Urban Stream Restoration: Retrofitting Projects of the Past
Derek Scott
Beaver Creek Hydrology
Lexington, KY
Urbanization within a watershed impacts natural waterways and has negative hydrologic, biological, and chemical effects that propagate to downstream waters. Urban development alters natural hydrologic regimes, leading to an increase in peak flow and storm volume, as well as eliminating appropriate floodplain and wetland areas and decreasing groundwater recharge. Historically, urban restoration in natural channels has focused on channelization and channel armoring to effectively convey storm flows and reduce bank erosion. This presentation highlights the success of four (4) stream restoration projects in urban watersheds located in Southwestern Ohio designed by Beaver Creek Hydrology (BCH), with all four (4) projects encroached upon by public infrastructure (historic railways, walking trails, and public roadways) and three (3) having previously been channelized and outfitted with gabion basket walls to reduce erosion. Natural channel design techniques were used at all four projects to restore over 4,000 linear feet of stream corridor (drainage areas ranging from 50 acres to 3,500 acres) with improved floodplains, native riparian areas, and a variety of in-stream structures (toe-woods, cross vanes, j-hook vanes). The presentation also showcases prior stream restoration techniques, what causes them to fail, and the challenge of retrofitting stream corridors in an urban setting.
About Derek Scott
Derek is a professional engineer at Beaver Creek Hydrology with 12 years of experience. He has an educational and professional background in hydrology, hydraulics, sediment control site design, stormwater systems design and management, and geomorphic assessment. He has held engineering design roles on projects throughout the United States, as well as on international mining projects in South American and Africa. His role at Beaver Creek Hydrology is to manage both urban and rural stream restoration projects, while overseeing technical deliverables within the company.