Prioritizing Sites for Watershed Restoration

Deanna Bobak, MBA
May 7 @ 1:15 – 1:45 PM

Prioritizing restoration within a watershed is unique to each watershed’s needs and the stakeholders who operate within it. This presentation will explore examples and case studies that have employed various techniques in prioritization including collecting physical data, employing technical models, developing databases of spatial data, and relying on local knowledge.

Gorman Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration

Matthew Cochran, PWS, CERP & Ryan Olson, CFM
May 7 @ 5 – 5:30 PM

Water quality improvements in the heavily urbanized Sharon Creek – Mill Creek watershed and providing educational opportunities at Gorman Heritage Farm.

Auglaize River Floodplain Retention Project

Bradley Petru, MS, PWS, ISA-CA & Ryan Olson, CFM
May 8 @ 4:30 – 5 PM

The Auglaize River Floodplain Replenishment Project is located within Putnam County, on a tributary of the Maumee River. Land management on the 63-acre parcel has resulted in the construction of makeshift levees and berms comprised of concrete rubble, farm debris and junk cars along the river’s edge, isolating floodplain engagement at frequent storm events.

The goal of the Project was to restore floodplain access and storage and is estimated to provide 13.5 acre-feet of new storage at the 1-YR storm elevation and upwards of 15.1 acre-feet of storage at the 5-YR storm elevation. The floodplain restoration area engages flooding below the 1-Year storm event elevation, and is estimated to fill 2.2 times a year for a total storage volume of 9.7 million gallons annually in the  lower elevations and 87.6 million gallons every five years (approximately 17.5 million gallons annually) collectively across the three wetland complexes.