Holland Engineering is in the process of completing several projects along
the beautiful, distinctive Lake Michigan Shoreline. The West Michigan
Park Dry Fire Line System has been one of HEI’s more unique projects
and has now been placed into service after passing final testing and
certification. The project was a partnership between the West Michigan
Park Association (WMPA) and Park Township whose purpose was to
improve the reliability and flow capacity of the water supply system during
a fire event within the Association’s area. Since many of these historic
cottages are located inside the dune area and are accessible only by foot,
the standpipe system with its multiple pressurized connection points has
the capability to significantly improve the local fire department’s response
time. Holland Engineering was pleased to be part of a project that could potentially help preserve some of our Lake Michigan Shoreline history.
Holland Engineering is also in the process of completing a drain extension and dune face restoration project along Lakeshore Drive south of the City of the Village of Douglas. The property owners in this area have been continually challenged with dune face erosion. In addition to the erosion being unsightly, it has also displaced the vegetation on the dune face and deposited it, along with soil and rocks, onto the beach. This displacement has created a safety hazard as it has undermined beach access walkways and stairs and threatened the roadway.
Holland Engineering worked with the property owners and the Allegan County Road Commission to design and permit a system of cut-off drains to intercept the runoff that was causing the erosion. These cut-off drains are an extension of an existing county drain system that was installed a few years ago after a major storm caused a portion of Lakeshore Drive to wash away near the project site. Once the drainage issues are addressed, the face of the dune will be restored with native vegetation and natural soil erosion control measures to complete the restoration and stabilization of this very unique and beautiful shoreline area.
For more information on these projects, or on our civil infrastructure services, please contact Ryan Ysseldyke, P.E., Project Manager at 616.392.5938 or via email at rysseldyke@hollandengineering.com.