Tag: Flood

A Proactive Program at Work: Investing in Dam Repairs Averts Crisis

Dams are an integral part of our lives, providing recreational opportunities, power generation, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other important functions. More than 2,100 high-hazard-potential dams are operating in the United States, as reported in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Their failure could result in the loss of life for… Read More »

Best Management Practices for Stormwater Runoff Facilities: Detention vs. Retention

April showers bring more than May flowers. Snow melt and springtime rains also bring stormwater runoff pains. Why is stormwater runoff a problem? Stormwater runoff impacts two areas: water quantity and water quality. When vegetative surface cover is replaced with streets and buildings, the rate of stormwater runoff, which starts as precipitation (rain, sleet, and… Read More »

River Hydraulics in Steep Canyon Environments

This is a view of US 34 within the Big Thompson Canyon during the final repair phase in late 2017. By John Hunt, PE; Will deRosset, PE, CFM; and Anthony Alvarado, PE, CFM The September 2013 flood in Colorado devastated the northern Front Range, causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure and transportation networks. Hundreds of… Read More »