River Mystery

[petehowell]

Flying over Hastings,MN and Lock and Dam #2, I see they are building a runway for us. No gas, limited dining options.........

1) What is it? (I know we have some hydro guys on here)

2) How long before someone lands on it?

 

[rv6n6r]

Um, I think I sense some engine roughness. Better set it down and check...

 

[D-Dubya]

If I had to take a guess, I'd surmise that it's a protective island upstream from the embankment at the existing lock and dam.

Again, just guessing, but the likely goal of the Lock and Dam protective island would be to safeguard the existing embankment on the upstream, windward side acting as a buffer from wind and wave erosion. The 3,250-foot-long earthen embankment probably suffered degradation due to weather conditions, lack of vegetation, and the erosive effects of high-water events. The island would possibly be constructed using near-by river material from the 9-foot navigation channel that will feature various heights above the typical pool elevation to provide habitat benefits including tall grasses, tree plantings, a wetland, rock features and an overwintering fish habitat.

But that's just a guess.

 

[petehowell]

If I had to take a guess, I'd surmise that it's a protective island upstream from the embankment at the existing lock and dam.

Again, just guessing, but the likely goal of the Lock and Dam protective island would be to safeguard the existing embankment on the upstream, windward side acting as a buffer from wind and wave erosion. The 3,250-foot-long earthen embankment probably suffered degradation due to weather conditions, lack of vegetation, and the erosive effects of high-water events. The island would possibly be constructed using near-by river material from the 9-foot navigation channel that will feature various heights above the typical pool elevation to provide habitat benefits including tall grasses, tree plantings, a wetland, rock features and an overwintering fish habitat.

But that's just a guess.

If you cant be specific - please don't waste our time with your "guesses"......

Very cool!

Thanks DW!

 

[BruceW]

Check marks the spot.

 

[Desert Rat]

The Corp of Engineers installed gobs of man made wing dykes like this on the Missouri River for erosion control and to encourage the current to stay where they want it so it naturally keeps the barge channel at it's minimum depth without the need to constantly be dredging it. I'd imaging you've got something similar going on here...

 

[petehowell]

The Corp of Engineers installed gobs of man made wing dykes like this on the Missouri River for erosion control and to encourage the current to stay where they want it so it naturally keeps the barge channel at it's minimum depth without the need to constantly be dredging it. I'd imaging you've got something similar going on here...

Hi Terry,

There are all sorts of man made rock plles and Islands just up and downstream - I think you are absolutely correct.

This is my standard just flying around route, so it is fun to track the changes. They have build several "bird islands" in Pig's Eye Lake just to the north as well.