Pigeon Forge Bank Stabilization

The City of Pigeon Forge is one of Tennessee’s premier tourist destinations. Many years of exceptional growth has placed pressure on the city’s stream resources. Severe erosion developed along an 800-foot section of the West Prong Little Pigeon River just downstream of U.S. Highway 441 through increasing storm flows due to urbanization, removal of vegetation to improve the view of the river, and redirecting of stream flow due to bridge modifications.

An early streambank stabilization proposal received by Pigeon Forge was an expensive and the rock riprap design would have removed all the existing trees from the streambank.  This sterile design was not in their vision of an idyllic mountain stream tourists hope to see when visiting Pigeon Forge. With a new greenway proposed to extend along the River, the City contracted S&ME to provide an alternative natural rehabilitation design. S&ME’s design met the City’s expectations while also improving aquatic habitats, saving 80% of the mature trees along the river, and costing nearly 1/3 less than the estimated cost for the riprap alternative.

S&ME’s design utilized biostabilization with a rock toe, a natural technique rarely applied to urban streams. In addition to the design, S&ME’s services included examination of scour processes at the site, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, evaluation of alternatives, permitting, preparation of civil design documents for the stream bank stabilization, assistance with bidding and the construction contract administration process, construction period observations.

  • S&ME subcontracted surveyors to collect the required information and prepare a topographic map of the area of interest.
  • S&ME prepared a preliminary engineering design to include 60% designs for the City to review and provide comments and with particular attention to requirements of the regulatory agencies associated with permitting.
  • S&ME provided an EOPCC
  • Following approval of the 60% design, S&ME provided final plans and specification for stream bank stabilization for use in bidding the construction and by the contractor during construction. Plans included best management practices for erosion and sediment control.
  • S&ME prepared a SWPPP
  • S&ME provided a flood analysis
  • S&ME prepared and submitted permit applications
  • S&ME prepared a public notice for publication
  • S&ME provided professional tracking of permits
  • S&ME performed a database and literature review regarding USFWS
  • S&ME provided archaeological survey and analysis. No archaeological sites were identified and no additional investigations were required.
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