2023 National Stream Restoration Conference
Creating Better Stream Restoration Solutions, Together.
Streams play a vital role in our ecosystems by supporting biodiversity, enhancing water quality, and providing flood control. Gannett Fleming’s powerhouse team of stream experts deliver assessment, restoration, and stabilization solutions to ensure stream health and a vibrant future in the communities we serve.
At the 2023 National Stream Restoration Conference, Gannett Fleming will bring fresh perspectives on protecting and preserving natural ecosystems. Our presenters will discuss topics ranging from the role of vernal pools in supporting habitat diversity to the value of post-storm monitoring to urban stream restoration projects. Our ecologically minded team members are eager to share their experiences with you as we work together to deliver resilient stream ecosystems.
Read on to learn more about the three technical sessions our team will deliver at the 2023 National Stream Restoration Conference.
We hope you’ll join us in Baltimore!
Aug. 21-23, 2023
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Organizer: Resource Institute
Markets
Solutions
Check Out Our 3 Presentations
Implementing Vernal Pools in Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Projects
TUESDAY, Aug. 22 • 9:30 A.M.
Ethan Daviau
Environmental Scientist
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Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are critical in supporting delicate flora and fauna species, especially amphibians. However, habitat diversity is often limited in urban stream restoration projects due to confined stream valleys. To address this, Gannett Fleming collaborated with the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS) to implement vernal pools in two stream restoration projects to enhance habitat diversity, ecological function, and flood storage on the floodplain.
Ten vernal pools were constructed and monitored, evaluating their colonization by various organisms, and addressing public concerns about mosquito breeding. Lessons learned from these projects provide valuable insights into the landscape position, source water, construction, function, and colonization of vernal pools, demonstrating their potential to enhance habitat and floodplain diversity in urban stream restorations beyond Baltimore County. This session will be co-presented with DEPS’s Dennis Genito.
Benefits of Quarterly and Post-Storm Monitoring to Overall Public Relations and Urban Stream Restoration Project Success
Tuesday, Aug. 22 • 1:30 p.m.
Madison Warfield
Environmental Scientist
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Email Madison
Urban stream restorations often have limited monitoring events per year, which poses a challenge in demonstrating success and meeting permit requirements. There is a growing need to provide timely and accessible data and analysis on the effectiveness of these projects to clients, officials, and the public. As well, climate-related challenges, such as increased storm events and their impact on stream flows, require ongoing assessment and adjustment for long-term channel stability.
The Upper Watts Branch Forest Preserve Stream Restoration and Environmental Stabilization project in Rockville, Maryland, involved restoring over 2,000 linear feet of natural channel stream and repairing stormwater outfalls. Post-construction monitoring conducted by Gannett Fleming over three years evaluated structural stability, stream buffer conditions, flow regime, and vegetation viability. Visual inspections after significant storm events ensured sedimentation control and identified maintenance needs.
The project’s success was attributed to active community involvement, frequent stakeholder collaboration, and extensive public outreach through local meetings and online platforms like the City of Rockville’s Esri® Story Map. The project’s adherence to quarterly and post-storm monitoring, mandated by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit requirement, demonstrated the importance of long-term restoration goals and effective public relations. This session will be co-presented with the City of Rockville.
Broad Creek Park: Valley Wide Floodplain Reconnection and Wetland Creation in an Urban Watershed
TUESDAY, AUG. 22 • 3:50 P.M.
Brad Mowbray
Senior Environmental Scientist
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Email Brad
Jessyca Olkowski, PE, CPESC
Project Engineer
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Email Jessyca
Urban environments present significant challenges for stream restoration practitioners due to high volumes of concentrated stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. This clear water erodes soft valley bottom soils, leading to deeply incised channels and sedimentation from their collapsing walls.
In collaboration with the Arundel Rivers Foundation, Gannett Fleming designed a stream restoration solution near Annapolis, Maryland, to prevent downcutting and reconnect the floodplain using clay channel plugs, grade controls, and floodplain roughness features. Hydrologic considerations for tidal and backwater influences were incorporated, and 2D hydraulic modeling and digital elevation models helped identify areas of high shear stress and optimize material usage. By creating low shear stresses, the project encourages sediment deposition and promotes the development of a stable, anastomosed braided channel. This approach benefits both clients and the environment by facilitating wetland restoration and generating municipal separate storm sewer system credits.
- AUG. 22 | 9:30 A.M.
Implementing Vernal Pools in Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Projects
TUESDAY, Aug. 22 • 9:30 A.M.
Ethan Daviau
Environmental Scientist
Connect on LinkedIn
Email EthanVernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are critical in supporting delicate flora and fauna species, especially amphibians. However, habitat diversity is often limited in urban stream restoration projects due to confined stream valleys. To address this, Gannett Fleming collaborated with the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS) to implement vernal pools in two stream restoration projects to enhance habitat diversity, ecological function, and flood storage on the floodplain.
Ten vernal pools were constructed and monitored, evaluating their colonization by various organisms, and addressing public concerns about mosquito breeding. Lessons learned from these projects provide valuable insights into the landscape position, source water, construction, function, and colonization of vernal pools, demonstrating their potential to enhance habitat and floodplain diversity in urban stream restorations beyond Baltimore County. This session will be co-presented with DEPS’s Dennis Genito.
- AUG. 22 | 1:30 P.M.
Benefits of Quarterly and Post-Storm Monitoring to Overall Public Relations and Urban Stream Restoration Project Success
Tuesday, Aug. 22 • 1:30 p.m.
Madison Warfield
Environmental Scientist
Connect on LinkedIn
Email MadisonUrban stream restorations often have limited monitoring events per year, which poses a challenge in demonstrating success and meeting permit requirements. There is a growing need to provide timely and accessible data and analysis on the effectiveness of these projects to clients, officials, and the public. As well, climate-related challenges, such as increased storm events and their impact on stream flows, require ongoing assessment and adjustment for long-term channel stability.
The Upper Watts Branch Forest Preserve Stream Restoration and Environmental Stabilization project in Rockville, Maryland, involved restoring over 2,000 linear feet of natural channel stream and repairing stormwater outfalls. Post-construction monitoring conducted by Gannett Fleming over three years evaluated structural stability, stream buffer conditions, flow regime, and vegetation viability. Visual inspections after significant storm events ensured sedimentation control and identified maintenance needs.
The project’s success was attributed to active community involvement, frequent stakeholder collaboration, and extensive public outreach through local meetings and online platforms like the City of Rockville’s Esri® Story Map. The project’s adherence to quarterly and post-storm monitoring, mandated by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit requirement, demonstrated the importance of long-term restoration goals and effective public relations. This session will be co-presented with the City of Rockville.
- AUG. 22 | 3:50 P.M.
Broad Creek Park: Valley Wide Floodplain Reconnection and Wetland Creation in an Urban Watershed
TUESDAY, AUG. 22 • 3:50 P.M.
Brad Mowbray
Senior Environmental Scientist
Connect on LinkedIn
Email BradJessyca Olkowski, PE, CPESC
Project Engineer
Connect on LinkedIn
Email JessycaUrban environments present significant challenges for stream restoration practitioners due to high volumes of concentrated stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. This clear water erodes soft valley bottom soils, leading to deeply incised channels and sedimentation from their collapsing walls.
In collaboration with the Arundel Rivers Foundation, Gannett Fleming designed a stream restoration solution near Annapolis, Maryland, to prevent downcutting and reconnect the floodplain using clay channel plugs, grade controls, and floodplain roughness features. Hydrologic considerations for tidal and backwater influences were incorporated, and 2D hydraulic modeling and digital elevation models helped identify areas of high shear stress and optimize material usage. By creating low shear stresses, the project encourages sediment deposition and promotes the development of a stable, anastomosed braided channel. This approach benefits both clients and the environment by facilitating wetland restoration and generating municipal separate storm sewer system credits.
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