HomeMy WebLinkAboutM_SEPA DNS Reponse to City_Broodstock_210115_v1.pdf
700 Fifth Avenue | PO Box 34018 | Seattle, WA 98124-4018 | 206-684-3000 | seattle.gov/utilities 1
November 18, 2020 Electronic Transmittal: vdolbee@rentonwa.gov
Vanessa Dolbee
Planning Director
City of Renton
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Subject: Cedar River Sockeye Hatchery Broodstock Collection Facility Replacement Project
SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS)
Response to City of Renton October 22, 2020 Comments
Dear Ms. Dolbee:
Thank you for reviewing the SEPA checklist and Determination of Non-Significance for the Cedar River
Sockeye Hatchery Broodstock Collection Facility (BCF) Replacement Project. This letter provides responses
to the City of Renton’s October 22, 2020 comments. The City’s comments are included below in bold, and
SPU responses follow.
1. A Zero Rise Floodway analysis shall be completed to meet the City’s flood regulations, RMC 4-3-050,
and The City of Renton’s Storm Water Draining Manual requirements. Mitigation should be implemented
to ensure the project does not result in flood level rise or impact any downstream properties.
Consistent with the requirements outlined in Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050 and City of Renton’s
2017 Surface Water Design Manual, an engineering analysis was completed evaluating whether the project
would affect the Base Flood Elevation. The analysis was conducted following the 2013 Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) guidance document to ensure that placement of the BCF weir would not cause
any increase in flood levels within the Cedar River floodplain during the occurrence of the base (100-year)
flood discharge. This analysis incorporated site conditions following the early 2020 river flood event and will
be included with the project’s City of Renton shoreline permit application. Following the City of Renton’s
2017 Surface Water Design Manual and the FEMA regulations, the analysis findings demonstrate a no-rise
effect on the 1-percent annual chance flood; Because the design avoids impacts, no additional mitigation is
proposed.
2. The SEPA states that imported material would be used to prevent scour only at the concrete sill and
improved boat ramp. The City requests that SPU evaluates the potential for increased scour along the
banks of the Cedar River through the entire project area due to the addition of the new facilities and
potential changes in flow patterns around these facilities. Once the scour study is completed suggested
mitigation should be implemented to prevent scour along the banks of the river.
The replacement BCF is designed to avoid or minimize scour within the project area. Per page 30 of the SEPA
checklist, Attachment A - Vicinity Map presents a general project area where both permanent facilities and
temporary construction activities (within SDOT ROW beneath the I405 bridge) will occur. Page 31 of the
SEPA checklist, Attachment B – Project Layout provides a closer view of the final project component
locations.
700 Fifth Avenue | PO Box 34018 | Seattle, WA 98124-4018 | 206-684-3000 | seattle.gov/utilities 2
On the north side of the river, there is an existing rock wall that will not be disturbed, and the proposed new
facilities should not change the scour potential that currently exists along the wall. The northwest side near
the I405 bridge will only be used for construction staging/access and will remain the same as is now, thus,
no significant changes to existing scour potentials at that location are anticipated. Along the south side of
the river, most of the improvements occur above the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). The project
proposes minor changes that include minor widening of the access road, shifting the existing 20 ft (+/-) boat
ramp 20 ft east and installing a concrete retaining wall and key wall to prevent its undermining. Additionally,
proposed 8- to 16-inch diameter boulders will protect the up and down stream banks. This is an improved
design compared to existing conditions.
As part of the 60% design package, a scour analysis was prepared by our design consultant for the project.
“Technical Memorandum No. 3 - Scour Analysis – Cedar River Broodstock Collection Facility (November 19,
2019)” is attached for your review. Per Section 3.0 of the document:
“The study shows that the potential scour hole depth at the project location would be up to
6 feet upstream of the facility and 10 feet downstream of the facility.”
Thus, designers calculated the required 8 to 16-inch diameter boulder sizes to protect the riverbed and
shoreline based on the river velocities, natural substrate, and scour potential.
3. The SEPA checklist identified the potential for sediment and debris to back up behind the new concrete
sill and picket panel system. While the proposed debris deflector may be effective at redirecting some of
the debris, the City has concerns about the potential for flooding in the area should the deflector either
become damaged during a heavy rain event or be less effective than expected at the time of installation.
The City requests that SPU propose additional mitigation to ensure that sediment and debris do not build
up behind the facility and cause damage to nearby or downstream properties.
The existing BCF deflectors consist of two aluminum panels with vertical bars. The deflectors are installed at
an angle to the flow, just upstream of the existing BCF to prevent debris from impacting the adult collection
box. The intent is to utilize the existing BCF deflectors with the new BCF facility as they are in good condition
and meet the needs of the proposed improvements. The existing deflectors will be installed based on the
existing configuration and current procedures such as driving “T” posts through the deflector anchor
cylinders and into the riverbed. The installation and general location of the BCF deflectors will remain the
same for the new BCF. The existing deflectors have provided adequate protection with little impact to the
facility or accumulation of debris with proper maintenance from the operators.
Next, the debris deflectors are in the river during BCF operation from September through November, and
there is 24-hour on-site oversight during this operation period. Should the debris deflectors become
damaged, on-site staff will follow written standard operating processes (SOP) to respond accordingly. SPU,
WDFW and the design engineer of record will develop these SOPs as we finalize the design and construction
of the facility. SPU will also utilize adaptive management practices during use of the proposed BCF to
improve all facility SOPs. To date, there are no known cases of damage to nearby or downstream properties
because of naturally occurring debris passing through the current facility.
700 Fifth Avenue | PO Box 34018 | Seattle, WA 98124-4018 | 206-684-3000 | seattle.gov/utilities 3
Lastly regarding sediment transport, the riverbed directly upstream of the replacement BCF will rise to meet
the elevation of the sill (refer to response to comment 1 regarding no-rise effect to the floodway overall,
which accounts for this sediment accumulation). Once a consistent elevation is established, sediment
transport will continue through the picket panels when they are raised from September to November.
Between December and July, maintenance of the picket panels may occur on an up-to-weekly basis to
remove accumulated bedload. This would require raising the picket panels a few inches off the lowered
position to dislodge accumulated sediment and debris and allow flow to pass the bedload downstream. This
recurring maintenance will be refined through adaptive management practices once the facility is in
operation. Importantly, the bedload is naturally occurring; the BCF does not change the amount of sediment
transported downstream by the Cedar River, therefore, impacts to downstream properties are not
anticipated.
4. SPU should consider the ongoing City of Renton bank stabilization project located just upstream of the
project site. The embankment located on the south side of the river experienced extreme erosion and
score during the last (and most recent) flooding event. This bank remains unstable. The City is currently
working on a project to stabilize portions of this bank. The instability of this riverbank should be
considered when evaluating impact to and on your project.
SPU acknowledges the bank stabilization effort upstream of the project site, and that mass-wasting events
within the Cedar River may potentially impact all downstream resources, including the BCF. The
replacement BCF has been designed to withstand the 100-year flood event.
The following comments address items that will need to be coordinated with the City during the permit
and construction process for the replacement broodstock collection facility.
• The Agreement between the City of Renton and Seattle Public Utilities expires on August 21,
2023. A new agreement needs to be negotiated and executed prior to construction
improvements.
• As the Broodstock Facility is located on grant funded property, Seattle Public Utilities’ proposed
expanded use of the property must be approved by the granting agency, the State Recreation and
Conservation Office, prior to entering into a new agreement.
• At a minimum, the following documents are required to be updated (and included in the new
Agreement):
o Access and Use Area, including legal description of Renton property and map and
delineation of WSDOT property (Exhibit A of executed Second Memorandum of
Agreement regarding Cedar River Access Facility and Broodstock Collection, as Amended).
o Cedar River Sockeye Hatchery Broodstock Collections Operations Safety Plan (Exhibit B of
executed Second Memorandum of Agreement regarding Cedar River Access Facility and
Broodstock Collection, as Amended).
o Access Facility Management Plan dated July 30, 2008 (included as Exhibit C of executed
Second Memorandum of Agreement regarding Cedar River Access Facility and Broodstock
Collection, as Amended).
• Any proposed mitigation shall be approved by the City and the Recreation and Conservation
Office.
700 Fifth Avenue | PO Box 34018 | Seattle, WA 98124-4018 | 206-684-3000 | seattle.gov/utilities 4
In support of a new or amended agreement for continued use of the site, SPU has reviewed the existing
documents, prepared potential draft revisions, and discussed internally how to initiate Memorandum of
Agreement negotiations. Leslie Betlach suggested that negotiating a new agreement is likely to take one
year, including coordination with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. SPU will submit
the materials listed above, including any proposed onsite mitigation, in a timely manner so that a new
agreement can be in place prior to the proposed Q2 2022 construction start date.
Upon completion of this project specific SEPA process (November 2020), SPU plans to submit the City of
Renton shoreline permit application, consistency analysis, and supporting documents. We believe that
these materials provide additional and helpful detail and will respond to some of the City’s technical
questions. We look forward to answering any additional questions as those materials are reviewed.
SPU acknowledges and appreciates the interagency coordination over the past 10 years in support of the
BCF, which is a critical component of the Landsburg Mitigation Agreement and Cedar River Watershed
Habitat Conservation Plan and provides engaging educational opportunities to area residents. We look
forward to continuing this collaboration into the future, for the benefit of our communities and the
environment.
Respectfully,
Fernando Platin (Digitally Signed)
SPU BCF Project Manager
Cc: Betty Meyer – SPU SEPA Responsible Official
Clayton Antieau – SPU Permitting and Environmental Review
C. E. “Chip” Vincent, CED Administrator: cvincent@rentonwa.gov
Ron Straka, Utility Systems Director: rstraka@rentonwa.gov
Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator: kbeymer@rentonwa.gov
Joe Farah, Utility Engineering Manager: jfarah@rentonwa.gov
Leslie Betlach, Parks Planning and Natural Resources Director: lbetlach@rentonwa.gov
Erica Schmitz, Parks Planning Manager: eschmitz@rentonwa.gov
Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner: amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Rev. 1 / November 2019 1 McMillen Jacobs Associates
Technical Memorandum
Technical Memorandum 003
To: Michael Norton, PE
Seattle Public Utilities
Project: Cedar River Broodstock Collection Facility
(BCF)
From: Derek Nelson, PE
McMillen Jacobs Associates
cc: File
Prepared
by:
Abil Nazari, Ph.D.
Kevin Jensen, P.E.
McMillen Jacobs Associates
Job No.: 18-101
Date: November 19, 2019
Subject: Scour Analysis – Cedar River Broodstock Collection Facility
1.0 Introduction
The major aim of the Broodstock Collection Facility (BCF) Replacement Project is to replace the existing
Broodstock Collection facility on the Cedar River because it is under-performing in collection of
migrating Sockeye Salmon and is a safety concern for operating personnel. As part of the design process,
consideration of scour near the facility is important to ensuring a lasting facility.
Scour can be defined as the process by which the particles of soil or rock around an abutment or pier of a
bridge or other structure are eroded and removed to a certain depth (called the scour depth). For rivers and
open channels with bed material coarser than sand, armoring and slope reduction processes may occur
simultaneously. Analysis must be performed to determine which will provide the limiting factor. There
are many approaches and equations available to compute the scour depth in rivers and open channels. The
scour depth can easily be obtained after a flood by finding the depth of the scour with reference to the
surroundings or existing structures. If this is not possible, the mean depth of scour may be easily obtained
by mathematical formulas for natural streams in the alluvial depth. Determining potential scour depth is
an important first step in designing a stable -in-stream facility.
1.1 Purpose
This Technical Memorandum (TM) describes the work completed to determine possible scour hole depths
within the Cedar River channel (project location in Figure 1) during the occurrence of the base (100-year)
flood discharge and includes additional scope of work to perform a scour analysis for the project. The TM
also includes an additional design for engineered scour holes if required to prevent major scour issues at
the proposed facility. This TM also includes discussion of the riprap design criteria according to the scour
investigation for the project location.
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Figure 1. Scour monitoring site location on the lower Cedar River
2.0 Methodology
2.1 Local Scour Analysis
Cascade Environmental Services (CES) has conducted two previous studies on streambed scour in the
Cedar River [1]. CES utilized buried neutrally buoyant radio transmitters in an effort to determine the
minimum flow at which stream bed scour occurs. Data from recovered accelerometers suggests that initial
streambed mobilization occurs when flows reach approximately 2,250 cfs at the Renton Gage.
Accordingly, the Instream Flow Commission (IFC) decided to increase the existing scour threshold from
1,800 cfs to 2,200 cfs (USGS Renton gage). Based on the CES investigation results and using the HEC-
RAS flood model survey results for the base (100-year) flood discharge [2], this TM improves the
applicability of the study results and provides a supplemental study element which addresses potential
scour hole depths at the proposed facility.
The principal references for design of mid-channel structures for scour such as at bridge piers are:
· National Cooperative Highway Research Program Synthesis 5 (1970),
· C. R. Neill (1973),
· Federal Highway Administration, Training and Design Manual (1975),
· Federal Highway Administration (1980), and
· S. C. Jain (1981) [3].
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The numerous empirical relationships for computing scour in rivers, open channels and at bridge piers
include one or more of the following hydraulic parameters: pier width, pier skewness, flow depth,
velocity, and size of sediment. The many relations available are further broken down by Jain (1981) to
two different approaches: (1) regime for degradational scour, and (2) rational for scour around pier.
Degradational scour is the general removal of sediment from the river bottom by the flow of the river.
This sediment removal and resultant lowering of the river bottom is a natural process, but may remove
large amounts of sediment over time. Regime equations are supported by field measurement methods. In
gravel bed rivers, bed sills are used to limit bed degradation and to control erosion in the proximity of
bridge piers or in upstream and downstream channels of dam stilling basins.
Scour prediction equations for upstream and downstream scour have been proposed by researchers
(Bormann and Julien 1991; Gaudio et al. 2000; Lenzi et al. 2003a, b; D’Agostino and Ferro 2004; Marion
et al. 2004; Comiti et al. 2005; Ben Meftah and Mossa 2006; Marion et al. 2006; Pagliara and Kurdistani
2013). However, almost all these equations are developed for unsubmerged or partially submerged weirs
or sills, downstream of which scouring is a result of free over fall plunging jets (or partially submerged
impinging jets) [3,4,5].
For a fully submerged weir, flow regimes over the weir can be classified as: (1) surface jet, (2) surface
wave, (3) breaking wave(or surface jump), and (4) impinging jet (Wu and Rajaratnam 1996) [6,7]. The
first three regimes can be collectively named the surface-flow regime; for these, the flow remains as a jet
at the surface in the downstream channel, with its thickness increasing downstream because of turbulent
mixing.
Assuming constant relative density of sediment and fluid viscosity, a dimensionless expression for the
equilibrium scour depth around the submerged weir in a uniform sediment can be presented as follow:
for upstream: = 0.384
.+ 0.758 (1)
= 1.719
.+ 3.246 (2)
for downstream: = 0.592
.+ 1.358 (3)
= 3.608
.+ 5.086 (4)
where:
dsu = scour depth at upstream of the weir (ft)
lsu = scour length at upstream of the weir (ft)
dsd = scour depth at downstream of the weir (ft)
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lsd = scour length at downstream of the weir (ft)
hc = critical depth flow over weir (ft); the flow depth over sill can be estimated with the formula of
the critical flow depth, ℎ=
!"
#$%
(5)
where:
q= design flow discharge per unit width (ft2/s)= 8051.5
So= the initial bed slope (ft/ft)= 0.0001
Vave.= mean velocity at river (ft/s)= 8.9
∆=’(’)
’), ρs= sediment density= 0.1654 (lb/ft3), ρs= water density= 0.0624 (lb/ft3)
g= Acceleration due to gravity (32.2 ft/s2)
Based on the foregoing, the calculated scour depth and length at the project location are presented in
Table 1.
Table 1. Local Scour Depth and Length at the Project Location
Upstream Downstream
ds (ft) 5 9
ls (ft) 20 32
2.2 General Scour Analysis
Per NRCS (2007), the total scour depth needed for design of hydraulic structures is an additive
combination of several different types of scour, including local scour and general scour. Local scour has
already been described, and results of local scour under existing conditions are provided in Table 1 above.
General scour, which reflects changes in bed elevation due to reach-scale erosion, is provided in NRCS
(2007) by the following equation:
z!= T − -. (6)
where:
T = thickness of the active layer of the bed (ft)
-. = smallest armor material size (ft)
NRCS (2007) provides relationships of T and -. in terms of the porosity of bed material, flow depth,
energy slope, shear velocity, median grain size within the reach, and other variables. Assuming a 100-
year flow depth of 13.41 feet, an energy slope of 0.00113 ft/ft, a D50 of 14 mm, and a fraction of bed
material equal to or coarser than that calculated for Dx of 28%, the calculated general scour depth is
approximately 1.0 feet. Total scour depth for design purposes is provided below in Table 2.
Seattle Public Utilities – Broodstock Collection Facility Scour Analysis
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Table 2. Total Scour Depth and Length at the Project Location
Upstream Downstream
zt (ft) 6 10
ls (ft) 20 32
2.3 Riprap Design
In 1998, based on 2017-2018 post-dredged Cedar River scour monitoring report, the Seattle District of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers implemented the Cedar River Section 205 Flood Damage Reduction
Project to provide 100-year flood protection along the lowermost 1.25 miles of the Cedar River (USACE,
1997) [5]. The project included dredging approximately 158,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river
channel and construction of adjacent floodwalls and levees. Since 1998, the City of Renton (City) has
assumed responsibility for annual monitoring of sediment accumulation and flood protection levels
through the reach. To fulfill this obligation, the City retained Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) to
survey cross-sections along the lower two miles of the river (Figure 1) and evaluate remaining sediment
storage capacity.
NHC was retained by the City 22 times (1991, 1997 to 2012, and 2014 to 2018) to survey
approximately 40 channel cross-sections along the lower two miles of the Cedar River. In 2001, NHC
prepared a detailed report that investigated past rates of sediment accumulation and predicted future
changes to the channel profile (NHC, 2001). One of the objectives of this study was to estimate the
allowable bed profile, defined as the average channel bed profile computed at 100-year flood levels. As a
result, to help the City assess when to begin permit applications for the next dredging, a warning bed
profile was defined 1.5 feet below the allowable bed profile.
More recently, Tetra Tech has conducted hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for the City as part of a
recertification effort for the Cedar River Section 205 Levee System (Tetra Tech, 2017; Tetra Tech, 2018).
An updated flood frequency analysis, utilizing 17 years of additional gage records, was used to replace
flood frequency discharges computed by King County’s Department of Natural Resources (King County,
2000). The new frequency analysis yielded a 100-year discharge of 10,900 cfs, which was adopted to
replace the County’s previous estimate of 12,000 cfs (Tetra Tech, 2017).
Based on the 2018 bed profile comparison between Tetra Tech (2018) and NHC (2001), there is room to
store approximately 59,500 and 99,500 cubic yards of sediment within the revised warning and allowable
limits, respectively. For comparison, the respective storage capacities were 63,600 and 103,000 cubic
yards in 2017. The annualized volume of sediment deposited, eroded, or dredged in the reach downstream
from Williams Avenue is summarized in Appendix A. For reference, the maximum mean daily and
maximum instantaneous flows that were recorded during the previous 12-month period are also listed.
The computed average sediment deposition rate downstream of Williams Avenue, since 1998, is
approximately 8,100 cubic yards per year. If sediment were to deposit at this average annual rate, the
warning and allowable bed profiles would be effectively reached in approximately 7 and 12 years,
respectively. However, the remaining storage may be effectively full over a shorter period if the river
Seattle Public Utilities – Broodstock Collection Facility Scour Analysis
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experiences “above average” flood seasons (e.g., 2007 and 2011, when 21,200 and 19,200 cubic yards of
sediment were deposited, respectively).
Currently, the channel downstream from Williams Avenue has room to store approximately 99,500 cubic
yards of sediment before it can no longer safely contain the 100-year flood (i.e., until the bed profile
reaches the allowable bed profile). If sediment were to deposit at the average rate of 8,100 cubic yards per
year, it will effectively reach the warning and allowable bed profiles in approximately 7 and 12 years,
respectively.
2.3.1 Design Guidelines
Two methods or approaches have been used historically to evaluate a material’s resistance to particle
erosion. These methods are the permissible velocity approach and the permissible tractive force (shear
stress) approach. Under the permissible velocity approach the channel is assumed stable if the computed
mean velocity is lower than the maximum permissible velocity. The tractive force (boundary shear stress)
approach focuses on stresses developed at the interface between flowing water and materials forming the
channel boundary. Permissible velocity procedures were first developed in the 1920’s. In the 1950’s
permissible tractive force procedures became recognized, based on research investigations conducted by
the Bureau of Reclamation.
Design Relationships
The hydrodynamic force of water flowing in a channel is known as the tractive force. The basic premise
underlying riprap design based on tractive force theory is that the flow-induced tractive force should not
exceed the permissible or critical shear stress of the riprap [8]. Assuming a specific gravity of 2.50,
equations (7) and (8) can be used to determine D50 of the riprap by the tractive stress method. Use of a
design method based on tractive stress is still preferred for final design. The following equations use
tractive stress design guidelines:
-/0(23) = 14.2 67 ℎ89:;69 /=# (7)
where:
D50 = median riprap size in (ft)
SF = stability factor, Table 3
hmean = maximum section depth (ft)
Se = average energy grade line slope (ft/ft)
K1 = [1-{sin2 θ /sin2 φ }] 0.5 = bank angle modification factor, Figure 3
θ = bank angle with horizontal, degrees
φ = riprap material angle of repose, degrees, Figure 2
-/0(>) = 0.0059?99@$/(ℎ89:;0./=##./) (8)
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where:
D50 = median riprap size in (m)
hmean = maximum section depth (m)
Vdeep = the average velocity in deep of the main channel (m/s)
Figure 2. Optimal Riprap Side Slope for Given Size Riprap
Seattle Public Utilities – Broodstock Collection Facility Scour Analysis
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Figure 3. Bank Angle Correction Factor (k1) Nomograph
The stability factor, SF, is used to reflect the level of uncertainty in the hydraulic conditions at a particular
site. The stability factor is used to increase the design rock size when these conditions come to bear. The
design rock size (D50) increases linearly with the stability factor. Table 3 presents guidelines for selection
of an appropriate value for the stability factor.
Table 3. Criteria for Selection of the Stability Factor
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Using values of mean depth and velocity at the BCF location that are borrowed from the 100-year no-rise
HEC-RAS model, results of Equations 7 and 8 are summarized in Table 4 below. From the table, the
estimated stable D50 ranges from about 0.23 feet to 0.34 feet, or from about 2.8 inches to 4.1 inches.
Table 4. Design Parameters Riprap Protection at Project Location
Equ. SF hmean Se θ ϕ K1 Vdeep D50
(6) 1.4 13.41 ft 0.00113 3:1 41.5 0.876 --- 4.1 in
(7) --- 4.09 m --- 3:1 41.5 0.876 2.71 m/s 2.8 in
In addition to the methods just described, the well-known Shield’s approach was also undertaken. With
this method, the incipient grain size is given by:
- =
A
A∗(C (C) (9)
In this equation, D is the critical bed shear stress, D ∗ is the dimensionless Shield’s parameter, and EF and
E are the specific weight of sediment and water, respectively. Assuming a Shield’s parameter value of
0.044 for medium gravels, a specific gravity of sediment of 2.65, a depth of water during the 100-year
flow of 13.41 feet, and a bed slope equal to the energy slope of 0.00113 yields an incipient grain size of
2.5 inches, which matches well with the values presented in Table 4.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the larger of the two D50’s presented in Table 4 is quite close to the D100 of the
native material found in the Cedar River near the project location. To prohibit mobilization of the D50
particle size class, an additional factor of safety FOS of 2.0 has been applied, such that the effective D50
used for design shall be 8.3 inches.
Rock Gradation
The gradation of stones in riprap revetment affects the riprap’s resistance to erosion. The stone should be
reasonably well graded throughout the riprap layer thickness. After a D50 has been determined for the
location, the gradation should be stated using the guidelines in Table 5.
Table 5. Riprap Gradation Guidelines
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Normally a gradation envelope is specified to allow for more flexibility in manufacturing the material to
meet specified gradations. For designing riprap in the lower Cedar River, Figure 4 represents the material
gradation. Using this gradation class, a standard design size can be selected, if design criteria and
economic considerations permit.
Figure 4. Cumulative Frequency Curve Generated from Wolman Pebble Counts and Material
Gradation for Riprap Design at Project Location
The material gradation curve indicates the following rock characteristics:
D15 riprap = 3.3 inches (63.5 mm)
D50 riprap = 8.3 inches (157.5 mm)
D85 riprap = 12.8 inches (243.8 mm)
D100 riprap = 16.5 inches (315.0 mm)
Layer Thickness
Research [9] indicates that increasing rock layer thickness improves the riprap stability. The increase in
stability becomes smaller as the median rock size increases. The study examined only rock gradations
where the median rock size was 6 inches or less. All stones used should lie within the riprap blanket to
provide the maximum resistance against erosion. Protruding stones can alter the flow net across the
channel. Oversize rocks, even in isolated spots, may cause riprap failure by precluding mutual support
between individual rocks, providing large voids that expose the filter and bedding materials, and creating
excessive local turbulence that removes smaller stones. Small amounts of oversize stone should be
removed individually and replaced with proper size stones. The following criteria apply to the riprap
layer thickness:
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
0 1 10 100 1000Cumulative sediment distribution (%)Particle size category (mm)
Cedar River Riprap
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1. The thickness should not be less than 1.25 times the diameter of the upper limit D100 rock (1.25
x 16.5 inches = 20.6 inches)
2. The thickness should not be less than 12 inches for practical placement. For effective protection,
the thickness should not be less than 9 inches.
3. The thickness determined by either 1 or 2 above should be increased by 50 percent in all sections
when the riprap is placed underwater in water deeper than 3 feet to provide for uncertainties
associated with this type of placement (i.e. no less than 31.0 inches).
4. An increase in thickness of 6 to 12 inches, accompanied by an appropriate increase in rock sizes,
should be provided where riprap revetment will be subject to attack by floating debris or ice or by
waves from boat wakes or wind. This condition is not expected at the facility.
5. Based on the general scour analysis discussed above in Section 2.2, the channel bed surrounding
the facility can be expected to degrade as much as 1.0 feet in the worst case. Thus, in order to
protect the riprap layer from being undercut, an additional 1.0 feet should be added to the layer
thickness.
From the above conditions, therefore, a riprap layer of approximately 31 inches will be stable. However,
for added safety, it is recommended that the riprap protection layer shall be 4.0 feet thick.
Experiences [9] have shown that these thicknesses are adequate regardless of whether a granular filter or a
geotextile is used with riprap. Both of these design options are discussed in the following sections.
2.4 Filter Design
A filter is a transitional layer of gravel, small stone, or fabric placed between the underlying soil and the
structure. The filter prevents the migration of the fine soil particles through voids in the structure,
distributes the weight of the armor units to provide more uniform settlement, and permits relief of
hydrostatic pressures within the soils. For areas above the water line, filters also prevent surface water
from causing erosion (gullies) beneath the riprap. A filter should be used whenever the riprap is placed on
non-cohesive material subject to significant subsurface drainage (such as in areas where water surface
levels fluctuate frequently and in areas of high groundwater levels).
The proper design of granular and fabric filters is critical to the stability of riprap installations on channel
banks. If openings in the filter are too large, excessive flow piping through the filter can cause erosion and
failure of the bank material below the filter. On the other hand, if the openings in the filter are too small,
the build-up of hydrostatic pressures behind the filter can cause a slip plane to form along the filter
resulting in massive translational slide failure.
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2.4.1 Granular Filters
For rock riprap, a filter ratio of 5 or less between layers will usually result in a stable condition. The filter
ratio is defined as the ratio of the 15 percent particle size (D15) of the coarser layer to the 85 percent
particle size (D85) of the finer layer. An additional requirement for stability is that the ratio of the 15
percent particle size of the coarser material to the 15 percent particle size of the finer material should
exceed 5 but be less than 40 [8]. These requirements can be stated as:
GHI JK KLJ
GMI NOKPJ KLJ < 5 <
GHI JJ KLJ
GHI NOKPJ KLJ < 40 (10)
The left side of the inequality in Equation 10 is intended to prevent piping through the filter, the center
portion provides for adequate permeability for structural bedding layers, and the right portion provides a
uniformity criterion.
If a single layer of filter material will not satisfy the filter requirements, one or more additional layers of
filter material must be used. The filter requirement applies between the bank material and the filter
blanket, between successive layers of filter material if more than one layer is used, and between the filter
blanket and the riprap cover. In addition to the filter requirements, the grain size curves for the various
layers should be approximately parallel to minimize the infiltration of fine material from the finer layer to
the coarser layer. Not more than 5 percent of the filter material should pass the No. 200 sieve.
The thickness of the filter blanket should range from about 6 inches to about 15 inches for a single layer,
or from about 4 inches to 8 inches for individual layers of a multiple layer blanket. Where the gradation
curves of adjacent layers are approximately parallel, the thickness of the blanket layers should approach
the minimum. The thickness of individual layers should be increased above the minimum proportionally
as the gradation curve of the material comprising the layer departs from a parallel pattern.
The material gradation curve (Figure 5) indicates the following rock characteristics:
D15 base =0.1 inches (2.8 mm)
D50 base =0.6 inches (15.4 mm)
D85 base = 2.5 inches (63.0 mm)
D100 base = 5.4 inches (137.5 mm)
and
D15 riprap = 3.3 inches (63.5 mm)
D50 riprap = 8.3 inches (157.5 mm)
D85 riprap = 12.8 inches (243.8 mm)
D100 riprap = 16.5 inches (315.0 mm)
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Based on the gradations above, the criteria given in Equation 10 are satisfied based on the riprap layer and
native alluvium found in the project reach, such that the native alluvium will serve as an adequate filter
layer.
3.0 Conclusion
Four common empirical relationships have been used for computing scour hole depth at the facility along
the Cedar River. The study shows that the potential scour hole depth at the project location would be up to
6 feet upstream of the facility and 10 feet downstream of the facility.
Design methods have been used based on tractive stress for final riprap design to determine the required
size of rock at the project location. The gradation of stones in riprap revetment affects the riprap’s
resistance to erosion. Based on guidance from the literature, the layer thickness of the riprap blanket shall
be no less than 4.0 feet. The D50 of the design riprap is approximately 8.3 inches, with a D15 of 3.3 inches,
a D85 of 12.8 inches, and a D100 of 16.5 inches. Based on granular filter layer computations, it was
concluded that the native alluvial material will serve as an adequate filter layer for the design riprap.
An approximate sketch of the proposed riprap layer is shown in the figure below.
Seattle Public Utilities – Broodstock Collection Facility Scour Analysis Rev. 1 / November 2019 14 McMillen Jacobs Associates Figure 5. Proposed Layout and Details of the Riprap Scour Protection Blanket at the BCF
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Rev. 1 / November 2019 15 McMillen Jacobs Associates
4.0 References
[1] Cascade Environmental Services (2011), Flow Regulation and Protecting Incubating Cedar River Salmon
From Streambed Scour, City of Renton, WA.
[2] Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Inc. (2018), Cedar River 207 Annual Sediment Report, City of Renton, WA.
[3] Guan, D, Friedrich, H. and Melville B.W., (2015), Scour at Submerged Weirs, Dep. of Civil and
Environmental Eng., University of Auckland, New Zealand.
[4] Meftah M.B. and Mossa, M. (2006), Scour holes downstream of bed sills in low-gradient channels, Journal of
Hydraulic Research Vol. 44, No. 4 (2006), pp. 497–509.
[5] Marion, A.,Lenzi, M.A. and Comiti, F. (2004). “Effect of Sill Spacing and Sediment Size Grading on Scouring
at Grade-Control Structures”. Earth Surface Processes Landforms 29, 983–993.
[6] Lenzi, M.A., Marion, A.,Comiti, F. and Gaudio, R. (2002). “Local Scouring in Low and High Gradient
Streams at Bed Sills”. J. Hydraul. Res. IAHR 40(6), 731–739. [7] USDA (2007), Technical Supplement 14B-
Scour Calculations.
[7] Hoffmans, G.J.C.M. and Verheij, H.J. (1997). Scour Manual. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Brookfield.
[8] Richardson, E.V. and Davis, S.R. (1995) Evaluating Scour at Bridges. U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration Hydraulic Engineering Circular 18, Publication FHWA-IP-90-017, 204 p.
[9] Cedar River (2018), 2018 Annual Sediment Report, Final Report, City of Renton, Renton, WA.
[10] Koerner, R.M. 2005b. Commentary on geosynthetic reduction factors – Part III – Drainage with geonets,
geocomposites and geospacers. GFR magazine, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 14–15.