Wolf Lake, located in an industrial and urban area near Hammond, Indiana, is a valuable natural and recreational resource for surrounding communities. Over time, the lake has been degraded due to modifications to the lake’s hydrology, impaired water and sediment quality, erosion due to wave action, and invasive species.

Working with the City of Hammond and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tetra Tech designed a plan to restore the Wolf Lake aquatic ecosystem by dredging sand and redistributing it within the lake to create wetland islands and naturalize shoreline, restoring water levels to a normal elevation, improving water circulation, and controlling invasive species. In addition to the ecosystem benefits, the project removed hundreds of local residents from the floodplain and alleviated associated flood insurance requirements.

To develop the plan, Tetra Tech prepared a feasibility report and Environmental Assessment (EA), facilitated public meetings, and conducted the following:

• Topographic/hydrographic surveys
• Real estate mapping and analysis
• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
• Geotechnical sampling and analysis
• Hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste investigation, including sediment sampling
• Evaluation of the environmental benefits and incremental cost analysis of restoration alternatives

For the selected restoration plan, Tetra Tech prepared the design plans and specifications and supported 401/404 permitting. Ongoing project implementation began in 2006, and Tetra Tech provided engineering design during construction support for the project.

Tetra Tech’s broad range of capabilities, including ecological restoration, hydrologic modeling, engineering design, and public involvement support, were essential to meeting project objectives.