PA Environment Digest

Share this:

Penn State Water Insights Seminar March 26: Seeking Opportunities To Reduce The Impact Of Flood Events

The Penn State Environment and Natural Resources Institute will host another in its series of Water Insights Seminars on March 26 on Seeking Opportunities to Reduce the Impact Of Flood Events In Urban Areas.

Shirley Clark, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Penn State Harrisburg will do a presentation entitled, Playing the Hand We're Dealt: Understand the Effects of Historical Urban Development While Seeking Opportunities to Reduce the Impact of Flood Events.

Middletown, Dauphin County receives piped stormwater runoff from more than 5 jurisdictions and passes it through to the river.

On July 23, 2017, a microburst storm dropped 4.7 inches of rainfall on the watershed in 2 hours, resulting in substantial flash flooding.

Two capstone classes have identified opportunities for temporary storage in the system. In several locations, the piping system and detention pond capacities may not be not fully used and could be optimized to attenuate flood peaks.

However, historical information indicates the area contains several streams that have been buried and soils data indicates that the soils have limited water holding capacity, both of which are likely to increase runoff and reduce available storage capacity.

This presentation highlights why a complete watershed analysis is needed to address flooding issues, especially in older urban areas where the systems are old, leaky, and may contain forgotten streams.

The Seminar will held from Noon to 1:00 in Room 312 of the Ag and Bio Engineering Building on Penn State’s main campus in State College and is available online via Zoom.

For more information on past Seminars, visit the Water Insights Seminars webpage.

NewsClips:

Twp.. Supervisors, Farmers Discuss Flooding Issues With DEP

Flooding Closes Central PA Roads, Swamps Yards After Heavy Rain

Updates To Flood Insurance Policy Could Cost Homeowners More

Mansfield Council, DEP To Collaborate On Flooding Issue In Borough

As Levee Costs Grow In Williamsport, Next Stage Includes State Funding

Williamsport Authority Reorganizes To Tackle Costs Of Levee Recertification

Grafius Run Flood Damage At $5 Million In Lycoming County

Editorial: Recertifying Levee In Williamsport: Runaway Costs, Hazy Payment Plan

Luzerne County Involvement In Wyoming Valley Levee System Debated

Luzerne Flood Authority Hres Solicitor, Debates Ties To Luzerne County