Comparing Post-Restoration Conditions to Design Predictions for an Urban Stream Restoration in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Jarrod Karl, PE
Hazen and Sawyer
Charlotte, NC
David Dickson
City of Rock Hill
Rock Hill, SC
The City of Rock Hill established its Stormwater Division in the early 1990s to address failing and undersized storm water systems that contribute to road and building flooding in the city. The program has been expanded over the years to include stream and water quality improvements in the vicinity of flooding problems to address water body impairments identified by the South Carolina 303(d) list and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Rock Hill developed a priority ranking of 110 potential projects, and the road flooding at Cavendale Drive ranked 11th (high priority) because the road crossing served as the sole emergency access to 51 homes during flood events.
The City engaged Hazen and Sawyer to evaluate solutions to reduce road overtopping and improve flood safety. During the project planning process, Hazen identified opportunities for additional stormwater benefits, including stabilization of a straightened, incised stream downstream of the road crossing and retrofit of three storm drain outfalls to create stormwater wetlands. These additional improvements served to treat neighborhood runoff and help address a dissolved oxygen impairment in Wildcat Creek downstream. The project also included construction of a multi-use trail and two pedestrian bridges to provide neighborhood connectivity and community benefit.
Publicly available and proprietary design tools and methods were used for existing conditions assessments; stream and floodplain hydraulic analyses; and designs for stream restoration, supplemental culvert installation, and stormwater wetlands. This presentation will include a discussion of how well the methods utilized for design predicted the post-restoration condition, based on field monitoring analyses three and four years after project completion. Post-restoration stream geometry will be compared against design predictions; particle size distributions will be compared against baseline sediment data; and flood resilience of stream and stormwater improvements will be assessed.
About Jarrod Karl, PE
Jarrod Karl is a restoration ecologist and environmental scientist with Hazen and Sawyer with a focus on ecosystem restoration and non-point source water quality improvement. His nearly 30 years of experience includes natural resource assessments, environmental permitting, mitigation banking, and water quality project implementation. He has worked as a stream restoration practitioner in both public sector and private sector roles, which has allowed him navigate the constraints placed on ecological uplift and the balance required for successful project implementation in developed watersheds.
David F. Dickson is a graduate of Clemson University and a licensed civil engineer in both North Carolina and South Carolina with more than 30 years of experience in the public sector. He currently serves as the Stormwater Engineer for the City of Rock Hill, SC, where he oversees the City’s MS4 stormwater program and manages a range of infrastructure improvement projects.
In his role, David leads stormwater initiatives focused on protecting water quality and improving drainage infrastructure. He is currently managing a $15 million culvert replacement program that includes six culvert replacements and two sections of stream restoration.
David is committed to applying innovative engineering solutions that balance performance, safety, and sustainability. Through his work, he collaborates with engineers, planners, and public agencies to deliver projects that strengthen local infrastructure and improve quality of life.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, David serves as the South Carolina Chapter Treasurer for the American Public Works Association.
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About David Dickson
David F. Dickson is a graduate of Clemson University and a licensed civil engineer in both North Carolina and South Carolina with more than 30 years of experience in the public sector. He currently serves as the Stormwater Engineer for the City of Rock Hill, SC, where he oversees the City’s MS4 stormwater program and manages a range of infrastructure improvement projects.
In his role, David leads stormwater initiatives focused on protecting water quality and improving drainage infrastructure. He is currently managing a $15 million culvert replacement program that includes six culvert replacements and two sections of stream restoration.
David is committed to applying innovative engineering solutions that balance performance, safety, and sustainability. Through his work, he collaborates with engineers, planners, and public agencies to deliver projects that strengthen local infrastructure and improve quality of life.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, David serves as the South Carolina Chapter Treasurer for the American Public Works Association.