1. Stormwater Simulation System
Presenter Certification Training

2. Objectives Proper care of model to prevent damage Set up of model
Various experiments (wetlands, parking lot, levee, detention, etc.)

3. Stormwater Simulation System Presenter Training
The following presentation shows how to use and demonstrate the 3D Floodplain model effectively
All experiments and lesson plans can be modified for any age group

5. Why do we need certified presenters?
Floodplain modeling demonstrations are being offered as a hands-on activity, to local schools, civic groups, city councils, economic development committees, etc. at no cost.

6. Why we offer this service?
To help people of every age who have been through a flood understand it from a scientific standpoint in order to process the trauma & regain a sense of control over their world.
Raise awareness of the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain
Promote the profession of floodplain management
Save lives!!!

7. Stormwater/Floodplain Model
Simple, easy to use
Portable
Hands on, Interactive & Fun!
3 Different “Plug and Play” Headwater Trays
Can add a levee to modify floodplain
Can change the slope
Can modify rainfall intensity over headwater (2 rainmaker trays)
Staff gage used to measure river levels
Shows dangers & impact of unplanned development & human activity in the floodplain.
Comes with setup and curriculum guide with defined activities and procedures - can be modified to fit any age, education level or group activity.

8. This is the Stormwater/Floodplain Simulation Model

9. Slope of Stormwater/Floodplain Model is easily adjustable using the custom riser

10. Three Different “Plug and Play” Headwater Types:
1.) Wetland
2.) Parking Lot
3.) Stormwater Retention Pond

11. Note holes drilled into Wetland Headwater to simulate base flow and groundwater principles…

12. Looking Upriver with Wetland Headwater installed

13. Looking Downriver with Parking Lot Headwater installed

14. Birds eye view Zone X Outlet Zone X Headwater Chapman River
Zone A
Zone AE
Floodplain
Zone X
Flood way
Zone X

15. Cross Section of the Stormwater/Floodplain Model

16. Cross Section of River showing staff gage

17. A known quantity of water is poured into the “rainmaker” on the headwater, and the timing and quantity is measured at the outlet for each Headwater type.

18. Using the Floodplain Simulator
Create an experiment that will flood an entire town & cause homes to float away
See the value of wetlands, retention ponds, detention ponds, rain gardens, green roofs, porous pavement
Build levees and see how stream flow affects downstream communities during times of high run-off
Understand the dangers of driving over a flooded road
Wonderful opportunity for team building to find and test solutions to a variety of floodplain problems

19. Curriculum Includes…
Introduction/Case Study of a flood prone community
Fate of Rain
Modeling Flood Risk Factors
Experiments
Wetland Headwater
Parking Lot Headwater
Manmade attempts to minimize flooding
Floodplain with Levee
Retention Pond Headwater
Factors affecting flood forecasts
No Adverse Impact
Turn Around Don’t Drown
Creating a Flood Safe Community
Run-off Footprint

20. Portage Northern High School Environmental Science Class
For Each Experiment
1 person adds the rainfall
1 person takes readings
1 person records the time
1 person records the data
1 person builds the levee
Data is input into excel spreadsheet and plotted.
Portage Northern High School Environmental Science Class

21. Results from Experiments…
Example of data plotted in Microsoft Excel

22. Hands-on, Table Top Stormwater/Floodplain Simulation Model
Credits
Bill Robison, P.E. CFM, OFMA Education & Outreach Committee
Dee Robison, CFM, OFMA Education & Outreach Committee Chairman
Hands-on, Table Top Stormwater/Floodplain Simulation Model
Sponsored by the Michigan Stormwater-Floodplain Association and Marketed by WARD’S Natural Science
Developed by: Mark Walton, CFM, Weather Forecast Office Grand Rapids, Michigan, and David Chapman, Okemos High School Science Teacher, Okemos, Michigan
WARD’S Natural Science wardsci.com
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