Blacksnake Creek Stormwater Tunnel

To meet regulatory requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the city of St. Joseph, MI, will separate and redirect a portion of the stormwater runoff from the Blacksnake Creek watershed to a dedicated outfall near the Missouri River. A key element of the plan is the Blacksnake Creek Stormwater Separation Tunnel. Currently under construction, the new Blacksnake tunnel system will reduce the volume of untreated wastewater released by up to 60%, with future works reducing release by up to 85%. Additionally, it will eliminate the cost of treating up to 2 million gallons per day of creek water at the water processing plant.

• 2.0 km (1.3 miles) in length with an Internal diameter of 2.75 m (9 feet).
• Excavated by EPB TBM
• 16 m (53 foot) dual baffle drop shaft with 11 m (37 foot) internal diameter.
• Constructed in soft and mixed ground including soils and shale.
• Ground support consists of 100% Barchip synthetic fibre reinforced precast segmental lining.