Courses

Course Description _{(download in PDF)}

The Problem
Construction and other large land disturbing activities can modify the hydrologic balance and damage or degrade water resources. As of March 13, 2003, the U.S. EPA, through its NPDES stormwater regulations, requires effective stormwater and erosion control plans for all construction sites of one acre or more. Many local and state governments require developments to control stormwater runoff and sediment production. Although a variety of computer-based techniques are available to assist the designer, a basic understanding of hydrology, erosion, and sedimentation processes is needed to assure the available design software is used properly.

The Solution
This comprehensive design course covers stormwater, sediment and erosion control from fundamental principles to practical design and field applications. The course includes use of the newest techniques and methodologies. Basic principles of environmental hydrology and sedimentology , design procedures and consideration for installation and maintenance. Attention is given to explaining why some stormwater designs work and why others do not. Includes hands-on exercises in a computer lab and a field trip to local implementation sites. Useful software will be provided to use and take home.  

Course Agenda

• Introduction

·         Overview of Erosion & Sediment Control Practices

·         Rainfall, Runoff & Stormwater Management

·         Sediment Properties & Principles of Sedimentation

·         Channel Geomorphology

·         Design of Stable Channels

·         Erosion & Sediment Control

·         Designing Sediment Retention Reservoirs

·         Designing Barrier Control Systems (ditch checks, filter fences, etc.)

·         New Stormwater BMPs and Low Impact Development (LID)

·         Developing an effective Temporary Stormwater Erosion & Sediment  
Control Plan

·         Field Tour

The Benefits of Attending

·         Review basic hydrology and sedimentology

·         Learn to select the best erosion/sediment control design options for your plans

·         Learn to design erosion & sediment control plans that comply with NPDES and other Federal, State, and local stormwater environmental requirements

·         Improve the performance of erosion/sediment control systems

·         Reduce neighbor complaints and lawsuits

·         Learn which techniques work in erosion control

·         Receive practical and useful design aides

·        Participate in a field trip to active stormwater implementation sites

·         Receive a Certificate of Completion

·         Take home $200 of reference books & manuals

·         Earn 2.4 CEUs and/or 24 PDHs

Who Should Attend?

·        Engineers

·      Developers

·      Technicians

·      Field inspectors

·      City, County, State, and Federal regulators

·      Permit writers

·      Enforcement personnel

·      Industry & government environmental specialists

·      Engineering consultants

·      Landscape architects

·      Construction contractors

·      State, Federal and local government agency personnel interested
                   in erosion/sediment  control systems

INSTRUCTORS

Michael D. Smolen, Ph.D., is a Professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University.  Mike has an extensive background in the area of water quality as well as erosion and sediment control.  He has authored more than 50 publications on rural and urban nonpoint source pollution control and was the project leader in developing North Carolina's Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual, and Erosion and Sediment Control Field Manual.

Ellen W. Stevens, Ph.D., P.E., is a researcher and lecturer at Oklahoma State University and also works as a private consultant in hydrology/hydraulics and water resources planning and engineering.  Her current research activity is focused on developing design aids to improve use of silt fence as a construction site BMP.  She previously worked in Planning for the Corps of Engineers Vicksburg, MS District and with FEMA Flood Insurance Studies for Dewberry and Davis in Fairfax, VA.  She has a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from Oklahoma State University, is a registered professional engineer in Oklahoma and Mississippi and a Certified Floodplain Manager.

Marty Matlock, Ph.D., P.E., is an Associate Professor in the Ecological Engineering Group of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He is a Certified Senior Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, and a Registered Professional Engineer (Texas). He teaches courses in ecological risk assessment and ecological engineering principles and practices. He works with the Ecological Engineering Group at the University of Arkansas on watershed-scale approaches to investigate, remediate, and manage ecological services.