Location

Groningen, The Netherlands

Event Website

http://fishpassage.umass.edu/

Start Date

22-6-2015 11:40 AM

End Date

22-6-2015 11:55 AM

Description

Abstract

Stream simulation design is a geomorphic, engineering, and ecologically-based approach to designing road-stream crossings that creates a natural and dynamic channel through the crossing structure similar in dimensions and characteristics to the adjacent, natural channel, allowing for unimpeded passage of aquatic organisms, debris, and water during various flow conditions, including floods. A retrospective case study of the survival and failure of road-stream crossings was conducted in the upper White River watershed and the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont following record flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Damage was largely avoided at two road-stream crossings where stream simulation design was implemented, and extensive at multiple road-stream crossings constructed using traditional undersized, hydraulic designs. Cost analyses suggest that relatively modest increases in initial investment to implement stream simulation designs yield substantial societal and economic benefits. Numerous other examples across the country of stream simulation designs surviving large flood events underscore these benefits. Four years after the historic Irene flood event, policy changes at state and federal levels across the U.S. suggest that the flood resiliency of culverts is gaining momentum as a policy driver amid growing public sensitivity to climate change risks and the importance of restoring ecological connectivity and protecting investments in transportation infrastructure.

Comments

Presenting Author Bio:

Nathaniel Gillespie has been with the USDA Forest Service's headquarters since 2011 as the Assistant National Fish Program Leader. The USDA Forest Service manages over 193 million acres within 155 National Forests & Grasslands across the United States. The Forest Service manages many of the remaining intact headwater aquatic habitats in the country for myriad aquatic species of fish, mussels, crayfish and amphibians, many of which are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Mr. Gillespie formerly worked for Trout Unlimited on their Science Team. He received his masters of science from the University of Michigan.

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Jun 22nd, 11:40 AM Jun 22nd, 11:55 AM

Session B1: Lessons Learned from Tropical Storm Irene 2.0: How Flood Resiliency Benefits of Stream Simulation Designs Are Changing Policy within the U.S.

Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract

Stream simulation design is a geomorphic, engineering, and ecologically-based approach to designing road-stream crossings that creates a natural and dynamic channel through the crossing structure similar in dimensions and characteristics to the adjacent, natural channel, allowing for unimpeded passage of aquatic organisms, debris, and water during various flow conditions, including floods. A retrospective case study of the survival and failure of road-stream crossings was conducted in the upper White River watershed and the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont following record flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Damage was largely avoided at two road-stream crossings where stream simulation design was implemented, and extensive at multiple road-stream crossings constructed using traditional undersized, hydraulic designs. Cost analyses suggest that relatively modest increases in initial investment to implement stream simulation designs yield substantial societal and economic benefits. Numerous other examples across the country of stream simulation designs surviving large flood events underscore these benefits. Four years after the historic Irene flood event, policy changes at state and federal levels across the U.S. suggest that the flood resiliency of culverts is gaining momentum as a policy driver amid growing public sensitivity to climate change risks and the importance of restoring ecological connectivity and protecting investments in transportation infrastructure.

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June22/22