For the Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District and
Prunuske and Chatham, Inc.

The project consisted of riverbank stabilization at three sub-areas along the Stanislaus River below the New Melones Dam, in the vicinity of McHenry Campground. Each of these sites had experienced bank erosion problems for several years. Two of the sites were on outside channel bends and were 600 to 800 feet long; the third site was on a straight run with lower banks and higher channel velocities, and was approximately 200 feet long. The objective was to stabilize the banks using biotechnical methods if possible, while ensuring that the stabilization structures did not have a significant effect on flood water surface elevations, increase erosion on adjacent banks, or cause scour of recreational sand bars in the project vicinities.

As a subcontractor to Prunuske Chatham, Inc., Questa completed a geomorphic and hydraulic analysis of the waterway to provide hydraulic design guidance and to verify that the designs met project objectives.   The work included biotechnical designs, a riparian restoration plan, and preparation of project specifications.