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The Relationship Between Stream Enhancement and Urban Infrastructure - How Do We use Stream Enhancement as a Tool to Protect Infrastructure in Urban Environments?

Jason Diaz, PE, CFM
Kimley-Horn
Charlotte, North Carolina

Along stream reaches in urban environments it is common for sanitary sewer lines, both gravity and force main systems, to flow adjacent to streams in the bottom of the valley. As watersheds in these urban systems continue to develop and become more impervious, the flow regimes change and result in more frequent flood flows that increase shear stress on the already degraded systems. The results are frequently accelerated bank erosion and potential infrastructure failure. This presentation will:

  • Identify natural channel design approaches used to access and prevent failure of sanitary sewer systems

  • Look at several scenarios of assessment and design completed within the last two years

  • Highlight some cost-effective methods used

  • Reflect on lessons learned through design and implementation of natural channel designs to protect infrastructure

  • Discuss the uplift to the stream system that can improve in-stream habitat and reduce high rates of bank erosion

As development continues in urban watersheds throughout the country, now is the time to implement strategies to simultaneously improve our urban stream networks and to protect existing (and future) infrastructure.

About Jason Diaz, PE, CFM

Jason Claudio-Diaz, PE, CFM (Kimley-Horn) Jason offers 18 years of experience providing planning, design, and construction administration services on stream restoration projects throughout the Southeast. He has successfully implemented restoration projects (mitigation and non-mitigation) in several states, including NC, SC, WV, TN, TX, OK and GA. Jason manages an experienced team of natural systems restoration professionals. He has extensive experience planning and implementing mitigation and non-mitigation projects and working with a variety of public and private clients. Jason focuses on urban and suburban restoration where he and his team bring a collaborative approach that emphasizes innovation. The approach emphasizes stability and uplift using an iterative process that includes advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and natural channel design techniques. Jason has managed and designed approximately 100,000+ linear feet of stream restoration or stabilization projects in the Carolinas. Those projects range in size, complexity, and setting, bringing a broad and local experience to his team.