Post-Flood Training - Municipal Officials/Contractors Rick Weidenbach, Executive Director Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District Scotty Gladstone, Stream Corridor Program Coordinator Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District Phil Eskeli, Project Manager New York City Department of Environmental Protection

2 Purpose Train local highway personnel –Post-flood triage Proactive vs. reactive approach

3 Outline Brief history Applying the science 2006 post-flood pilot program Post-flood training concept Post-flood training program

4 Flooding History 7 Declared events 1996 through 2007

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7 DA = 1.55 mi 2

8 Post-Flood Work Floods have devastating effects Post-flood work necessary to reopen: –Transportation networks –Clogged waterways Post-flood work usually taxing on local resources –Funding –Personnel

9 Post-Flood Work Improper post-flood work can negatively affect: –Stream function –Stream stability –Aquatic habitat –Water quality –Local resources

10 After a flood event we need to develop a Work Plan - Triage

11 Where to work Where not to work

12 Note where the stream is beginning to adjust itself…

13 And is continuing a month later. This is very rapid stream evolution. The lack of a floodplain will cause the stream to build one to maintain its natural functions.

14 Still adjusting in October

15 December

16 March 2008

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18 This downstream adjustment created a head-cut upstream…

19 This slope was actively migrating as the stream continued to lower its bed to adjust its profile. This increased potential risk to those downstream. 6+ feet

20 Applying the Science

21 We Know That… If we understand and work with stream processes we can protect: –Property –Infrastructure –Aquatic habitat –Water quality And can begin to apply these principles during Emergency Flood Response

22 Before Stream Intervention

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24 C/L x5d d x d Floodplain Typical Cross-Section

25 After Stream Intervention

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27 What it Looks Like Today

28 A Pilot Emergency Stream Intervention Program Post-2006 Flood Event

29 Goal Emergency Triage –Assess and correct avulsed and severely blocked stream channels… …not long-term stabilization

30 Protocol Assess stream reach Remove large woody debris Return streams to original channel Establish adequate cross-section –DCSWCD Regional Hydraulic Curves Obtain regulatory permits De-water job site Assess/document further needs

31 Priority Sites Stream out of original channel –Flowing through crop/pasture land Water quality impaired Access to other fields compromised Stream channel capacity compromised

32 Priority Sites Channel debris is an immediate threat Channel capacity significantly impaired

33 Before – Stream Intervention Note this tree Cropland

34 After – Stream Intervention Floodplain restored Channel capacity restored Used large woody debris for streambank protection

35 Need for Trained Constituency Developed training program concept

36 Round IX EPF Grant Obtained $161,700 NYS DEC Round IX Non- agriculture Non-point Source Funding $161,700 NYCDEP project match

37 Project Advisory Committee Federal, state, regional, & local agencies –Guide and advise process –Help disseminate information…… –

38 Post-flood Training Program

39 Training Purpose Training for contractors and municipal highway personnel PRIOR to the next event to…

40 Training Objectives Read a stream –Where and where not to work Re-connect floodplains Restore channel capacity Use of Regional Curves to perform these measures

41 Training Components Classroom –Case examples –Use of Regional Curves –Regulatory permitting On-site –Putting principles to practice in the field Channel size, dimensions, matching us/ds conditions, de-watering Course follow-up

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43 How Training was Received Participation –Excellent – 121 trainees Attitudes and knowledge transfer –Very good, attentive Participant interaction –Issues raised by participants

44 Course Outcomes Developing common language Constituents exposed to new concept –can hit the ground running at the next event Better emergency coordination Better regulatory coordination Established links to additional technical support Training Certificates issued Future certification?

45 Next Steps Put this training and knowledge to practice Continue this training across NYS Identify other training needs