Stormwater Summit Day Two Presentations: Part 1

Session 1: Drainage Benefits for All: Flood Reduction, Climate Resilience, and Public Open Space

This presentation will describe how Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is using public open-space planning, watershed science, and principles of asset management to maximize the value of its capital investments in drainage infrastructure. Over the years, the City’s urban creeks have been rerouted, channelized, and disconnected from their floodplains in a haphazard dismantling of the natural drainage system to accommodate roads and buildings. Most of this was done before there was an understanding of watershed science and environmental and habitat impacts. By removing drainage system constrictions, bank armoring, and fill, SPU is now restoring the water-land connections, adding more resilience to the drainage system, and building community.

Learning Objectives:

1. Integrate environmental science into planning and implementation of capital improvement projects in an urban area.

2. Develop community and funding partnerships to support stormwater management capital projects.

3. Deliver projects that promote climate resiliency and social equity through Investments in natural ecosystems.

Speakers: Betsy Lyons, Creek Culvert Program Manager, Seattle Public Utilities and Katherine Lynch, Senior Ecologist, Seattle Public Utilities

Session 2: Testing Rain Gardens, Bioretention and Infiltration Ponds: An Overview of Current Practices

Stormwater infiltration has become more prevalent across the United States with varying and evolving testing practices from state to state. This presentation will cover the strengths and weaknesses of several test methods and describe the importance of testing before, during and after construction. We’ll also share how a rain garden failure in St. Louis could have been avoided with testing, and lessons learned from a long-term testing program in Omaha, Nebraska.

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare various test methods to make an informed decision regarding which test to use.

2. Determine when to test and how many tests to conduct during design and construction.

3. Develop a testing plan to monitor long-term performance and determine frequency of maintenance activities.

Speaker: Arthur Schwidder, PE, Chief Technology Officer, Upstream Technologies Inc.