Attachment 06 SP1 Baby Falls Overlook - PreDesign _09-21-23.pdf

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 3

Acknowledgments Page 5

Executive Summary Page 9

Inventory & Analysis Page 15

Design Options Page 21

Appendices Page 37

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 5

Acknowledgments01

Acknowledgments

Owner United States Forest Service Department of Agriculture Cherokee National Forest James Hunt, Contracting Officer Jesse English, MLA, Recreation Program Manager Jay Chapman, PE Facilities Engineer

Project Team Project Lead: RMA Architects, PSC Jeanette Rullan, Principal

Civil Engineer: ALPHA Corporation Holly Adams, PE Senior Civil Engineer Johann Dobak, PE Senior Project Manager

Structural Engineer: ALPHA Corporation Sara Power, Structural Operations Manager Andrew Updike, PE Senior Structural Engineer

Landscape Architect: RATIO Andrew Harrell, PLA, SITES AP John Jackson, PLA, LEED

Geotechnical Engineer: Terracon Consultants, Inc.

John D. Cannon, PE Senior Engineer David A. Been, PE Senior Engineer Consultant

Land Surveyor: L.I. Smith & Associates, Inc.

Larry I Smith, RLS, PE

Cost Estimator: RIB U.S. COST Andreas Kristanto, CCP Howards Campbell, Senior Cost Estimator

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 7

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 9

Executive Summary02

Executive Summary The Forest Service requested Architectural and Engineering (A/E) services to deliver a complete design for a new overlook, walkway, and river access at the Baby Falls Day Use Area. During Phase 1 the team performed a site investigation which includes, a topographic survey, geotechnical studies, hydrology, and hydraulic calculations, and also developed two general design approaches.

The priorities defined by the Forest Service for these design approaches consider:

• Optimizing construction efficiency and, to the extent possible, utilizing standard types, materials, and structures readily available in the geographic area.

• Facilitating effective visitor use management while minimizing the visual impact on the site.

• Incorporating applicable Forest Service standards for appearance and aesthetics. In this case, the appearance and aesthetics will be heavily guided by existing designs for the replacement of the Bald River Falls Bridge.

Preliminary virtual meetings were held with the Forest Service to discuss site investigation data received, alternative concepts, and design approaches. The preliminary design drawings for the two alternatives were further developed and are presented in this narrative with their corresponding cost estimates. Due to site constraints, the variation of the two options being presented are mainly changes in pathway slopes that approach the two overlook platforms that result in minor variations on retaining walls and changes to the pedestrian access from the main overlook to the road.

Purpose and Scope of the Project History The Cherokee National Forest is in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. It is the largest tract of public land in the state, with approximately 650,000 acres. It adjoins the Great Smokey Mountain National Park and The Georgia and North Carolina National Forests. Congress has designated 10% or more than 66,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest as Wildernesses. The Forest provides habitat for over 43 species of mammals, 154 species of fish, 55 species of amphibians, and 262 species of birds. The Forest is managed cooperatively as a Wild Management Area under an agreement between the Forest Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources. The Forest Service is responsible for managing wildlife habitat.

The Cherokee National Forest is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

The Southern section of the Cherokee National Forest spans two counties, Monroe and Polk, and two ranger districts, Tellico, and Ocoee Hiwassee. The Tellico Ranger District is directly south of the Great Smokey Mountains national park and adjacent to Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. It includes three Congressional designated Wildernesses areas, Bald River George, Citico Creek, and Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Cherokee National Forest. The rivers and creeks cascade from their headwaters through the rugged Unicoi Mountains. The Cherohala Skyway 43-mile National Scenic Byway transverses these mountains connecting the Cherokee and the Nantahala national forest.

There are several waterfalls through the Tellico Ranger District, and most are accessible only by trail, but both the 90-foot Bald River Falls and the recreational Baby Falls can be viewed along the National Forest System Road (NFSR) 210. Bald River Falls is one of the most spectacular falls in the region, and Baby Falls Day Use is a popular recreation area providing picnicking and water play activities. The Baby Falls Day Use parking area also serves to facilitate visitor vehicles turning around in the corridor after viewing Bald River Falls. The Tellico River is popular for trout angling and other outdoor recreation activities.

AIN’T LOUIE CANOE FEST (PADDLING MAGAZINE)

AIN’T LOUIE CANOE FEST (PADDLING MAGAZINE)

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 11

Baby Falls also offers visitors hiking, kayaking, swimming, and whitewater opportunities. The Baby Falls area has two “pools”, the upper pool has more shallow water while the lower pool is deep enough to allow visitors to slide down a smooth patch on the rocks and to ride their kayaks down the waterfall. Visitors enjoy the lush green trees and the scenery while engaging with kayakers and swimmers that adventure down the falls, while others hike along the river and the rocks on the riverbank.

Goals of the Project The Forest Service has identified a need to construct a new overlook, walkway, and river access at the Baby Falls Day Use Area. The project is needed because current access to the vista at Baby Falls is inadequate for sightseers and motorists on Tellico River Road and is causing natural resource damage to the Tellico River riparian area.

The location of the proposed overlook is currently undeveloped but heavily used and degraded. It is a popular location to view the falls, access the river, and bring kayaks up the bank after going over Baby Falls.

Aesthetic considerations are important to this project’s success, especially as viewed from the river. Natural materials, shapes, and colors should be seen, especially when viewed from below and from the lip of the falls. Bright wood or metal structures, cement footers or walls, bright signs, visibly intrusive foundations, and undersides of structures will be considered undesirable intrusions into the natural scenery. The desire is to use on-site materials as much as possible for the rock work. Design elements from the new Bald River Falls bridge, including handrails, should be incorporated to tie the two locations together.

Visitor experience, from both the perspective of the fall’s observer and the river user, is also especially important.

The “fishbowl” effect should be minimized, by aligning viewing opportunities along the road and spreading them among several smaller viewing sites rather than in a single large platform.

Desired design elements of the site include:

1. A pedestrian walkway, at least 6 feet wide and extending for approximately 240 feet, from the existing walkway at the Baby Falls Day Use site to the proposed overlook site. This walkway should provide pedestrians protection from vehicular traffic on FSR 210 using barriers or grade separation.

2. An accessible secondary overlook is to be located near 35.326855, -84.176359.

3. Approximately 110 feet of a handrail or other restriction, extending from the north of the Secondary Overlook to the proposed location of the Main Overlook.

4. A Main Overlook sited at approximately 35.3266914, -84.1762092. Steps from the walkway to this overlook are allowable, and this landing should provide room for small groups. This landing will have a handrail.

5. Rustic rock steps will lead to a landing made of rough stones at about 35.3266454, -84.1762481. Rough steps will continue down to the edge of the river to allow for water access.

6. Road and walkway stabilization measures may be necessary for about 50 feet of the walkway between the secondary and main overlooks. A slight narrowing or realignment of FSR 210 may also be considered as part of the project, if advantageous to cost and construction.

7. Any route up to the road from below the Falls should ensure sufficient space to carry and turn a 12-foot boat on either shoulder, and any railings should not prevent shoulder-carrying a boat. Ideally, the route will allow kayakers to carry their boats out of the water without walking directly through the viewing areas.

8. Any trees between the river and the road should be maintained to the maximum extent possible.

AIN’T LOUIE CANOE FEST AT APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PRIMARY OVERLOOK (YOUTUBE, 2012)

AIN’T LOUIE CANOE FEST AT APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BOAT LAUNCH (YOUTUBE, 2012)

BABY FALLS USERS (FLICKR)

PROCESS

A site visit was held on November 7th and 8th, 2022.

The Forest Service, represented by Jesse English, MLA (JE) Cherokee National Forest Recreational Project Manager and Jay Chapman, P.E. (JCH) Cherokee National Forest Facilities Engineer met with the A-E team led by Architect Jeannette Rullan from RMA Architects PSC.

Present from the RMA team were Eng. Johann Dobak from Alpha Corporation, Architects John Jackson and Andrew Harrell from Ratio Design, Surveyor Larry I Smith from RLS, and Geotechnical Engineers, John D. Cannon PE David A. Been, PE. from Terracon.

During the November 7th, 2022 meeting, work restrictions and design considerations were addressed.

Coordination of work between the FS and the geotechnical firm Terracon such as the need to close one lane of the Tellico River Road during core drilling were addressed. A site walk-through followed on November 8th, 2022. Opportunities and constraints were identified, and general conceptual design approaches were discussed. In addition, the possibility of narrowing the road and/or slightly redirecting the road was discussed due to the low vehicular velocity on River Road (FSR210), as a means to deal with space limitations.

Other major issues besides physical constraints are erosion, the safety of visitors/users, and understanding high-water levels. At the time of the site visit, the team had the opportunity to see sightseers and swimmers jumping the falls during the site visit, but no Kayaks were seen at the time due to low river water. Nevertheless, through YouTube videos, we were able to become familiar with the activities during the high season.

Furthermore, it was discussed that the base of the road is rock and might be fractured, allowing water to seep from one side of the road to the other side. Thereby, the proposed improvements shall consider this condition to avoid any damage caused by blocking this flow.

The Scope of Work also requires that the overlook design considers 10-15 people at any one time and be correctly located for maximum view. The Secondary Overlook had to be accessible but if the Primary Overlook cannot be accessible the Forest Service can provide a waiver. A future connection to Bald River Falls is planned but there is currently no funding, so the AE must consider this possibility in the design options.

A Winter storm in December 2022 caused delays in the site investigation phase, particularly in the survey and geotechnical services. A request for a time extension due to weather conditions was submitted and approved by the Forest Service. The surveyor delivered the work on January 2023.

On February 9th, 2023, a new time extension was requested due to delays in the performance of the work by Terracon, the geotechnical engineer. This time they reported issues with the drill and conflicting construction traffic on the road due to other construction work in the area. This additional time extension was approved, and a revised schedule was submitted. The Geotechnical report was delivered on March 2023.

The A/E Team held weekly coordination meetings to discuss the progress of the site investigations and conceptual design alternatives to meet the Forest Service scope of work and expectations at the lowest impact on the site as possible feasible.

On March 1st, 2023 an informal virtual presentation with Jay Chapman, PE was held, and on March 8, 2023, another presentation was held with Jesse English, MLA to go over the preliminary studies and the conceptual design that had been developed. The presentations included preliminary drawings showing the proposed realignment of River Road (FSR210) pavements, alternative retaining walls, alternative pathway slope variations towards the Main and Secondary overlook, and accessibility considerations. In addition, the orientation of the overlook to maximize views and the delimitation of the 2 feet above 100- the year flood boundary for construction improvements were also discussed.

BABY FALLS WHITEWATER CANOE (WIKIMEDIA)

BABY FALLS WHITEWATER KAYAK (YOUTUBE)

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 13

On March 9th, 2023 reference images showing stone textures of small constructed features along Tellico River Road and board-formed concrete, on the new Bald River Falls Bridge were provided by Jesse English, MLA. As a follow-up to the presentation, Forest Service provided these images as the feel they are searching for, suggesting a combination of some elements of the larger rocks and steps from the trail and the smaller-scale elements from the bridge be considered.

On April 5th, 2023, a meeting with the independent cost estimator was held to go over the two options. Drawings and narratives were shared with the independent cost estimator on April 8th, 2023. Forest Service indicated that the estimate was to consider competitive bidding, no accelerated schedule, and that the Months of January and February are consistently bad for construction but December and March although inconsistent construction work can be achieved. Therefore a 9-month construction phase was estimated considering these assumptions

BUDGET

The original estimated construction cost was established in the RFP to be $600,000. During the proposal phase, it was agreed between Forest Service and the A-E Team that the cost estimate from Phase 2 will define the budget for the project.

The independent cost estimate was received for the two Options. Option 1 is estimated to be $853,076 and Option 2 is estimated to be $909,869.

BALD RIVER FALLS RENDERING (USFS)

BABY FALLS (TRIP ADVISOR) MASONRY PRECEDENT (USFS)

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 15

Inventory & Analysis03

INVENTORY

SITE LOCATION

Baby Falls is located near the edge of Cherokee National Forest, 11-miles east of Tellico Plains, Tennessee. The site is located adjacent to River Road, a paved and mostly unstriped road that runs from Cherohala Skyway to the Tennessee, North Carolina Border. River Road provides access to many recreational opportunities, including the Tellico Ranger District Station, Buck Branch Falls, Bald River Falls, Baby Falls, Panther Branch Trailhead, North River Checking Station, Dam Creek Recreation Area, the Tellico Trout Hatchery, among others.

This project is located along the southern bank of the Tellico River.

The project area is bound to the east by River Road (FSR 210) and the mountain bank and to the west by the northern Tellico River bank. The project area is bound to the north and south by the Tellico River bed.

The improvements proposed with this project extend from the existing Baby Falls Day Use Area located off of the west side of River Road (FSR 210). The Day Use Area provides a paved parking lot, vault toilet restrooms, and an uncovered picnic area. A concrete pedestrian sidewalk is located along the western edge of the parking lot. Supporting facilities include wooden and rock traffic barriers, trash bins, Cherokee National Forest kiosks, and signage.

EXISTING TOPOGRAPHY, COVERAGE,

AND VEGETATION

The existing land cover of the project area consists of dense, mature vegetation, rocks and boulders, and compacted soil with gravel in the areas of the proposed walkways and overlooks.

The existing topography is steep with elevations at the project site ranging from below 1370 feet at the toe of the slope along the riverbank to 1415 feet at River Road (FSR 210) at the northern portion of the project where it ties into the Day Use Area pavement and walkway.

In general, River Road (FSR 210) slopes north to south and runoff makes its way west towards the river. The majority of the project area consists of steep slopes with significant areas of erosion along the river bank extending into the roadway pavement section.

UTILITIES & UNDERGROUND FEATURES

Two (2) 18-inch corrugated metal pipes (CMP) are located under River Road (FSR 210) within the limits of the project survey. One of the pipes extends under the limits of the proposed walkway and shall be modified as shown on a future design submittal.

CRITICAL AREAS

This site shall be evaluated for the presence of jurisdictional wetlands in accordance with the United States Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and regulatory guidance. All potential impacts to wetlands and Waters of the U.S. shall be mitigated.

There is severe erosion of the river banks in the area of the project.

The contractor shall take extra precautions throughout construction to minimize further erosion.

BABY FALLS DAY USE AREA EXISTING SOUTHERN RIVER BANK TYPICAL AREA OF EROSION UNDER FSR 210

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 17

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY INFORMATION

A topographic survey of the project area was prepared by L.I. Smith & Associates dated January 2023. The survey consists of limited field-verified site features, key spot elevations, and geometrics. A total of fifteen (15) field run cross-sections were performed at key locations along the Tellico River.

The topographic survey is based on the Tennessee State Plane Coordinate System North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) (horizontal) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) (vertical).

GEOTECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

A Geotechnical Engineering Report has been provided for this project by Terracon dated March 22, 2023. Six (6) soil borings were performed, including three (3) on the east side of River Road and three (3) on the west side of River Road.

In summary, the subsurface conditions consist of fill, including broken rock varying in size from large boulders to gravel, covered with shallow silty sand soils, and crushed stone base materials in the upper two (2) to six and a half (6.5) feet; and bedrock, consisting of Precambrian age feldspathic sandstone, graywacke, and fine conglomerates.

Groundwater was not apparent during drilling or in the retrieved samples.

A Seismic Site Classification B should be considered for this project.

FEMA FLOOD DATA

Under the February 3, 2010, FEMA FIRM Map 47123C0435D, the project area is located in FEMA Flood Zone A, Special Flood Hazard Area, with a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of 47FED. The limits of a 1% Annual chance of flooding are provided with this report per the FIRM panel. While the limits suggest the project area is inundated during the 100-year flood, the detailed analysis suggests that a more accurate flood boundary does not reach as high as the River Road edge of the pavement.

WETLAND & STREAM DATA

Per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Surface Water and Wetlands Mapping System, the Riverine habitat classified as R3RB1H is located on the subject project site.

THREATENED & ENDANGERED SPECIES

Under the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan (TN-SWAP) 2015 Habitat Priorities Combined Conservation Priorities for Terrestrial, Downstream Aquatic, and Adjacent Karst Habitats Database, the area of the proposed project ranges from Medium to High priority for species of greatest conservation need.

ANALYSIS

SITE DEMOLITION

Preparation of the site includes demolition of existing pavements and underlying fill, clearing and grubbing all trees and vegetation necessary for construction, and excavations and removals necessary for the installation of tie-backs and engineered placement of fill. Conventional stripping should be avoided. The Contractor shall make every effort to save as many trees as possible due to the beneficial effects the root systems have on stabilizing the slopes. All stumps within the limits of clearing shall be grubbed and hauled off-site by the Contractor.

Any underground features, including roadway drainage, shall be removed only to the extent necessary to maintain functionality when interfering with new work. Demolish and/or abandon in place existing drainage lines and associated features to be relocated. All remaining demolition items not designated for reuse, including roadway pavement, soil stockpile, and other miscellaneous materials, shall be removed from the site and properly and legally disposed of.

Where fill is placed on existing slopes steeper than 3H:1V, stabilization measures such as shallow rock anchors should be utilized to secure rock near the toe to provide a stable anchorage on which to build a suitable rock slope. Fill and compact all excavated areas with backfill meeting the specifications of a licensed geotechnical engineer.

NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP (USFWS)

STUDY AREA

The study area is strategically sampled to encompass the proposed improvement limits and capture the additional areas upstream and downstream of these limits. The anticipated limits of improvements (project area) start from the existing concrete sidewalk south of the Baby Falls Day Use Area and extend approximately 250 linear feet south along the west side of the existing River Road (FSR 210). The study area covers areas approximately 100 linear feet upstream of the project area and 300 linear feet downstream from the project area.

HYDROLOGY

Alpha performed a hydrological analysis using the most recent version of available hydrological tools by the USGS, StreamStats Service Version

1.2.22. This program was utilized to perform a hydrological analysis for the subject drainage areas of Tellico River to a strategically chosen point to generate conservative flows for the study.

StreamStats was utilized to perform a hydrological analysis to obtain the flows upstream of the Point of Investigation (POI). The POI for this analysis was conservatively placed at the flow line of Tellico River before its confluence location with Bald River. The hydrological POI for the project is located approximately 1,500 linear feet downstream of the project location. A summary of the drainage area and peak flow calculations is provided in the tables below.

HYDROLOGY & HYDRAULIC

CONSIDERATIONS

FINISHED FLOOR ELEVATIONS

The finished floors of both the primary and secondary overlooks exceed the minimum elevation requirement of two feet above the 100-year storm event rise to minimize flood hazards.

GRADING

The project site is graded to promote positive drainage away from the existing roadway and towards the river while minimizing concentrated runoff to minimize erosion along the steep riverbanks.

The exposed ground is to be sloped a minimum of 5% away from the structure for a minimum of five feet to ensure effective drainage has been achieved.

DRAINAGE DESIGN & STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT

Existing conditions have been modeled in Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) software to demonstrate that the proposed design can pass the 2-year storm event without constricting flow, as well as verify that the 100-year storm event is no less than two feet from the main overlook finished floor elevation.

HYDRAULICS

Alpha developed a new hydraulic model for the study area. The existing hydraulic models for the project area were not available from FEMA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) software version 4.1.0 was utilized to perform this limited study hydraulic analysis. This limited study was developed based on the FEMA G&S, Appendix C., Guidance for Riverine Flooding Analysis and Mapping.

Flood profiles for the 2-year and the 100-year flood events were developed based on the hydrologic results and transposed over the surveyed terrain. The flood boundaries were automatically mapped using AutoCAD Civil 3D to follow the ground run survey triangulated surface model. A 2.0-square-foot elevation grid resolution was used for flood boundary mapping. The results summary for each cross-section within the model boundary is provided in the table below. The main overlook is located approximately at Section 105 and the secondary overlook is located approximately at Section 107.

Section

(XS ID)

Water Surface Elevation (ft)

Average Channel Velocity (ft/s)

2-YR 100-YR 2-YR 100-YR

114 1406.2 1410.8 9.5 15.1

113 1405.5 1409.9 8.9 14.9

112 1402.6 1407.1 11.3 16.2

111 1401.9 1408.4 4.3 7.0

110 1401.6 1408.1 4.6 7.6

109 1401.0 1407.3 6.3 9.2

108 1398.4 1403.6 12.4 17.4

107 1392.0 1395.7 10.2 14.7

106 1384.3 1389.9 5.3 8.7

105 1381.8 1386.3 11.0 15.5

104 1377.8 1381.4 10.0 14.2

103 1372.7 1378.6 7.3 9.8

102 1370.8 1375.4 7.3 12.4

101 1370.1 1374.6 6.2 10.1

100 1367.5 1371.5 10.1 14.0

POI Drainage Basin

(sq. mi.)

NAD 83

Lat

NAD 83

Long

Tellico River at Confluence with Bald River

51.1 35.32479 - 84.17652

Storm Event Flow (cfs)

Low (cfs)

High (cfs)

Average Prediction Error (%)

2-Year 3,110 1,670 5,790 39.2

100-Year 10,000 5,600 30,600 55.2

HYDRAULICS RESULTS SUMMARY

CALCULATED DRAINAGE AREA

TELLICO RIVER PEAK FLOW RESULTS

AREA OF FSR 210 IMPROVEMENTS

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 19

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 21

Design Options04

Roadway Shift The project area is located off of the two (2.0) lane River Road (FSR 210) constructed between a mountain bank and a riverbank with limited site visibility.

Existing roadway pavement sections and shoulder sections do not meet current TDOT design standards. Roadway pavement sections just south of the project area are approximately 18.0 feet wide with pavement sections just north of the project area that are 24.0 feet wide with a variable width gravel and compacted soil shoulder that is currently used as an unofficial pedestrian walkway along the west side of the roadway.

A slight narrowing of River Road (FSR 210) is proposed from the western edge of the pavement. The proposed roadway alignment ties into the existing 18.0-foot pavement section approximately 110 feet south of the main overlook area and holds the east side of the pavement to establish a new alignment that falls within the limits of the existing pavement.

Starting at the southern project limits, the 18.0-foot roadway section would continue approximately 380 linear feet north and transition back out to 24.0 feet wide at the intersection of the Day Use Area. This would allow the east side of the roadway asphalt to remain, including the sections of pavement wider than the 9.0-foot lane, to minimize roadway work along the mountain bank side of the roadway.

While the proposed narrowing of River Road (FSR 210) from the western edge of pavement will allow a four-foot shoulder with guardrail to be constructed between the pedestrian walkway and the roadway, it also will not meet TDOT design standards. The proposed alignment is based on best-fit geometry. The shoulder width is based on the available width to construct the pedestrian walkway above the river top of bank

– independent of traffic counts, speed limits, primary vehicle types traveling the roadway, etc. and allows grade separation of the new 6.0-foot concrete pedestrian walkway along the stream top of the bank up to the overlook areas.

In summary, while the roadway section design does not meet new roadway design criteria, this project will provide more convenient and safer pedestrian access from the Baby Falls Day Use Area to the new overlook areas than currently exists with the proposed improvements.

Design elements to consider with a future design phase to improve safety include:

• Installing solar flashing lights warning drivers of pedestrians.

• Installing audible rumble strips in the asphalt pavement to warn drivers of pedestrians.

40’

BABY

FALLS

Secondary Overlook

Pedestrian crossing with advanced warning signs and/or street markings

Pavement reduction continues, see appendix for full extents

Primary Overlook

Boat launch

TELLICO

RIVER

[Elevation Southwest Walk]

[Section Secondary Overlook]

[Section Primary Overlook]

DAY USE

AREA

WILDERNESS

AREA

R iv er R oa d

OPTION 1 SITE PLAN

Vehicular guardrail

Reduce existing pavement width

Start of outdoor recreation access route and reduction of existing pavement width

Outdoor recreation access route with retaining wall and handrail

2-ft above 100-year floodplain

100-year floodplain

2-year floodplain

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 23

Option 1 Two overlooks are desired to capture views adjacent to Baby Falls and downstream of the falls. A larger primary overlook with (2) tiers is placed at a downstream location of the falls. This location was identified due to its optimal view and use to take whitewater boats in and out of the river. A smaller, secondary overlook captures a view adjacent to the falls. Both overlooks are angled to emphasize a view upstream and downstream of the each viewing location.

The site is topographically constrained and makes it difficult to place site elements. Given the narrowed section of River Road, a 5-foot pedestrian access route is placed parallel to the road that roughly stays within the existing top of slope area.

The primary overlook includes a set of stairs to connect pedestrians to River Road with appropriate pedestrian crossing and advanced warning signs.

Visitors commonly walk to Baby Falls from the Bald River Falls area and the concept accommodates the pedestrian movement. Without a stair connection to the primary overlook, visitors form Bald River Falls would have to walk all the way to the Day Use Area to get to the pedestrian access route and then walk back to the primary overlook. Similarly, there are unofficial parallel parking spaces on the north edge of River Road and a stair connection would reduce the distance those visitors would have to walk along River Road.

Several renderings approximate the views and spatial quality of the primary and secondary overlooks.

PERSPECTIVE - OPTION 1 PRIMARY OVERLOOK

PERSPECTIVE - OPTION 1 SECONDARY OVERLOOK LOOKING WESTPERSPECTIVE - OPTION 1 PRIMARY OVERLOOK LOOKING EASTPERSPECTIVE - OPTION 1 PRIMARY OVERLOOK LOOKING WEST

ELEVATION - OPTION 1 SOUTHWEST WALK

Outdoor Recreation Access Route

Secondary Overlook Primary Overlook

All site features should meet the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG). The outdoor recreation access route (ORAR) is used to connect constructed features in a recreation site which includes the day-use area to the primary and secondary overlooks. The ORAR meets all guidelines for longitudinal slope, cross-slope, width, obstructions, and other metrics as proivded by the FSORAG and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)

Per the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG), the secondary overlook would classify as a viewing area and meets all the criteria to provide an unobstructed, safe, and accessible area to experience Baby Falls.

The secondary overlook is smaller than the primary overlook and provides a view adjacent to the falls and closer to the Day

Use Area. The stone wall is extended higher to double as fall protection

The primary overlook meets all of the guidelines provided by the FSORAG as a viewing area. This location is meant to capture the main view of the waterfall. Two-tiers, separated by stairs are used to get a viewing platform closer to the water level. Stairs are used to get between the viewing tiers and to a kayak boat launch at the water’s edge.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260261

TW 1414.28

BW 1413.85

BW 1401.61

BW 1405.84BW 1405.74

BW 1391.92

A1 ELEVATION - SOUTHWEST WALK

1" = 10'-0"

PROPOSED SURFACE & TOP OF WALL

BOTTOM OF WALL

2-FT ABOVE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

100-YR FLOODPLAIN

2-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

EDGE OF ROAD

CENTER OF TELLICO RIVER

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BABY FALLS WATERFALL

SECONDARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL PRIMARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL

BW 1388.54

TW 1402.29

TW 1408.99

TW 1411.96

ROAD BARRIER

PEDESTRIAN HANDRAIL

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 78

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8.

3-11'

OVERLOOK

5'-0"

WALK

4'-0"

C1 SECTION - SECONDARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1411.96

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 93

2-

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C4 SECTION - PRIMARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1402.29

TW 1408.99

BW 1388.54

1382.50

DRAWN

DESIGNER

STAMPS, LOGOS, AND SEALS

PROJECT NAME

DRAWING TITLE

CHECKED

ARCHIVE NO.DATE

PROJECT NO.

DRAWING SHEET NO.

OFSHEET

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

(R8)

SOUTHERN REGION

BABY FALLS

OVERLOOK

CHEROKEE NATIONAL

FOREST

TELLICO RANGER STATION

SITE SECTIONS

A.HAR

A.HAR

X.XXX

XXXXX

X

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260261

TW 1414.28

BW 1413.85

BW 1401.61

BW 1405.84BW 1405.74

BW 1391.92

A1 ELEVATION - SOUTHWEST WALK

1" = 10'-0"

PROPOSED SURFACE & TOP OF WALL

BOTTOM OF WALL

2-FT ABOVE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

100-YR FLOODPLAIN

2-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

EDGE OF ROAD

CENTER OF TELLICO RIVER

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BABY FALLS WATERFALL

SECONDARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL PRIMARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL

BW 1388.54

TW 1402.29

TW 1408.99

TW 1411.96

ROAD BARRIER

PEDESTRIAN HANDRAIL

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 78

2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O

D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

VE

-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

8.

3-11'

OVERLOOK

5'-0"

WALK

4'-0"

C1 SECTION - SECONDARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1411.96

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 93

2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O

D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

VE

-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

7.

>3 '-1

0"

±2 '-0

C4 SECTION - PRIMARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1402.29

TW 1408.99

BW 1388.54

1382.50

DRAWN

DESIGNER

STAMPS, LOGOS, AND SEALS

PROJECT NAME

DRAWING TITLE

CHECKED

ARCHIVE NO.DATE

PROJECT NO.

DRAWING SHEET NO.

OFSHEET

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

(R8)

SOUTHERN REGION

BABY FALLS

OVERLOOK

CHEROKEE NATIONAL

FOREST

TELLICO RANGER STATION

SITE SECTIONS

A.HAR

A.HAR

X.XXX

XXXXX

X

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 25

Materials should match existing US Forest Service projects and recommendations. Where possible, the design should coordinate material choices with the Bald River Bridge replacement project and the nearby Bald River trail stone stairs & stone wall. The design assumes that rocks and boulder on and around the site will be reclaimed to be used for wall facades, stairs, and other site elements.

Materials vehicular guardrail concrete pavement stone retaining wall stone slab kayak launch stone stairs integrated stone seating in wall

Option 2 shares much of the same layout as Concept 1 but differs in elevation changes. Concept 2 uses ramps between 5-8.33% slope to descend closer to the water and decrease the height of the overlook retaining walls. The intent is to reduce the visual impact of the overlooks and blend in more with the surrounding environment compared to Concept 1.

By using ramps, the secondary overlook wall can be decreased by approximately 2-ft and the primary overlook wall can be decreased by approximately 3.25-ft. However, decreasing the elevation of the overlook walls requires the height of the road retaining wall to increase to a maximum of approximately 4-ft.

More stair risers are required to traverse between River Road and the primary overlook. Concept 2 shifts the stairs to accommodate more 7-inch risers.

Option 2 Ramp, maximum 8.33% slope

River Road

Secondary overlook

Ramp, maximum 8.33% slope

Retaining wall

Primary overlook

BABY

FALLS

WILDERNESS

AREA

20’

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 27

SECTION - OPTION 2 PRIMARY OVERLOOK

ELEVATION - OPTION 2 SOUTHWEST WALK

Outdoor Recreation Access Route

Start of ramps

Secondary Overlook Primary Overlook

In Option 2, ORAR uses (2) ramps, slopes between 5-8.33%, to descend closer to the waterfall while still complying with FSORAG. Given the steeper longitudinal slopes, the wall heights of the secondary and primary overlook decrease.

But the lower overlook elevations require a taller and more extensive retaining wall between the ORAR and River Road.

In Option 2, the secondary overlook is lowered by approximately 2-ft

In Option 2, the primary overlook is lowered by approximately 3.25 ft

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 78 2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

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F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

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=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

VE

-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

8.

3-11'

OVERLOOK

5'-0"

WALK

4'-0"

C1 SECTION - SECONDARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1409.96 TW 1408.59

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 93

2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O

D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

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-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

7.

>3 '-1

0"

±2 '-0

C4 SECTION - PRIMARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1398.66

TW 1405.56

TW 1406.79

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270272

A1 ELEVATION - SOUTHWEST WALK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

PROPOSED SURFACE & TOP OF WALL

BOTTOM OF WALL

2-FT ABOVE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

100-YR FLOODPLAIN

2-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

EDGE OF ROAD

CENTER OF TELLICO RIVER

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BABY FALLS WATERFALL

SECONDARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL PRIMARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL

ROAD BARRIER

PEDESTRIAN HANDRAIL

TW 1409.96

TW 1405.56

TW 1398.66

DRAWN

DESIGNER

STAMPS, LOGOS, AND SEALS

PROJECT NAME

DRAWING TITLE

CHECKED

ARCHIVE NO.DATE

PROJECT NO.

DRAWING SHEET NO.

OFSHEET

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

(R8)

SOUTHERN REGION

BABY FALLS

OVERLOOK

CHEROKEE NATIONAL

FOREST

TELLICO RANGER STATION

SITE SECTIONS

OPTION 2

A.HAR

A.HAR

X.XXX

XXXXX

X

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 78

2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O

D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

VE

-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

8.

3-11'

OVERLOOK

5'-0"

WALK

4'-0"

C1 SECTION - SECONDARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1409.96 TW 1408.59

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 93

2-

YE

AR

F

LO

O

D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

2.

0-

YE

AR

F

LO

O D

PL

AI

N

EL

EV

=1

5.

2-

FO

O T

AB

O

VE

-Y

EA

R

EL

EV

=1

7.

>3 '-1

0"

±2 '-0

C4 SECTION - PRIMARY OVERLOOK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

TW 1398.66

TW 1405.56

TW 1406.79

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270272

A1 ELEVATION - SOUTHWEST WALK

1" = 10'-0" DETAIL-FILE

PROPOSED SURFACE & TOP OF WALL

BOTTOM OF WALL

2-FT ABOVE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

100-YR FLOODPLAIN

2-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

EDGE OF ROAD

CENTER OF TELLICO RIVER

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BABY FALLS WATERFALL

SECONDARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL PRIMARY OVERLOOK

CORNER OF WALL

ROAD BARRIER

PEDESTRIAN HANDRAIL

TW 1409.96

TW 1405.56

TW 1398.66

DRAWN

DESIGNER

STAMPS, LOGOS, AND SEALS

PROJECT NAME

DRAWING TITLE

CHECKED

ARCHIVE NO.DATE

PROJECT NO.

DRAWING SHEET NO.

OFSHEET

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

(R8)

SOUTHERN REGION

BABY FALLS

OVERLOOK

CHEROKEE NATIONAL

FOREST

TELLICO RANGER STATION

SITE SECTIONS

OPTION 2

A.HAR

A.HAR

X.XXX

X

Structural Engineering Structural Design Standards The structural design standards for this project follow the codes and standards specified in the latest edition of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Standards Specifications. If a conflict arises between codes, the stricter design criteria shall control.

Applicable Codes & Criteria

• International Building Code, 2015

• ASCE 7-16, “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other

Structures”

• ACI 310-10, “Standard Specifications for Structural

Concrete”

• ACI 318-14, “Building Code Requirements for Structural

Concrete”

• AISC Steel Construction Manual, 15th Edition

• Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)

• Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines

(FSORAG)

Materials

• Concrete

− 4,000 psi compressive strength at 28 days, normal weight, air entrained for slabs on ground.

− 4,000 psi compressive strength at 28 days, normal weight, retaining walls.

• Steel − Reinforcing Steel: ASTM A615, grade 60 − Plain Welded Wire Fabric Flat Sheets: ASTM A185 − Other Structural Steel: ASTM A36, with 36,000 psi yield, Unless Noted Otherwise.

− High Strength Bolts, A325 or A490.

− Anchor Rods F1554, Grade 36, with 36,000 psi yield.

− Welding Electrodes, E70XX.

Loading

• Wind Loads

− Ultimate Wind Speed: 115 MPH − Exposure: B − Seismic Design − Seismic Risk Category: II − Seismic Design Category: C − Site Class: B − Spectral Response Coefficient: Sds = 0.458, Sd1 = 0.08 − Period Acceleration: Ss = 0.764, S1 = 0.149

Summary The Forest Service is adding two new overlooks and a stair access to the water for use by visitors and kayakers on the south side of Baby Falls along the Tellico River in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. The project includes improvements to access along the slope on the west side of River Road. It will include concrete retaining walls featuring stone façade to support the overlooks and parts of River Road above. A sidewalk will be provided for ADA accessibility to the overlooks. The proposed plan includes a primary overlook featuring two levels and a secondary overlook with one level.

Design Concept The proposed retaining walls vary in retained height from

4.5 ft to approximately 12 ft. The retaining walls will be free standing cantilevered reinforced concrete walls. The overlooks and pathway will consist of concrete slab on grade with haunches at each end. The access to water will be via concrete stairs and concrete slab on grade landings. As the stairs approach the water, large natural rocks or boulders are planned to be used to create an aesthetic stair into the river. The included sketches illustrate the preliminary structural design. The included plan locates the typical sketch conditions for the project.

Overlooks & Pathways The primary overlook will have two cantilevered retaining walls to support the upper and lower levels. The secondary overlook will have one cantilevered retaining wall to support a single level. The pathway that leads toward the overlooks will have a cantilevered retaining wall on the east side to support the road above. In any instance where a concrete retaining wall is proposed, a stone façade is to be included to provide a natural aesthetic. The typical haunched slab on grade for the overlooks and the pathway will be 4” thick concrete reinforced with 6x6-W2.5xW2.5 WWF. Sketch 2 outlines the typical condition for both the pathway and overlooks.

RETAINING WALL REFERENCE MAP

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 29

Retaining Walls Design details for the retaining walls are typical as below. Sketch 1 also shows a typical retaining wall condition.

Typical Retaining Wall

• Stem

Thickness = 14” Max retained height = 12 ft Wall height above retained soil = 2’-0” to 3’-10”

• Footing Width = 4’-0” to 8’-0” Thickness = 14”

• Footing Key Width = 14” Depth = 18”

• Reinforcement Stem: #8 at 10” each way Footing: #8 at 10” each way, top and bottom Footing Key: #8 at 10” each way

• Weep Holes at 10’ on center

Kayak Access Point The concrete stairs will have a minimum thickness of 12” reinforced with #5 at 12” each way, top and bottom.

Nosing bars will be #4. Instances where concrete stairs are applicable based on the architectural plans will be typical of Sketch 4. Typical slab on grade landings will be 4” thick concrete reinforced with 6x6-W2.5xW2.5 WWF. Sketch 3 outlines the typical slab on grade condition.

Cost Estimation Summary A cost estimation report was generated for Option 1 and Option 2. The full report is provided in the appendix and a summary is provided here.

The basis of the pricing used reflects the probable construction costs which can be obtained in the Cleveland, TN area for the project as understood by the estimators. This estimate assumes a competitive bid procurement, and is an opinion of probable costs based on fair market value, and is not a prediction of the anticipated low bid.

Option 1 Option 2 Direct Trade Construction Cost

Existing Conditions

$114,335 $114,335

Earthwork

$39,119 $39,302

Exterior Improvements

Rigid Paving $28,718 $31,108

Aggregate Surfacing $30,276 $28.795

Paving Specialties $25,245 $26,913

Metal Railing $51,803 $62,913

Retaining Walls $208,593 $221,890

Remove, Transport, Install Boulders $37,907 $47,384

Planting Preparation $774 $774

Turf and Grasses $75 $75 subtotal $383,391 $419,852

Field Requirements, Overhead, Profit

Field Overhead (9-months) 23% 23%

Bonds, Permits, Fees, Insurance 2% 2%

Home Office Overhead 3% 3%

Profit 7% 7% subtotal $225,992 $241,038

Escalation to the Midpoint 4.48% 4.48%

TOTAL $853,076 $909,869

Cost SummaryOption 1 $853,076

Option 2 $909,869

BABY FALLS OVERLOOK PROJECT UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE 31

On May 1st, 2023 a Predesign report was submitted and a Design Presentation meeting was held. During the meeting, alternative designs and the results from the site investigation studies were discussed.

On May 11, 2023, a site visit was held between Holly Adams, the civil engineer, and the Forest Service to discuss the alternatives on-site. Items discussed were the following:

• The Forest Service leans towards Option 2 due to the views.

− Standing at the approximate elevation of both options, Option 2 gives a better view of the falls − FS is concerned with people using the retaining near the road in

Option 1 as seating and a place to congregate.

• Steps to the roadway and crosswalk are still on the table.

• Speed limit = 25 MPH; drivers slow down to view the falls now

− Open to rumble strips (existing not adequate), solar flashing lighted signs, etc.

Action Items:

1. Confirm guardrail meets the Level 3 minimum (regardless of steel-backed timber look) due to pedestrians. The A/E team will verify the options.

2. The Forest Service is concerned about any maximum accessible slopes with no factor or safety. They would like A/E to look at an alternative walkway grading plan for Option 2. A/E to study additional slope alternatives.

3. The Forest Service is concerned with the number of steps exceeding the height of average adults without a place to stop and rest without blocking others. They would like the A/E team to look at adding a resting platform or step-off platform halfway up the steps from the kayak access. The A/E Team will work on alternatives to achieve this objective.

On May 23, 2023, the Forest Service indicated that they were interested in a modified version of Option 2 that does not use the maximum slope for accessibility in the design. They’d like to have some margin during the actual construction, so a design using 7% - 7.5% slopes would be preferred.

On June 8, 2023, two alternative designs incorporating Forest Service comments received were shared and are described as follows

Alternative Selected Option 2 - Alternate A.1 A guardrail has been added to the lower tier of the primary overlook. The longitudinal slopes have been reduced to 7.5% to provide for a higher construction tolerance. This change raises the primary overlook by a couple of inches. Given the horizontal space constraints and small primary overlook raise, it is not feasible to provide the requested landing and rest area along the stairs to the kayak boat launch. Instead, a 4-ft wide rest area is provided at the top of the kayak boat launch stairs to give more space for people to take a break or temporarily move a kayak or other small boat off of the path.

Option 2 - Alternate B.1 A guardrail has been added to the lower tier of the primary overlook. The longitudinal slopes have been reduced to 7.5% to provide for a higher construction tolerance. This change raises the primary overlook by a couple of inches. This alternate considers small site plan changes to redistribute the stair riser quantities and locations. Near the top of the primary overlook, a small staircase leads to an intermediate landing. This intermediate landing is where a second staircase connects to a pedestrian crossing along Tellico River Road. The first staircase from the primary overlook has fewer risers than the first primary overlook staircase in Alternate 1 therefore the second staircase to the pedestrian connection also has fewer risers than in Alternate A.

Running the staircases along the River Road retaining wall creates more space to have additional stair risers before reaching the lower tier of the primary overlook. In this alternate, the primary overlook is 2.25 ft lower than in Alternate A. This small change to decrease the elevation of the lower tier may marginally improve the view from this location and decrease the overall wall height of the lower tier wall. Stair risers thus can be removed from the kayak boat launch staircase and exchanged with a small 4-ft long intermediate landing and resting area to allow people to pass by each other. The small stair alignment changes may provide a smoother circulation between the tiers by reducing the number of turns a user would need to take and provide wider turning and landing areas.

In addition, the Forest hydrologist indicated that a permit from the state is not necessary, since the proposed design is to build the body of overlook above the 100-year flood plain, and the stairway proposed for the kayak access falls below the minimum amount of disturbance specified in the TDEC General Permit for Construction of Public Access Structures and Boat Ramps. NEPA for this project is complete and accepted.

On August 9, 2023, Forest Services indicated their preference was Alternate B.1 but incorporated the kayak resting area in Alternate A.1. These changes have been incorporated into the 30% preliminary package and drawings attached.

OPTION 2 - ALTERNATE A.1

OPTION 2 - ALTERNATE B.1

Based on feedback from the USFS on Alternates A.1 and A.2, a preferred design was created. The preferred design maintains a 7.5% maximum longitudinal slope, adds a guardrail to the lower tier of the primary overlook, and creates multiple rest areas along the staircases.

In the preferred design, a 4-foot wide rest area is provided at the top of the kayak boat launch stairs to give more space for people to take a break or temporarily move a kayak or other small boat off of the path to reduce…