Back to B Session Agenda

Using Technology to Improve Stream Restoration

Hannah Hearn, PE
KCI Technologies, Inc.
Georgetown, DE

Stream restoration projects often cost millions of dollars and take extensive time; from planning, through detailed design, and construction.  Recent technological advancements offer ways to improve site selection, designs, and design efficiency.

The presentation will focus on examples of how technology can improve site selection and stream restoration design.  Using LIDAR and Topographic Openness to identify erosion on a watershed scale allows for better stream restoration site selection.  Methods developed using Autodesk Civil3D subassembly composer allow for more nuanced and refined ‘tie-out’ grading when developing proposed terrain surfaces.   Designs are improved using 2D HEC-RAS and an iterative design approach to identify and address hydraulic issues (e.g. erosive conditions, concentrated flow, hydraulic trespass).  These technological tools save time and money and result in improved stream restoration projects.

About Hannah Hearn, PE

Hannah Hearn is a project engineer at KCI Technologies, focusing specifically on ecological restoration. She has over 8 years of technical experience in the assessment, design, and modeling aspects of restoration projects and has particular experience in ESRI, Civil 3D, and HEC-RAS 2D. Hannah also supports TMDL and impervious acre modeling for clients throughout Maryland as well as assists with their NPDES data upkeep. Hannah graduated from the University of Delaware, having received a BE in Environmental Engineering and an MCE in Water Resource Engineering, both in 2017. She loves anything outside, especially backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.

www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-hearn-p-e-7b99b4b9