Bluffs and Ravines
Civil Engineering

Bluffs and Ravines

Bleck has been providing engineered context sensitive solutions on ravines and bluffs for decades. Whether new development is occurring on a property, routine maintenance and inspections to help prevent property loss, or emergency repairs are needed, Bleck is one of the go-to engineers along the North Shore.

Protecting the North Shore's Natural Landscape

The unique topography of the North Shore, with its dramatic bluffs and ravines along Lake Michigan, requires specialized engineering expertise. Bleck Engineering has been at the forefront of providing context-sensitive solutions that protect both property and the natural environment.

Our approach balances the need for development and property protection with environmental stewardship. We work closely with regulatory agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, to ensure all work meets environmental standards while providing effective stabilization and restoration solutions.

From routine inspections that help prevent costly property loss to emergency repairs following severe weather events, our team provides comprehensive services tailored to the unique challenges of working with bluffs and ravines.

Our Services

Comprehensive services for bluffs and ravine management

Bluff and Ravine Inspection Reports
Topographic Mapping
Aerial Photography and Mapping
Earth Retention Systems
Bluff Stabilization
Ravine Stabilization
Ravine Bed Restoration
Slope and Wall Monitoring
Best Management Practices
US Army Corps of Engineers Permitting

Our Work

Showcasing bluffs and ravine engineering projects along the North Shore

Bluff stabilization project
Ravine restoration work
Coastal engineering

Featured Projects

Explore our bluffs and ravine engineering work

Fort Sheridan Ravine & Coastal Restoration
RestorationSurveyingStormwater

Fort Sheridan Ravine & Coastal Restoration

Lake Forest & Highland Park, IL2015

Multi-year project providing surveying and civil engineering services for ravine and coastal restoration along Lake Michigan. Work included new ravine thread lines, stone step pools, and rock riffles to stabilize the area.

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Walden Ravine Culvert & Stabilization Improvements
RestorationMunicipalSurveying

Walden Ravine Culvert & Stabilization Improvements

Ringwood Road — Lake Forest, Illinois 20192019

Bleck Engineering was retained by the City of Lake Forest to address a critical infrastructure failure at Walden Ravine, where a collapsed headwall at the Ringwood Road land bridge obstructed water flow and raised concerns about ravine stability and roadway safety. The project focused on rehabilitating a century-old brick culvert, stabilizing the ravine, and improving drainage and safety along Ringwood Road. Upstream improvements included construction of a new concrete headwall and restoration of approximately **130 feet of stream channel** using rock riffles, stone step pools, and erosion control measures designed to moderate flow and enhance habitat. The culvert was structurally reinforced using a **spray-in-place pipe lining system**, preserving the existing structure while minimizing environmental disturbance. Downstream, a new storm sewer system and reinforced drainage structures were installed to manage roadway runoff and protect ravine slopes. Additional slope stabilization measures included stone armoring and gabion baskets. Roadway improvements included milling and resurfacing approximately **300 feet of Ringwood Road**, installation of curb and gutter to control runoff, and placement of timber guardrails to improve safety along the steep ravine edge. Bleck Engineering also assisted the City in coordinating permits with local, state, and federal agencies.

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Waukegan Municipal Beach
Surveying

Waukegan Municipal Beach

Waukegan, IL2017

In the fall of 2017 the City of Waukegan Engineering Department reached out to Bleck to complete a plat of survey with topographic information of their municipal beach. The survey encompassed over 60 acres of land and was done on International Great Lakes Datum 1985 (IGLD85). Bleck Engineering also captured aerial imagery of the entire property to aid in future planning for the city.

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Pioneer Park Wetland Restoration
Stormwater

Pioneer Park Wetland Restoration

1212 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL2012

Pioneer Park is nestled along the DuPage River in Naperville. Bleck Engineering was tasked with the design of a two phase habitat restoration plan along the river. The design work for phase one included shoreline stabilization and boulder riffle outcroppings along the DuPage River. Phase two improvements included wet prairie, riparian woodland, and non-riparian woodland restoration within the floodway of the river.

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Private Residence – Soldier Beam and Lagging Wall
Residential

Private Residence – Soldier Beam and Lagging Wall

North Shore of Illinois2012

Bleck Engineering was hired to design a retaining wall to replace a timber retaining wall that was failing. The property overlooks Lake Michigan with a 65 foot high bluff. The home is situated 40 feet from an existing timber retaining wall that was failing. The new wall is 140' in length, with an exposed face 13' high. The wall was designed as a soldier pile retaining wall with drilled in steel H-piles and white oak timber lagging.

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Private Residence – Soldier Beam and Lagging Wall
Residential

Private Residence – Soldier Beam and Lagging Wall

North Shore of Illinois2011

Bleck Engineering was approached by a homeowner who had a failing concrete and timber retaining wall that went right up to the detached garage and was 8 feet away from the residence. After assessing the site with the homeowner and gathering topographic and soil information, Bleck proposed that a new retaining wall be built in front of the existing failing wall. A soldier beam and lagging wall with concrete panels and a channel cap was chosen to help protect the real estate for the long term. The new wall is 400' in length with a maximum exposed face of 12' in height. Construction plans were designed to try and minimize the disruption to the table land as well as to provide an aesthetic quality to neighboring properties.

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