BEAVER CREEK RECLAMATION PROJECT PHASE I, II and III

Site 1 Site layout, October 2004

Site 2 before treatment, October 2004

Installed live pole drain system across right of way October 2004

Phase II:

Location: South side of Beaver Creek adjacent to pipeline right-of-way.

Objective: To stabilize a small slope failure using a live pole drain system.

During snowmelt in the spring of 2005 a small slope failure occurred on a site adjacent to the Beaver Creek crossing. This is thought to have resulted from the concentration of redirected surface seepage water from Phase I remedial work. In October 2005 a live pole drain (LPD) system was installed on the slope failure in order to provide drainage capacity for the seepage water on the slope. This system consisted of a central live pole drain with lateral drain fascines and brush layers. The structures were constructed of the following willow species; Salix bebbiana , Salix scouleriana and Salix exigua , and Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera L) cuttings. Muskeg was applied to the site as mulch after installation of these structures, and the area was broadcast seeded with native grasses and inoculated with endo mycorrhizae fungi. To date this treatment has been successful at controlling soil erosion and further mass wasting in this area.

Phase III:

Location: Both north and south sides of Beaver Creek within pipeline right-of-way.

Objective:  Control surface erosion and seepage over areas disturbed during repair of pipeline rupture using soil bioengineering structures to establish vegetation and enhance riparian habitat.

Extensive areas, within Phase I, were disturbed as a result of repair work to a pipeline rupture that occurred in the spring of 2007. A narrow area was left undisturbed on either side of the creek to act as a buffer during the repair work. In the summer of 2007 Syncrude graded and re-contoured the site, according to TEC specifications. In order to re-vegetate and stabilize this area, the following treatments developed by TEC were installed in October 2007. In the fall of 2007 TEC was retained to carry out the field implementation, in association with Terracon Geotechnique Ltd., who provided the contract administration on behalf of Syncrude Canada Ltd.

• South side of creek: Brush layers and contour fascines were installed on steeper slope areas. Damaged portions of LPD structures installed on a bench during Phase I were replaced. Muskeg and broadcast seeding of native seed mix inoculated with endo mycorrhizae fungi was applied. Planting of native shrubs (Rosa acicularis) was carried out over all disturbed areas. Structures were constructed of the following willow species; Salix bebbiana , Salix scouleriana and Salix exigua. A temporary access trail was constructed in order to transport materials such as muskeg to the lower portion of the site. The access trail was re-contoured and re-vegetated after completion of the work.

• North side of creek: Brush layers and straw wattles were installed on slope areas. Muskeg spreading was done concurrently with brush layer planting (piles placed on slope before hand). Broadcast seeding of native seed mix inoculated with endo mycorrhizae fungi and planting of native shrubs (Rosa acicularis) was carried out over all the disturbed areas. Structures were constructed of the following willow species; Salix bebbiana , Salix scouleriana and Salix exigua, as well as a small proportion of Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera L) cuttings.

On both the north and south sides, straw-bale sediment barriers and silt fencing were installed between the disturbed areas and the creek buffer zone prior to treatments. Brush layer and LPD installation was machine-assisted using a walking excavator (Spyder Hoe). Contour fascines and straw wattles were installed manually.

Communication with Syncrude Canada Ltd informed us that the site was growing and draining well during the summer of 2008. The site will be monitored by a Terra Erosion Control representative during the spring of 2009.

Go To:

Monitoring Summer 2009

Completed work on south side, October 2007

Monitoring 2009:

The growth and establishment of native vegetation through soil bioengineering structures was considered excellent overall during the site visit of July 2009.  There was no need for additional maintenance treatments on the north side at that time.  On the south side, the live pole drains areas were disturbed in the summer of 2008 as a result of additional repair work carried out to the pipeline up slope.  This repair work caused the concentration of water flowing over the re-habilitated area resulting in a small surface slope failure (see photo).