Private Shoreline Rehabilitation: Protecting Lake Superior

AMI has successfully undertaken a multitude of coastal engineering projects along the shores of Lake Superior. These initiatives aim to safeguard residential properties from potential damage caused by high-water elevation, wave action, ice, and recent storm events. By implementing a range of innovative solutions, AMI has effectively addressed shoreline protection, slope restoration, ledge rock rehabilitation, restored vegetation, and natural preservation methods. Each project site undergoes careful inspection and evaluation, leading to the recommendation of specific protection measures tailored to the unique conditions of the area.

Addressing Diverse Shoreline Characteristics

The shoreline areas under consideration varied significantly in their composition, encompassing clay banks, gravel and sandy beaches, vertical rock ledges, bedrock coastlines, existing armor stone revetments, old concrete retaining walls, and homemade protection measures. AMI's team of experts studied and analyzed each site to identify appropriate shoreline protection methods. The recommended solutions encompassed a diverse range of options, including colored concrete retaining walls, rock bolting with colored shotcrete finish, armor stone revetments, timber crib walls, groins, breakwaters, jetties, soldier pile walls, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, geogrid and/or geotextile deep patch slope repairs, turf reinforcement mats with percussion anchors, and native vegetation planting.

Navigating Permitting Requirements

To ensure compliance with regulatory protocols, AMI diligently managed all the necessary permitting requirements from various authorities, including the city, county, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This comprehensive approach allowed for a smooth and streamlined execution of the projects, adhering to the required guidelines and legal procedures.

Innovative Access Routes

The AMI team is resourceful in devising creative access route options to maximize project budgets. The challenging terrain of these sites necessitates unique strategies such as temporary haul roads and staging areas, barge access, dropping stone down cliff edges to gravel beaches, temporary roads along the shoreline, and haul routes over thick ice. By leveraging these unconventional methods, AMI ensures efficient accessibility to the project sites.

Collaboration with Marine Contractors

AMI collaborates closely with marine contractors, employing a design-build approach at several locations. This collaboration integrates constructability and easy access to the project sites within the design phase itself. By involving the marine contractor early in the process, we ensure the feasibility of the proposed solutions, while simultaneously addressing potential challenges related to implementation and accessibility. We have a close working relationship with our sister company, Nordic Group to provide clients with a streamlined Design/Build delivery process for these projects.

By leveraging a wide array of shoreline protection methods tailored to specific site conditions, we have effectively mitigated potential damages and continue to play a vital role in preserving and safeguarding the beauty and integrity of the Lake Superior shoreline for future generations.