The Paradox of Water
Although essential to the survival of life on the planet, water can also cause significant problems. There can be too much or too little. The water can be relatively pure or contaminated. The water can arrive too quickly and then not be present for long periods of time. The location where the water is needed can be far from the source of the water. When there is too much water, the system of pipes, creeks and storage basins must be adequate for the conveyance of the excessive flow. Often water causes damage to property. The cause of the damage and alternatives to reduce the likelihood of future damage must be identified. These are the types of problems that Hydrosphere Engineering investigates on a regular basis. The projects below are representative of the work done by Hydrosphere Engineering.
East Branch of the Rocky River flowing over the Eastland Ford
The Eastland Ford is one of four fords located on the East Branch of the Rocky River within the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. In 1998 the Cleveland Metroparks replaced the fords. The fords in existence in 1998 were flooded and impassable nearly 100 days per year. The goal of the Cleveland Metroparks was to maintain the ford setting, but only have the fords impassable approximately 10 days per year. Hydrosphere Engineering performed a flood frequency analysis, performed a hydraulic analysis, and provided the dimensions of the waterway openings which would be flooded and impassable 10 days per year.
Holden Arboretum Shady Brook Natural channel restoration
Shady Brook, a tributary of the Chagrin River, is located within the property limits of the Holden Arboretum. In 2006, a severe flood occurred which caused severe slope slippage and the mobilization and transport of large volumes of sediment along a reach of Shady Brook. The upstream pool behind a small dam had completely filled with sediment. The small concrete dam had deteriorated to the point of needing replacement.The Holden Arboretum was interested in having a part of Shady Brook restored and rerouted to have the stream bypass the dam, to restore the sediment carrying capacity of the stream, and to prevent additional sedimentation problems further downstream within the watershed. Hydrosphere Engineering completed the hydraulic design of the riffle-pool sequence for the restoration of the natural channel.
Flooding of the Woods at Auburn Lakes
The Woods at Auburn Lakes is a residential development in Geauga County, Ohio. During 2015 a severe flooding event occurred causing inudation of property, water intrusion into basements, and property damage to structures and contents. The homeowners' association was interested in a comprehensive hydrologic and hydraulic analysis that would identify the cause of the flooding, and to determine alternatives that would minimize future flooding. Hydrosphere Engineering developed a comprehensive computer model of the storm drainage system, identified several alternatives which would minimize future flooding, prepared plans and specifications for construction, and supervised construction. The top photograph on the right shows the ditch under construction. The bottom photograph on the right shows the completed rock lined roadside ditch with over 4 times the carrying capacity of the undersized storm sewer, which it replaced. The bottom of the ditch was lined with geotextile filter fabric.
