Join us for our water resources-themed webinar series in February and March 2021. One PDH will be offered for each meeting. These events are FREE for ASHE Members and Students. There is a $5.00 registration fee for non-members.

Session 1: February 25, 2021 – 12 to 1pm

Design to Date for the Maryland Avenue Bypass Culvert included in the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan

Following the fatal flood of 2016, Howard County initiated an effort to thoroughly model the hydrology and hydraulics of the Tiber River watershed and its tributaries in Historic Ellicott City, with the goal of developing a long-term plan, leading to the current Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, a multi-faceted approach to mitigation, floodproofing, and public safety. This presentation will focus on a specific aspect of the flood mitigation plan: addressing the bottleneck of flow along Lower Main Street by providing an additional conduit for flood flows into the Patapsco River, the proposed Maryland Avenue Culvert. The discussion will focus on the background of the plan leading to the project, and some of the unique engineering challenges of the site and the project design.

Presented By
Andy McLean, P.E., McCormick Taylor
Chris Brooks, P.E., McCormick Taylor

Registration Closed

Session 2: February 26, 2021 – 12 to 1pm

MDE Update on the NPDES General Permit for Construction Activity

The previous NPDES General Permit for Construction Activity (issued in 2014) expired on December 31, 2019, and has been administratively extended until the renewal is issued. For the new draft permit, MDE has proposed several significant updates which include additional protections and requirements for projects within Tier II watersheds as well as expanded permit language with the goal of improved compliance through providing a more clear understanding of the requirements. The new draft permit went out for public input on September 25, 2020 and MDE is reviewing the public comments as they finalize the language of the new permit. This presentation will provide an update on the permit renewal process, and review some of the updates to the new permit.

Presented By
Paul Hlavinka, Maryland Department of the Environment

Registration Closed

Session 3: March 5, 2021 – 12 to 1pm

Little Gunpowder Falls Tributary at MD 165 TMDL and Brook Trout Habitat: A Perfect Match

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) restored an Unnamed Tributary of Little Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland as part of MDOT SHA’s TMDL program. During the design process, adult and juvenile Brook Trout were found within project limits. Thus, close coordination and partnering with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources was established and providing brook trout habitat was incorporated as part of the design objectives of the TMDL project. Construction of the stream restoration occurred in 2020 with the MDOT SHA team worked closely with the Contractor to ensure habitat structures were built to plan. The presentation will showcase pre-, during, and post-construction design and construction approach, showcasing the brook trout habitat improvements provided for this TMDL project.

Presented By
Natalia Almodovar-Rosario, PE from WSP

Registration Closed