Ostrander Drain

Spicer Group provided engineering assistance with improvements for a completely reinvigorated Ostrander Drain system. The Ostrander Drain provides drainage to approximately 580 acres in the surrounding Tittabawassee Township. The Drain passes through a large 18-foot-deep ravine in the middle of Freeland before outletting into the Tittabawassee River. The Drain had over 30 years of documented erosion issues, which were very hard to address with small routine maintenance projects due to the drain being located in the large ravine and close proximity of houses and businesses to the drain right of way.

The Ostrander Drain’s steep, overgrown and fallen-tree-tangled banks made it tough to access the project area with construction equipment as well as design sustainable solutions that would not have long-term effects by erosion and sloughing. The construction of a two-stage channel along the drain mixed with natural stream design approaches, and traditional drain stabilization measures such as riprap armoring and use of turf reinforcement mats provided solutions for these complexities. The project was recognized with MACDC’s 2016 Innovation and Excellence Award.