Responsible Floodplain Management - Invitation for ASFPM Conference Attendees

I like the invitation below.  I'll tell you why.

































I like it for a couple of reasons.  First, the title.  When I read something that has a tag line like "Responsible Floodplain Management" I automatically assume..."hmmm, there must be an irresponsible floodplain management approach" and I'm automatically hooked.  Because, of course, I don't want to be irresponsible.   But, that's just me.

The other reason I like it, is because if you are going to the National ASFPM Conferenect in Louisville, Kentucky you can take advantage of this advance opportuntiy to hear from OUR key note speaker for the NeFSMA Annual Conference.  Terri Turner with Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission and Co-Chair of the No Adverse Impact (NAI) Committee will be sharing some of the same information at both events.  If  you are going to the National Conference, you should take advantage.  If you are not, be sure to come to our Conference.  You will hear Terri plus over 15 other speakers presenting on important floodplain and stormwater information the you can't live without.  Registration is coming soon.

UWRI Releases Free Tool to Calculate Water Quality Capture Volume

If you are an MS4 or a Floodplain Administrator in Nebraska, you should consider using the WQ-COSM tool to get an accurate value of your local water quality rain event.  

If you are interested, we can consider running this simulation for a couple communities in Nebraska when we host the NeFSMA Annual Conference on June 23rd, 2011.  Send an email to jesse.poore@fhueng.com if you want us to consider running the tool for your community at the conference.

URBAN WATERSHEDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

To all stormwater management professionals:

The Urban Watersheds Research Institute, with the help and guidance of the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District and the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Colorado Denver, developed new software for the sizing of the Water Quality Capture Volume (WQCV), an essential part of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that control the volume and rates of runoff. 

This software calculates surface runoff using continuous simulation.  To do so, it uses continuous 15- and 60-minute rainfall data available from the National Climatologic Data Center.   Two runoff options are available, the Rational Method and the modified Horton's Equation, similar to that employed by the EPA SWMM 5.0 model.  Runoff is based on the hydrologic properties of the tributary catchment and will work anywhere in the country.  The WQCV is calculated using the runoff volumes generated and the user-input drain time for this volume, something the user should know for the BMP being designed.

The model provides the user with a comprehensive list of WQCVs to choose from along with the percent of all runoff volume captured, as well as the percent of the storm events captured in total for each capture volume.  In addition, the maximized WQCV (i.e., the point of diminishing returns) is also identified for the user to consider.  This information greatly simplifies the sizing and the design of BMPs.  Best of all, it is simple to use and BMP design is then based on continuous simulation results using rainfall data collected over long periods of time (i.e., most of the time exceeding 20 years) and not on synthetic design storms. 

A document describing what the software does, the software itself, and the user manual may be downloaded and used at no cost from the following three links: 

http://urbanwatersheds.org/links/pdf/Description%20of%20the%20WQ-COSM%20Computer%20Model.pdf

http://urbanwatersheds.org/software/WQ-COSM%201.0.msi

http://urbanwatersheds.org/software/WQ-COSM_v1.0-Users_Manual.pdf

UWRI would appreciate hearing from you if you use it, how it performs and what enhancements or changes you would like to see implemented in the future.  E-mail Ben Urbonas your comments at info@urbanwatersheds.org.

Ben Urbonas, PE, D.WRE

President

Urban Watersheds Research Institute

Two of NeFSMA's Own Heard on the Radio this Week

On May 5th, two NeFSMA members were heard on local radio doling out their descriptions of how the proposed Haymarket Arena in Lincoln would be impacted by the floodplain and floodplain standards.

You can listen to the podcast of Jack and John in the Morning (1400 KLIN) here: http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Browse/playaudio/9364

Very nicely done, Carter and Ben! Flood storage mitigation, no-net fill, flood events, and flood standards, and levees are sometimes difficult concepts to communicate to the general public. Your descriptions were very well articulated and understandable by the early morning commuter traffic.

(Notice: NeFSMA does not provide support for or against the proposed Haymarket Arena.)

Jesse Poore

2010 NeFSMA Chair