Nontraditional solutions deliver multiple benefits for municipalities

Urbanization has significantly affected waterways, with increases in impervious areas spiking stormwater discharges and peak flows. These stormwater discharges are conveyed to receiving channels with high velocities and shear stresses that cause erosion, channel incision, and overall degradation of the natural stream system. While upland stormwater practices can alleviate some of these symptoms...

The transport of sediment along shorelines is an essential process in tidal environments, but in areas where erosion rates are more excessive, it can also be detrimental. At a natural rate, eroding shorelines provide tidal habitats through accretion of natural sediments. On the other hand, the rate of shoreline erosion can be dramatically increased due to sea level rise, increased frequency in...

In addition to setting technical standards on how to quantify sediment and nutrient reductions for stream restoration and shoreline management practices, the respective Expert Panels also addressed various concerns raised by opponents to using the practice for meeting WLA requirements in addition to legitimate issues raised by unbiased parties. Among others, these concerns included dissatisfaction...

Stream restoration and shoreline management can be exceptional practices that accomplish reductions of sediment and nutrient loadings to local waterbodies for relatively low cost compared to other conventional stormwater practices. Accessible eroding stream channels and shorelines on public lands may be limited for some MS4s. In urban communities, adjacent residents must be willing stakeholders in...

Stantec Senior Engineer Ashley Hall, located in Richmond, Virginia, specializes in water resources engineering including watershed analysis, stormwater management planning and design, low impact development, municipal separate storm sewer system permit support, and TMDL implementation.