From Concept to Reality – From Concept to Reality – WARD’s Stormwater WARD’s Stormwater

Floodplain Simulation Floodplain Simulation SystemSystem

Sponsored by the Michigan Stormwater-Sponsored by the Michigan Stormwater-Floodplain Association and Marketed by WARD’S Floodplain Association and Marketed by WARD’S

Natural ScienceNatural ScienceDeveloped by: Mark Walton, CFM, Weather Forecast Office Grand Rapids, Developed by: Mark Walton, CFM, Weather Forecast Office Grand Rapids, Michigan, and David Chapman, Okemos High School Science Teacher, Okemos, Michigan, and David Chapman, Okemos High School Science Teacher, Okemos, MichiganMichigan

What got us started?What got us started?“our aha moment”“our aha moment”

I was approached by a high school science teacher to come to his class and I was approached by a high school science teacher to come to his class and discuss basic hydrology, flood risk, and flood forecasting.discuss basic hydrology, flood risk, and flood forecasting.

When I was done…the high school science teacher kindly remarked that When I was done…the high school science teacher kindly remarked that while my presentation was good (death by PowerPoint)…it was not very while my presentation was good (death by PowerPoint)…it was not very interactive…nor did it engage his students very well. He asked a very interactive…nor did it engage his students very well. He asked a very probing question… “Doesn’t the Weather Service have some sort of hands probing question… “Doesn’t the Weather Service have some sort of hands on, interactive hydrologic model that would engage my students and highlight on, interactive hydrologic model that would engage my students and highlight the importance of what you do?”the importance of what you do?”

We all know, that in spite of past efforts, flood damages (and risks) are We all know, that in spite of past efforts, flood damages (and risks) are increasing . If we can reach the students, (future decision makers) maybe we increasing . If we can reach the students, (future decision makers) maybe we can reverse this trend of increasing flood damages (and risks). A more can reverse this trend of increasing flood damages (and risks). A more informed public would in turn be more likely to support public policies that informed public would in turn be more likely to support public policies that reduce flood risks and take personal actions which would reduce the risks of reduce flood risks and take personal actions which would reduce the risks of flooding to themselves and to others. And thus our journey begins…flooding to themselves and to others. And thus our journey begins…

Now What?Now What?Concept to Reality… Concept to Reality…

…as a floodplain manager I have a great idea…but how do I get it out to the …as a floodplain manager I have a great idea…but how do I get it out to the market place??market place??

Reach out to other interested partiesReach out to other interested parties Develop proposalDevelop proposal How am I going to pay for this? Funding sources.How am I going to pay for this? Funding sources. Developed prototypesDeveloped prototypes Take it on the road/provide workshopsTake it on the road/provide workshops Approach national vendorsApproach national vendors Negotiate a contractNegotiate a contract Marketing/PromosMarketing/Promos

Original Prototype WARD’s SystemOriginal Prototype WARD’s System

WARD’s Stormwater Floodplain Simulation SystemWARD’s Stormwater Floodplain Simulation System46.5”L X 16.5”W X 9.25”D46.5”L X 16.5”W X 9.25”D

WARD’s Stormwater WARD’s Stormwater Floodplain Simulation SystemFloodplain Simulation System Simple, easy to useSimple, easy to use PortablePortable Hands onHands on

3 Different “Plug and Play” Headwaters3 Different “Plug and Play” Headwaters Can add a levee to modify floodplainCan add a levee to modify floodplain Can change the slopeCan change the slope Can modify rainfall intensity and amount over Can modify rainfall intensity and amount over

headwaterheadwater Staff gage used to measure river levelsStaff gage used to measure river levels

Comes with setup and curriculum guide with Comes with setup and curriculum guide with defined activities and proceduresdefined activities and procedures

Curriculum Includes…Curriculum Includes… Introduction/Case Study of a flood prone communityIntroduction/Case Study of a flood prone community Fate of RainFate of Rain Modeling Flood Risk Factors Modeling Flood Risk Factors

ExperimentsExperiments• Wetland HeadwaterWetland Headwater• Parking Lot HeadwaterParking Lot Headwater

Manmade attempts to minimize flooding Manmade attempts to minimize flooding ExperimentsExperiments

• Parking Lot HeadwaterParking Lot Headwater Floodplain with LeveeFloodplain with Levee

• Retention Pond HeadwaterRetention Pond Headwater

Factors affecting flood forecastingFactors affecting flood forecasting No Adverse ImpactNo Adverse Impact Turn Around Don’t DrownTurn Around Don’t Drown Creating a Flood Safe CommunityCreating a Flood Safe Community

Results from Experiments…Results from Experiments…There are a variety of ways There are a variety of ways this floodplain simulation this floodplain simulation system can be used. system can be used.

One effective use is to run One effective use is to run a series of trials with the a series of trials with the same rainfall, but alter the same rainfall, but alter the characteristics of the characteristics of the watershed. watershed.

Recording the stream Recording the stream stage every 5 seconds and stage every 5 seconds and graphing the data clearly graphing the data clearly demonstrates the impacts demonstrates the impacts on the river system with on the river system with land use changes within land use changes within the watershed. the watershed.

The hydrographs to the left The hydrographs to the left were produced in this way were produced in this way using the model. using the model.

What’s next?What’s next?

Development continues on additional headwater types Development continues on additional headwater types that demonstrate such things as:that demonstrate such things as:

Porous PavementPorous Pavement Stormwater Best Management PracticesStormwater Best Management Practices

• BioswalesBioswales

• Rain GardensRain Gardens

• Green roofsGreen roofs

Development continues on additional curriculum for such Development continues on additional curriculum for such things as:things as:

No Adverse Impact (NAI)No Adverse Impact (NAI) Ice Jams FloodingIce Jams Flooding Sediment transportSediment transport

Reserve your System today! Reserve your System today! The WARD’S Stormwater Floodplain The WARD’S Stormwater Floodplain Simulation Simulation

System is available for immediate shipment.System is available for immediate shipment. Act now Act now to take advantage of special savings! Place to take advantage of special savings! Place

your order at the ASFPM Conference and your order at the ASFPM Conference and SAVE 10% SAVE 10% on the introductory price of $1,195.00. on the introductory price of $1,195.00.

For For ordering instructions, please use the flyer ordering instructions, please use the flyer provided at the ASFPM Conference…make sure to provided at the ASFPM Conference…make sure to use the special coupon code use the special coupon code ASFPM10ASFPM10 when when ordering your model.ordering your model.

10 % of the proceeds from every model sold goes to 10 % of the proceeds from every model sold goes to the Michigan Stormwater – Floodplain Association the Michigan Stormwater – Floodplain Association Scholarship fund!Scholarship fund!

Serious About Science Since 1862!Serious About Science Since 1862!

WARD’S Natural ScienceWARD’S Natural Science wardsci.comwardsci.com

phone: 800-962-2660phone: 800-962-2660 fax: 800-334-6174fax: 800-334-6174