Montour Trail-Letter

by Stan Sattinger

The end of June marked the successful completion of the Montour Run Stream Bank Stabilization Project, conducted by the Montour Run Watershed Association with the cooperation and support of the MTC

Temporarily using portions of the Airport-area section of the Trail as a hauling road, the construction subcontractor, BKG Inc., trucked 1,600 tons of carbonate rip-rap rock material to twelve different sites along the main trunk of Montour Run. Using a back-hoe to place this heavy material, BKG built up rock linings that will protect the heavily eroded stream banks against further scouring due to high-velocity flows of storm water during future heavy rains.

These protective linings should eliminate or greatly retard the undercutting that has been threatening portions of the Trail in recent years. The reductions in siltation that will occur in future years will be beneficial to aquatic life in the stream and will also help reduce losses in the depth of the flow channel, helping to cut down on the severity of flash flooding.

A total of 1460 lineal feet of stabilizing rock layers were installed, up substantially from the 830 lineal feet originally proposed, and this work was performed within the original budget. Credit for the extension of the length of rock layers goes to BKG for having performed in an excellent manner at a low contract price.

Much of the detailed technical work of surveying and mapping the stabilization sites, applying for agency permits, calculating material quantities, and preparing bidding documents was performed by Allegheny County Engineer and MTC Board Member Dave Wright, with help from Pete Merther of the Findlay/North Fayette Friends. In addition to these individuals, the Watershed Association is grateful to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, for having funded this work under a $62,800 Watershed Restoration and Partnership Act grant. Guidance provided by Project Officer Lou DiLissio and Project Advisor John Davidson was also very much appreciated.