Burger, Caroline

Caroline has 24 years of stormwater management experience in the public and private sector. Her expertise includes urban stormwater quality and quantity flood modeling and design. She’s also helped developed stormwater utilities, as well, as co-developed the urban stormwater quality model, WinSLAMM.

Titles from this speaker

Alternate: Balancing Funding with Flood Risk Reduction

Abstract

The City of Waco, TX (City) is experiencing chronic flooding within the area known as the Brook Oaks Neighborhood. As with most municipalities, they lack adequate funding to meet all their flood resilience targets. The City conducted a stormwater master planning effort to understand two main items: 1) the amount of infrastructure needed to meet all their targets and 2) the most impactful infrastructure they could implement with their current funding. The Brook Oaks Neighborhood is an 830-acre neighborhood located near the center of the City. It is served by both open channel and pipe stormwater infrastructure. Most of the pipe infrastructure drains into the main open channel (Barron's Branch) and discharges into the Brazos River. PC-SWMM 1-dimensional(D)/2-D modeling software was selected for the project. The stormwater master planning found that the majority of the stormwater infrastructure does not meet their newest targets. One of their newest targets is that all the stormwater runoff from events up to the 25-year, 24-hour remain within the stormwater conveyance system. The proposed solutions to meet this target include a mix of detention, open channel modifications, and storm sewer and box culvert reconstruction. These solutions serve as a long-term flood risk reduction plan for the neighborhood. Planning level cost estimates were generated to understand the magnitude of funding needed to implement infrastructure needed to meet this target. The cost far outweighs the available funding. Following that effort, model results were reviewed to understand where the most impact could be made with the available funding. Several areas experience flooding during even the 2-year, 24-hour event. Solutions were developed for these highest risk areas. This set of solutions is the short-term flood risk reduction plan for the neighborhood. This presentation will present the methodology, approach, and results of the short-term and long-term stormwater master planning. By creating this two-tiered approach, the City and the residents of the neighborhood can understand what can be done now versus what is ultimately needed for long-term flood risk reduction.

This paper was presented at the WEF/WEAT Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, July 15-18, 2025.

Presentation time

13:30:00

16:45:00

Session time

13:30:00

16:45:00

SessionStormwater and Coastal Resilience Modeling

Session number05

Session locationGeorge R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, USA

TopicFlooding, Modeling, Planning

Author(s)

Burger, Caroline, Lotz, Ashli

Author(s)C. Burger1, A. Lotz1

Author affiliation(s)Carollo Engineers, 1Carollo, 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jul 2025

DOI10.2175/193864718825159832

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count8

Alternate: Fitzsimmons-Peoria Stormwater Outfall: Reducing Flood Risk in a Highly Urbanized Area

Abstract

A high density area undergoing rapid redevelopment in the City of Aurora (City) experienced historical flooding due to undersized stormwater infrastructure constructed in the 1970s. As a result, the City prioritized implementation of the Fitzsimmons-Peoria Stormwater Outfall Project to comply with current stormwater standards and provide much needed flood mitigation. The project was a large-scale effort that replaced approximately 15,000 feet of aging, 24- to 96-inch storm drain through a highly urbanized area that is undergoing rapid redevelopment. The project improved flood protection for approximately 230 residences and 40 businesses. Following preliminary design, Carollo assisted the City in contracting a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contractor, BT Construction. Final design efforts were completed as a collaborative team consisting of the City, the CMAR contractor, and Carollo. Together, the team evaluated alternatives to mitigate site constraints throughout the project while minimizing public disruption and project cost. Carollo constructed a computer model using InfoWorks ICM with 1-D and 2-D components. Pipeline alignments were evaluated for hydraulic capacity and selected with consideration to construction sequencing, construction duration, protection of existing utilities, minimizing disruptions to traffic, and project cost. Carollo also performed HEC-RAS modeling of Sand Creek utilizing the existing published FEMA FIRM maps and base flood elevations with new flow rate inputs for the project basin. While the discharge flow rate increased significantly, the discharge time was well ahead of the peak attenuation of base flood elevations at the discharge location. Therefore, our team was able to prove a no-rise condition and avoid the need to submit a LOMR. Most of the pipeline was constructed using open trench construction with passive shoring (trench boxes). Four major arterial roadways required large diameter trenchless crossings. The variability of ground conditions required a combination of open face tunnel boring machines (TBM) for two of the tunnels and closed face microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) for the other two crossings. The project team evaluated each construction technique with consideration to cost, feasibility, safety, and minimizing public impact. The project also required large manholes and junction structures which were designed as a combination of both cast-in-place and pre-cast structures, with a preference for pre-cast to minimize construction duration where feasible. Now fully complete, the new storm drain system has the capacity to collect and convey the 100-year storm event to the discharge at Sand Creek. Using the CMAR delivery method, the City was able to develop alternatives during the design phase that improved basin stormwater management, mitigated risk, minimized public impacts, and totaled an overall cost within the Contractor's $31M Guaranteed Maximum Price.

This paper was presented at the WEF/WEAT Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference, July 15-18, 2025.

SpeakerBurger, Caroline

Presentation time

08:30:00

10:00:00

Session time

08:30:00

10:00:00

SessionCommunity Engagement during Construction

Session number23

Session locationGeorge R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Topic2-D Modeling, Alternative Delivery Systems (Design-Build-Operate-Transfer), Trenchless Technology

Author(s)

Burger, Caroline, Falk, Rebecca, Burger, Caroline

Author(s)J. Kriss1, R. Falk1, C. Burger1

Author affiliation(s)Carollo, 1Carollo Engineers, Inc., 1Carollo Engineers, 1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jul 2025

DOI10.2175/193864718825159894

Volume / Issue

Content sourceCollection Systems and Stormwater Conference

Word count13

Can Traditionally-Sized Green Infrastructure be Used for Flood Control?

Abstract

The City of Madison, Wisconsin wanted to understand the effectiveness of green infrastructure to help meet the City’s flood mitigation goals. Because the City is also evaluating traditional flood control solutions (increase pipe capacity, detention basins, etc.), the City is referring to green infrastructure as “volume control infrastructure”. For the purposes of this analysis, volume control infrastructure will be infrastructure meant to infiltrate stormwater. City Engineering conducted a pilot planning level analysis for the Pheasant Branch Watershed. The purpose of the analysis was to understand the data available and how it could efficiently be used to evaluate the effectiveness of volume control infrastructure. Engineering staff conducted an iterative analysis with check‐ins and discussion. The resulting analysis is described in this document. Pheasant Branch Watershed is located on the far west side of Madison and comprises approximately 3,300 acres of urban and agricultural land use. The hydrologic and hydraulic model for the watershed was built in XP‐SWMM. The hydrology and stormwater infrastructure are modeled in 1D while the large conveyance channels and overland flow is modeled in 2D. The watershed is broken up into 451 subcatchments. The hydrology for the watershed utilizes SWMM hydrology and Horton Infiltration. Each subcatchment is broken into three components:
- Directly Connected Impervious Area (DCIA),
- Non‐Directly Connected Impervious area, and ###- Pervious Area. In each subcatchment, the NDCIA is routed to the pervious area through subcatchment routing.

The City of Madison, Wisconsin started a comprehensive watershed flood study program in early 2019 to understand the causes of flooding across the City. The studies use traditional large-storm hydrology methods. In conjunction, the City wanted to understand the effectiveness of green infrastructure to help meet the flood goals. The City used the models created for the watershed study program for the green infrastructure analysis. The analysis was conducted in two Phases. Phase I analyzed the flood reduction that occurs from traditionally-sized green infrastructure. Phase II determined the amount of green infrastructure required to show significant reductions in large-storm flooding.

SpeakerBurger, Caroline

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:15:00

Session time

16:00:00

17:30:00

SessionWhen the Rain Comes Down and the Seas Go Up

Session number320

TopicStormwater, Green Infrastructure, and Wet Weather, Sustainability and Climate Change

Author(s)

Caroline Burger

Author(s)C. Burger1;

Author affiliation(s)The City of Madison, WI Engineering Division1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825158080

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count10

Flood Alert System Implementation: Unexpected Questions You Will Want to Ask

Abstract

The City of Madison, Wisconsin was selected for a smart utility demonstration project. Intel® provided a grant to INTERA Incorporated and Isle Utilities to review current technologies and data streams for visual interpretation. The United States Geological Survey developed and installed the sensor network. The City of Madison provided the locations of chronic flooding, access to the right-of-way to install the sensors, and staff to help facilitate the work. Installation of the sensors began in April 2022. Since then, 35 sensors, collecting data at 5-minute increments, have been installed. Setting up a new system, such as a smart utility, in a municipality like the City of Madison has its unique challenges. Challenges include integration of the system with existing City Information Technologies, checking the system for risk and legal implications, and understanding the right people and agencies to alert at the right time.

The purpose of the project was to explore setting up a smart utility â€“ a system that measures stormwater depths in real time and then sends alerts if the stormwater reaches a certain level. Sensors and gateways were installed to collect data and send it to a database in the cloud for further evaluation. A dashboard was created to summarize the data and programed to send an alert if the water rose to a certain level. Implementation required coordination with many City agencies.

SpeakerBurger, Caroline

Presentation time

15:30:00

15:50:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionPredicting Flooding Before It Happens

Session locationRoom S504c - Level 5

TopicIntelligent Water, Intermediate Level, Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

Author(s)

Burger, Caroline

Author(s)C. Burger 1; W. Selbig 2 ; C. Burger 1;

Author affiliation(s)Carollo 1; United States Geological Survey 2 ; Carollo 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159130

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count12

Model Redo: How Public Feedback Impacted the Flood Reduction Solutions

Abstract

Public feedback has the potential to make or break a project. This is especially true for the City of Madison, Wisconsin (City). The City has a unique demographic with a major university, the State Capital, and several tech companies located within its boundaries. As such, public feedback can take many forms and be very persuasive. The City's general approach to public outreach is to provide frequent updates on projects through project webpages and hold public meetings at various points during the project. This approach was used for the City's Watershed Study Program, with a few additions. The City added focus group meetings, which were smaller meetings in individual neighborhoods, and they added a public review and comment period of the draft final report for each watershed study. The Spring Harbor Watershed Study an example of a successful process, where the public feedback was taken seriously, influenced the analysis for the project, and ultimately led to a set of flood reduction solutions that was supported by the community. Spring Harbor Watershed is a 2,300-acre watershed of mostly urban land use. The drainage system is a mix of storm sewers, box culverts, and open channels. The computer model was constructed in XP-SWMM 1D/2D software with the underground portions being evaluated in 1D and the overflow and open channels evaluated in 2D. The purpose of the computer modeling is to understand the causes of flooding and evaluate conceptual solutions to reduce flood risk. The initial proposed solutions included a mix of detention, open channel modifications, and storm sewer and box culvert reconstruction. The Spring Harbor Watershed Study, upon completion, received significant public comments. Many of the comments included concerns about the proposed flood reduction solutions. For example, this part of the City has areas with mature trees. Those same areas are also dedicated stormwater management areas. Where a solution would result in the removal of trees, the solution was not supported by the residents. Due to the significant feedback, the City chose to review the proposed conditions modeling to understand if modifications could be made to alleviate public concerns. After an extensive review, the City chose to update the proposed conditions modeling and create two solution scenarios. The first solution scenario was essentially the originally proposed solution, with a few modifications that incorporated information not available during the original modeling. This solution scenario meets as many of the City's flood targets as possible, even if the solutions were not well-liked by the public. The purpose of this solution is to understand the level of cost and effort to achieve the highest level of flood risk reduction. It also provides a basis of comparison against the more publicly favorable solution scenario. The second solution scenario incorporated only those solutions that were publicly acceptable. This solution scenario avoided areas with significant tree impacts and areas where a solution would change the viewshed for the residents. One consequence of the second solution scenario is that more of the City's flood targets could not be met, resulting in a lower level of service. This second scenario illustrates the trade-offs of public acceptability versus flood risk reduction. This presentation will describe the feedback received during the public review and comment period and the methodology and approach to create the two solution scenarios. It will also describe the public feedback received following the last public information meeting where the two solution scenarios were presented. Through valuable public input, the City was able to create a set of solutions that would both reduce flood risk and was supported by the residents of Spring Harbor Watershed. Public input was not just a check the box exercise. The public's input shaped the analysis and helped with overall acceptance of the path forward. This process helped build trust with the City, made the community feel heard, and will help facilitate project implementation.

The City of Madison, WI finalized the Spring Harbor Watershed Study in 2022. The initial proposed solutions met many of the City's flood targets. The study was met with significant public concern. After an extensive review of the concerns, the City created a second set of solutions that incorporated only those solutions that were publicly acceptable. This second solution set provides a lower level of service, thus illustrating the trade-offs of public acceptability versus flood risk reduction.

SpeakerBurger, Caroline

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:30:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionModeling for Inland Flood Resilience

Session number429

Session locationRoom 350

TopicIntermediate Level, Resilience, Safety, and Disaster Planning, Stormwater and Green Infrastructure, Sustainability and Climate Change, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Burger, Caroline, O'Brien, Jojo, Baker, Alaina

Author(s)C. Burger1, J. O'Brien2, A. Baker2

Author affiliation(s)1Carollo Engineers, WI, 2City of Madison, WI Engineering, WI

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159534

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count11

Urban Watershed Models: Continuing to Use Them After the Project is Complete

Abstract

In late 2018, the City of Madison, Wisconsin began a Watershed Study Program in response to the historical storm events that occurred earlier that year. The purpose of the program is to study all 22 of the City’s watersheds and develop solutions to reduce future flood risk. For each watershed, a computer model of the existing conditions was created. Proposed stormwater management scenarios were evaluated to understand what could be done to reduce flood risk. Because of the investment made into the development of the watershed models, the City wanted three main ongoing uses of the computer models and results: the computer models to remain current, or, as the City calls it “Living Models”; 2) the computer modeling results to be available to the public so they can understand the flood risk of their property; and 3) to use the computer modeling results to inform development projects in the City.

The City of Madison Wisconsin Engineering Department initiated a comprehensive city-wide watershed study program in late 2018, following the devastating flood events from that summer. This multi-faceted program not only needed to meet the needs of the current City policies and approaches, but also needed to evolve as the City changes. This documents the City's journey into creating a program for today and the future.

SpeakerBurger, Caroline

Presentation time

09:00:00

09:20:00

Session time

08:30:00

10:00:00

SessionFlood Modeling Case Studies

Session locationRoom S501d - Level 5

TopicIntermediate Level, Resilience, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

Author(s)

Burger, Caroline