Traversing residential and commercial lands, the Caddell Drain was adversely impacted from hydrologic changes and past practices associated with stormwater management. As a result, streambank erosion, sediment transport to the Upper Rouge River, public health and safety, and poor water quality were of concern. Flashy hydraulics, poor floodplain connectivity, and failure of previous stabilization measures (gabion baskets and mats) were identified as the source of impairments and channel instability.
Fishbeck was retained by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner to employ nontraditional streambank protection measures to create a stable and natural-looking channel that would significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs, ensure public safety, and protect buildings and infrastructure.
