Enhancement of Concretized Streams: Mill Creek

An increase in the understanding of anthropogenic impacts related to our waterways has spurred much interest in ecological stream restoration. Billions of dollars are entering this field as societal and regulatory pressures are exerted upon municipalities and developers. Research suggests that stream restoration projects only consider aesthetics and economic growth as key goals rather than thinking of how the stream functions holistically or ecologically. Additionally, research suggests that these funds are greatly misused, funding only stream restoration projects where space, politics, and infrastructure allow (Nilsson et al 2003, and Niezgoda and Johnson 2005). These projects cater toward a naturalized condition. A variety of techniques and strategies are deployed to achieve both project goals and objectives. These techniques and strategies support the notion of a naturalized stream condition through their effective use and aesthetics. Furthermore, research shows that goals and objectives for these projects can be lumped in to four main categories: bank stabilization, erosion control, stormwater management, and re-vegetation (Bernhardt and Palmer 2007). However, little is being done by way of research and design study in the most severely degraded portions of these streams—those that are concretized. The goal of this study is to show how restoration might occur in concretized waterways where a naturalized condition cannot fully accommodate the degree of changes and demands that have been placed on the watershed by urbanization. Objectives within this study focus on improvements to water quality and in-stream habitat as well as accessibility and connectivity for communities. Through the review of traditional stream restoration techniques, their hybridization, and deployment in concretized streams this project shows how a highly degraded stream condition can be augmented to perform similarly, ecologically, to its naturalized counterpart.A catalog of traditional stream restoration techniques from both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is compiled to understand how these techniques are effective, their tectonics, and positioning. Based on project goals and objectives the traditional techniques are hybridized to broadly applicable concretized stream conditions—trapezoidal and vertical embankments. From here, these hybrids are deployed within Sections 3 and 4A of the Lower Mill Creek, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sectional and vignette drawings are used to understand the materiality, connections, and interaction of they hybrid types. This method of investigation yields a catalog of 30 hybrid interventions for the enhancement of concretized waterways.Finally, this study considers what could become of the Mill Creek if thought of as a critical infrastructure—one that has to accommodate industrial and flood control concerns as well as ecological and social concerns. One that is an asset to adjacent communities, promotes revitalization, and is ecologically productive. This lens brings about new layers upon which the Lower Mill Creek can be engaged and re-imagined.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Landscape Architecture

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Landscape Architecture

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Kordenbrock, Brett Nathan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Boswell, Jacob

• Landscape Architecture
• stream channelization
• concretized streams
• stream restoration
• ecological restoration
• ecological design
• ecological urbanism
• concrete streams
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Mill Creek Restoration
• restoration ecology

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366206697

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1366206697