The new design for the Columbus riverfront incorporates a fish passage channel and a rock arch ramp structure using natural materials, which reduces the amount of grout required in the structure, accommodates boat passage and maintains the river’s water level.
Republic file photo The new design for the Columbus riverfront incorporates a fish passage channel and a rock arch ramp structure using natural materials, which reduces the amount of grout required in the structure, accommodates boat passage and maintains the river’s water level.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The riverfront project planned for downtown Columbus has received one of the permits needed to move the endeavor forward.
According to redevelopment director Heather Pope, the city has received its Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for the project, and its next step is to finish the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ permit process.
“So we filed with the Army Corps back in May, and they were waiting until we received our water quality permit from IDEM,” she said. “And we’ve now received that, and so they’re working with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to get their approval. And once they get everything taken care of with EPA, then they said they would be ready to review our permit.”
According to IDEM, when a project is planned in Indiana that will impact “a wetland, stream, river, lake or other Water of the U.S.,” the department must issue a Section 401 Water Quality Certification. This is a required component of a federal permit and must be issued before a federal permit or license can be granted.
Columbus’ riverfront project is located between the State Road 46 eastbound and westbound bridges, with the affected body being the East Fork White River.
“The applicant proposes to permanently impact 5.93 acres of stream channel through removal of the existing lowhead dam, installation of a cobble and boulder rock arch fish passage riffle with a low flow channel, filling of the west bank scour pit with native fill and clean rip rap, regrading of the river bed to repair damage from the failed low-head dam, and installation of three limestone rock riffle and grouted limestone and granite in-river recreational whitewater structures to control grade and provide public in-river recreational opportunities,” IDEM officials wrote.
The proposal includes a j-hook structure, a mid-channel boulder island and bank stabilization elements, the notice added.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
