Civil Engineers & Stormwater Management Planning
The Role of Civil Engineers in Stormwater Management Stormwater problems can show up after construction is finished, when fixes are expensive and many of the options are limited. Flooded lots, water in buildings, eroded channels, and downstream complaints usually aren’t surprises — they’re the result of stormwater not being addressed early enough or designed with […]
Emergency Action Plans: Best Practices for High-Hazard Dams
Best Practices for Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) on Significant- and High-Hazard Dams Straightforward guidance to help dam owners protect the people who live and work downstream What Is an Emergency Action Plan? If you’ve ever stood near a dam, it’s easy to forget what that structure is holding back. Most days, it looks calm […]
Understanding SWPPP: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
Understanding SWPPP: Essentials for Construction Projects What is a SWPPP? During any construction project, there is a risk that pollutants, ranging from sediment to toxic chemicals, may be discharged into surrounding bodies of water through stormwater runoff, with potentially disastrous consequences for the local environment and water supply. A SWPPP is a required document, developed […]
When to Call a Civil Engineering Expert Witness
When to Call a Civil Engineering Expert Witness How an Expert Witness Brings Clarity Out of Complexity Imagine a courtroom debating why a newly built road collapsed after a storm. To the average person, it’s cracked pavement and standing water. But what caused the failure? Was it the design? The materials? A construction defect? […]
Flood Risk Management for Municipal and Land Development Projects
Flood Risk Management for Municipal and Land Development Projects Why Understanding Flood Risk Matters For most people, the term “flood” conjures up images of half-submerged cars and neighborhood streets resembling rivers due to excessive rainfall. In civil and municipal engineering, though, managing flood risk involves far more than just preparing for a rainy day. Protecting […]
Why Hydrology Matters in Civil Engineering & Flood Planning
The Underappreciated Discipline: The Importance of Hydrology By L. David Givler, MSCE, PE What is Hydrology? What’s hydrology all about, anyway? Some might think it’s a boring or overly complicated field of study. Others might not have any idea what it even entails. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “Hydrology is the science that encompasses […]