Start Date
4-29-2025 10:45 AM
Description
HydroTurf® is an advanced revetment solution engineered to protect embankment dams and riverine levees from erosion caused by overtopping events. Its design provides an impermeable geomembrane protected by engineered turf with a high strength cementitious infill, resulting in a fiber reinforced high-strength concrete matrix. The system provides a durable and impermeable barrier against erosive forces.
The Muscatine Island Levee Improvement Project, situated along the Mississippi River in Iowa, exemplifies the application of HydroTurf. This initiative aimed to enhance flood protection for approximately 30,000 acres of commercial, industrial, and residential areas. A critical component was the construction of a hardened controlled overtopping structure at the downstream end of the levee. HydroTurf was selected for this 1,000-foot section to ensure resilience against potential overtopping scenarios. Its robust design offers superior erosion resistance, thereby maintaining the levee's structural integrity during high-flow events.
The decision to implement HydroTurf was driven by the imperative to protect lives and property from flood-related damages. Traditional methods, such as riprap or concrete armoring, often present challenges related to cost, installation complexity, and long-term maintenance. In contrast, HydroTurf provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative, with reduced maintenance requirements and enhanced durability.
This paper explores the design elements of the Muscatine Island Levee Project and material selection criteria that informed the final solution. Ultimately, this project underscores HydroTurf’s effectiveness and potential for broader application in flood risk management strategies.
Included in
Enhancing Embankment Dam and Levee Resilience Against Overtopping Erosion: The Muscatine Island Levee Project
HydroTurf® is an advanced revetment solution engineered to protect embankment dams and riverine levees from erosion caused by overtopping events. Its design provides an impermeable geomembrane protected by engineered turf with a high strength cementitious infill, resulting in a fiber reinforced high-strength concrete matrix. The system provides a durable and impermeable barrier against erosive forces.
The Muscatine Island Levee Improvement Project, situated along the Mississippi River in Iowa, exemplifies the application of HydroTurf. This initiative aimed to enhance flood protection for approximately 30,000 acres of commercial, industrial, and residential areas. A critical component was the construction of a hardened controlled overtopping structure at the downstream end of the levee. HydroTurf was selected for this 1,000-foot section to ensure resilience against potential overtopping scenarios. Its robust design offers superior erosion resistance, thereby maintaining the levee's structural integrity during high-flow events.
The decision to implement HydroTurf was driven by the imperative to protect lives and property from flood-related damages. Traditional methods, such as riprap or concrete armoring, often present challenges related to cost, installation complexity, and long-term maintenance. In contrast, HydroTurf provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative, with reduced maintenance requirements and enhanced durability.
This paper explores the design elements of the Muscatine Island Levee Project and material selection criteria that informed the final solution. Ultimately, this project underscores HydroTurf’s effectiveness and potential for broader application in flood risk management strategies.