated soil was repurposed to reinforce the newly constructed levees, and vegetative debris was utilized to stabilize the banks and support the development of wildlife habitats.

Access to the remote project site was facilitated by building two haul roads through local farmlands, which were later removed and the land restored to its original condition. Additionally, the project included the removal of approximately 700 trees to clear the way for construction, with the wood repurposed onsite to create natural habitats.

The completion of the Dalbey Bottoms Chute Project resulted in nearly 20 feet deep and 120 feet wide channels, extending over 3 miles, significantly contributing to the conservation of aquatic life and providing enhanced flood protection. This was the largest chute ever constructed in the Missouri River.