BALL Wetland Reserve Project (WRP)
SHEET PILING DIVERSION STRUCTURE
Niobrara County, Wyoming

Many years ago, Lance Creek experienced some major flooding. The flooding eventually caused Lance Creek in Niobrara County to flow overland, eventually cutting a new channel. The new channel cut off approximately one mile of the old stream channel. With assistance from the NRCS engineers in Cheyenne and Torrington, and NRCS field professionals from the Lusk Field Office, landowner David Ball pursued the Wetland Reserve Program for restoration help. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also partnered the effort with funding contributions.  A sheet piling structure was designed that would increase the existing Lance Creek water surface elevation approximately two feet, diverting normal flows through the old mile-long stream channel in order to restore stream habitat.   Large flows run over a 36-foot wide weir located in the center of the 72-foot wide sheet pile structure. The sheet pile was easily pounded into the creek channel and bank abutments with the assistance of a vibratory unit attached to a track hoe. Approximately 200 tons of rock rip-rap were also installed over a fabric mat to complete the project. Project installation cost was approximately $40,000.