Land Reclamation

Trihydro engineers have substantial experience designing reclamation plans based on the geotechnical and geochemical site characterization. Several of our past projects have required drilling and sampling programs. We perform legal, topographic, and construction surveys to support reclamation design and construction. Our design services typically include developing construction plans in AutoCAD format (e.g. Carlson or AutoCAD Civil3D software), detailed construction specifications, and construction cost estimates.

Landform grading is an umbrella term for multiple approaches that can be used to reshape land to its native topography. Creating a more natural landscape improves aesthetics and allows the land to function in alignment with geo-specific climatic and watershed characteristics. Landform grading incorporates multiple channels and ridges that result in numerous, small sub-basins. The broken topography reduces the length of overland flow and conveys the flows into defined channels. Not only does landform grading reduce erosion, but it also enhances aesthetics and encourages biodiversity. If designed and constructed properly, sites reclaimed through landform grading are difficult to distinguish from undisturbed lands.

Using landform grading at sites is a good option when the end-state vision of reclamation is to mimic pre-disturbance conditions, promote plant diversity, and minimize long-term maintenance costs. Trihydro has become a leader in the application of landform grading techniques that result in geomorphically stable reclamation.

Trihydro began using Carlson Natural Regrade in 2006, and has been brought in as technical peers to provide input to other technical teams. Our designers have been active in constructing projects designed with geomorphic grading, and we continue to refine our designs based on this experience to increase constructability and reduce erosion instabilities.

Trihydro's sediment and erosion control experience includes design and oversight of stormwater run‐on/runoff control installation, mychorrizal fungi inoculation, compost incorporation, drill seeding, pit seeding, hydro‐seeding, mulch application, equipment tracking/surface roughening, micro‐habitat creation, wood strand mulch, and slope drain installation, among other techniques. We also have a wide range of experience using synthetic materials to stabilize soils such as erosion control mats, geocells, geogrids, and soil binders.

Our approach to stream design, similar to our grading design, is based on geomorphic principles. Where possible, we prefer to design and construct channels that mimic historic channel characteristics (alignment, profile, cross section), which improves the long-term success of the stream restoration effort.

We have experience addressing unsuitable materials, including coal fines and gob piles, acidic soils, radioactive soils, and toxic soils. Traditional reclamation methods (e.g. excavation and encapsulation, off-site disposal, and lime treatment) have been applied successfully on previous projects. Similarly, we have been active in the progression from basic soil treatments, conventional use of fertilizer, and uniform seed mixes to more site-specific approaches.

Trihydro identifies site-specific soil conditions, notes slope aspects, performs vegetation surveys, and collects other site characteristics to develop successful soil amendment and revegetation plans tailored to the specific site or area of the site. Our proposed seed mixtures include species adapted to the specific site conditions (physical, chemical, and climatic). Our specialists monitor the success of the vegetative efforts and quantify the results for submittal to appropriate agencies.