Minimizing Community Flooding Issues – Tripps Run at Barrett Road
George Rhodes III, PLA
Stantec
Fredericksburg, VA
Jacob Green, PE
Fairfax County Stormwater Planning
Fairfax, VA
Authors: George Rhodes III and Jacob Green (with support from Megan McCollough and Brad Moore)
A residential neighborhood in Fairfax County is experiencing property and infrastructure damage due to flooding. In July 2019 and July 2020, several structures were damaged by historic flooding, including main floor living areas. This is one of 21 repetitive loss areas based on FEMA’s list of properties that have experienced repetitive loss from flooding. The homes are located within FEMA 1-percent annual chance floodplain, Zone AE. Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division and Stantec began this project in 2020. The project evaluated several flood hazard mitigation scenarios, inclusive of obtaining flood-prone properties, paired with environmental corridor and restorative stream enhancements. A scenario to advance to design development was selected and then, using the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) benefit-cost analysis (BCA), an analysis was conducted for an overall flood mitigation project, involving two key components. First, is the acquisition of nine residential properties. The second component is approximately 2,400 linear feet of stream channel improvements, the removal of a VDOT bridge and roads, and utility relocations. Fairfax County obtained grant funding from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The overall goals of the project are to reduce flooding to structures, reduce the flood water elevations, and create an environmental corridor. Additionally, this project incorporated the use of the Envision sustainability framework and rating system. Envision is the leading system for guiding the development of sustainable infrastructure projects. It provides a common framework for assessing infrastructure, recommends best practices, and considers both qualitative and quantitative elements of design. The rating system is designed to integrate sustainability and resiliency considerations into infrastructure planning, design, and construction. Its purpose is to challenge designers to consider alternatives that will improve asset performance and provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to infrastructure owners and the communities that they serve. This presentation shares the story of the interdisciplinary needs to achieve success, sustainable design approaches, and alignment of the project with community expectations.
About George Rhodes III, PLA
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About Jacob Green, PE
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