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| Award-Winning Stream Restoration by Heather Porterfield As environmental awareness has risen, so has sensitivity to environmental concerns in the design of infrastructure. Anderson & Associates has long provided clients with environmental engineering services and recently services that are less traditional, such as natural stream restoration. Natural stream restoration uses techniques that provide long-term solutions while protecting the environment. Techniques commonly used during a natural stream restoration project include: 
Ø constructing temporary habitat for displacedwildlife (fish, turtles, frogs) Ø reusing root-wads to help eliminate future erosion Ø constructing rock vanes and weirs to dissipate the force of eroding waters Ø excavating streambeds to replicate the shape, curve, and depth characteristics of the original creek Ø planting natural trees and plants to provide stability to the creek banks Ø stabilizing natural growth along the creek banks with geotextile fabrics Anderson & Associates and the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority (FWSA) were recently awarded the nationally acclaimed Association of Conservation Engineers’ Carl V. Anderson Conservation Project Award of Merit in recognition of their leadership in the natural stream restoration project at Abrams Creek. Upon learning of the award, Jesse Moffett of FWSA said, "Anderson & Associates brought a new idea to the table for a natural stream approach rather than a traditional armament process. It was a long-term solution that benefited the citizens of Frederick County and Winchester. It also protected the environmental qualities of Abrams Creek. It was a winning solution all the way around. And now, we're proud to have been recognized nationally for this work."
Through the natural solution, several objectives were achieved on the Abrams Creek project. First, the danger of the wastewater line rupturing was eliminated, thereby safeguarding the water quality for the watershed, its almost 90,000 residents, businesses, and wildlife. Secondly, the approach provided a long-term solution that will protect the environment without further intervention for years to come. Thirdly, the natural beauty of the area was preserved. For more information on A&A’s environmental engineering services, including natural stream restoration, please contact Middletown Branch Manager Tim Stowe at 540-869-2501 or by e-mail at stowe@andassoc.com. &
[Browse Other Issues] This page was last updated 02/27/04 |
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The Abrams Creek Stream Restoration Project eliminated
the risk of environmental contamination from a 200' section of 36" wastewater line
that was exposed due to extensive erosion. Given the 6 million gallons of wastewater
flowing through the pipe each day, the potential danger to the community and the
environment was significant.
