KANKAKEE RIVER REVIVAL PLAN RESTORE
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RECONNECT
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REVIVE
WRITTEN & DESIGNED BY JAKE SENNE | APRIL 2021 B A L L S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T U R E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P R O J E C T LA 404 | STUDIO PROFESSORS: CHRIS MARLOW & NATALIE YATES | THESIS ADVISOR: JUSTIN MENKE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KANKAKEE •This region was once home to the largest inland wetlands in the United States: The Grand Kankakee Marsh • Flowing through the center of the marsh was the meandering Kankakee River, 250 miles of twists and turns winding its way across the untouched landscape • This area was incredibly rich in natural resources, which attracted Native Americans and early settlers to the region, however, they used these organic riches in moderation • Unfortunately, with increased discovery of what the land had to offer, mass exploitation of the resources quickly followed • Through the 1800s and early 1900s, the marsh was drained and converted to agricultural land • By 1922, the Kankakee was dredged and channelized, transforming it into what is now a glorified drainage ditch • This process cut off over 2,000 river bends and reduced the length of the river in Indiana from 250 miles long to just over 90 miles
GOALS & OBJECTIVES The mantra of “Restore - Reconnect - Revive” serves as a guiding principle for the Kankakee River Revival Plan. At the base of the entire project is the RESTORATION, the most critical factor to the plan’s success. The return of the natural conditions will bring with it an opportunity to RECONNECT, linking individuals back to the Kankakee River and rich and storied past of the region while also tying the river back into its historic channel. The third step, REVIVAL, is achieved through bringing an identity and widespread acknowledgment back to the river’s banks, making the Kankakee an attractive, prominent destination once again.
A houseboat dredge*
The Valley Gun Club*
L AN DSC APE
A steam dredge in the Grand Marsh*
Hunting in the Marsh*
IM PRO V E
HABITAT
ACC E SSIBILIT Y
I N V E N TO R Y & A N A LY S I S
Following a series of site visits, a meticulous examination of satellite imagery and historical maps, and an in-depth analyzation of spatial relationships using GIS, an existing conditions map was constructed, highlighting features such as adjacent residences and infrastructure, natural elements like wetlands or floodplain forests, cutoff meanders or remnant portions of the old river, highly populated areas, abandoned railways, managed lands, and major vehicular circulation routes. Identifying these existing elements then allowed the project to move into the analysis phase, calling out strengths, opportunities, concerns, and constraints along the Kankakee River corridor, and determining how they would translate into the design.
S.O.C.C. Analysis Map
A bison at Kankakee Sands Conservancy
In order to create a common design language and strong identity across the entirety of the project, materials and amenities were carefully selected to blend seamlessly with each other and the surrounding environment. Natural elements like treated lumber and local stone were used, coupled with coated or cor-ten steel accents, giving the design a more rugged, natural appearance.
IMAGERY
Wetland Boardwalk Signage Types
Multi-use Trail
Regional Trail System Map
Overlook Point
IN C RE A S E RE G IO N A L AC K N O WL ED G M E N T
Multi-use Trail Section
NOTE: * indicates photos from an outside source. Sources can be found in the appendices of the Kankakee River Revival Plan document.
A remnant portion of the old Kankakee
STRE N GTHE N
A predominant component of this project was the establishment of the Kankakee River Regional Trail System. This system is made up of a network of 20 separate trails and recreational areas, totaling over 300 linear miles of paved paths, elevated boardwalks, and hiking routes. Spaced at accessible increments are 74 individualized trailheads, each designed to provide the best experience and resources for visitors. This network of pedestrian-centered pathways spans 11 counties across Indiana and Illinois, connecting around 40 rural and semi-urban communities and providing direct access to upwards of 200,000 people. At the heart of the trail system is the Teakiki Trail, a 102 mile long route running from South Bend to Kankakee. A number of branches break off the main trail and extend out to nearby communities or points of interest. With the state of Indiana recently awarding $30 million for new trail construction, there is an obvious desire to increase these types of opportunities in the state.
S I G N A G E & W AY F I N D I N G
Baums Bridge in 1912*
1898 map of the Grand Kankakee Marsh from Century Atlas Company*
Wetlands at the Kankakee F&W Area
RE STO RE N ATUR AL
REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM
• Return the Kankakee River to a meander • Restore surrounding marshland and strengthen floodplain systems • Reinforce transitional zones adjacent to the river • Bolster buffer zones between agricultural land
• Reconstruct habitats to better serve a wide array of native wildlife species • Utilize plant palette comprised exclusively of native species • Select plant species that benefit wildlife and play a role in natural systems
• Provide locations throughout the site for visitors to experience the landscape • Implement a regional trail system that runs the length of the rive links nearby towns • Place accessible trailheads near major roads and circulation routes
• Provide educational signage at trailheads and along the trails • Propose multiple locations for visitor centers • Increase opportunities for recreational activities • Seek National Historic or Recreational Trail designation
Hiking Trail Section
Primitive Campsite
TRAILHEAD DESIGNS
Adaptive Height Boardwalk Section
P R O J E C T L O C AT I O N
Tier I Trailhead Example at the Black Oak Bayou Location
The Kankakee River’s headwaters are located just outside of South Bend, IN. From there, it flows south/southeast through the rural landscape of northwest Indiana and eventually into northern Illinois. Eventually, it converges with the Des Plaines River outside of Joliet, IL. The main portion of the project will follow the river from its headwaters until it Project Location Map reaches Kankakee, IL. Aside from the major river corridor, there are multiple spurs that branch off from the main portion and connect to nearby communities or points of interest.
R E S TO R AT I O N I M PA C T S Aside from the managed lands along the river, it is estimated that there is around 14,500 acres of natural wetlands and floodplain forest along the river. Adding the acreage of the managed lands, the total rises to roughly 28,800 acres. However, this figure would be a major exaggeration, given that not all of these managed lands are in their natural state or contain sufficient remnants of native ecosystems
Route 49 crossing over the Kankakee
Natural land prior to restoration
R E S TO R AT I O N P R O C E S S In order to determine where the restoration would take place and where the river would be re-routed to, a complex, multi-step comparison process was preformed along every mile of the project. Through this process, a long list of factors were careful examined and cross-checked to ascertain what land would be best to restore and where the extents of the project would be. Some of the factors that went into the decision making process included topographic features, soil data, existing wetlands and woodlands, satellite imagery, digital elevation models, flood data, existing infrastructure like residences or roadways, historical maps, property rights, and other components.
Trailhead sizes and amenities offered there are based off a tiered system, with Tier I trailheads being the most extensive and Tier III being the simplest, with just the basic necessities there. Regardless of tier level, all trailheads would still have a standard list of features present: • Parking (size will vary based on tier level) • Bike racks • Restrooms (will vary based on tier level) • Repair stations • Water fountains and bottle refill stations • Seating and rest areas • Wayfinding, informational, and educational signage However, each trailhead location is individually designed, and the features present there vary, determined on their context or spatial relationships. Features at some of the higher tiered trailheads include: • Bike and kayak rentals • Maintenance facilities • Bait and fishing shops • Visitor’s centers • Management offices • Boat Launches • Larger Parking • Lodging
FLOODPL AIN TRANSITIONAL ZONES Natural land following restoration
The implementation of the Kankakee River Revival Plan would see the measurement of natural land skyrocket to just under 80,000 acres, assuming that restoration would take place within the managed lands and F&W Areas, in addition to the newly acquired land. The overall length of the river would increase as well, thanks to the return of nearly 400 meanders along its path. Currently the channelized river length in Indiana sits at about 94 miles, but the new channel would measure out at around 165 miles. With the wetlands and floodplain forests highlighted in orange, the accompanying images demonstrate just how impactful the restoration would be.
F L O O D P L A I N M O D I F I C AT I O N S River Channel
Multi-use Trail
Managed Lands
Restoration Area
Tier I Trailhead Special Interest
Tier II Trailhead Visitor’s Center
M A S T E R 0 MI
3 MI
6 MI
The current riverbed is comprised of a wide, straight channel with steep embankments and tall levees, serving little purpose for wildlife or natural systems. Rather than decreasing flooding, these conditions actually lead to frequent and considerable flood events. With the floodplain being confined to a rigid, structured channel, there is no where for excess water to go except outward, leading to flooding up to 4 miles away from the Kankakee at times. Floodplain Transitional Zone Section
Tier III Trailhead When there is enough lateral distance, the progression from the agricultural land down to the river channel would go through these transitional zones: an upland buffer, a seasonal floodplain, and the aquatic systems. These transitional zones would create a diverse set of habitats, capable of supporting a wide range of plant, mammal, bird, and insect species. Furthermore, the increase in plant material and establishment of catchment areas would serve hydrological purposes such as slowing and capturing runoff, filtering surface and sub-surface flow, recharging the water table, and treating pollutants through phytoremediation, ultimately leading to a healthier riparian system.
Recreational Interest
P L A N
12 MI Determining Restoration Extents Diagram
Floodplain Modifications Axon
With the increased lateral distance to work with, the river’s floodplain is able to be widened, and topographical modifications would make for a smoother transition from upland areas down to the river bed. Though the width and depth of the channel would be decreased, the storage capacity of the floodplain would actually increase by an estimated 1350%. Additionally, with the river’s overall length nearly doubling, that storage capacity percentage would only increase. With these changes, flood events would be contained in naturalized areas, no longer cause property damage, inhibiting vehicular circulation, or endangering residents of the nearby communities.