All design alternatives were analyzed using a plus (+), minus (-), neutral (0) scale to determine how the alternative meets the defined criteria.
Defined Criteria
Stormwater Management Effectiveness: This criterion determines how effective the alternative will manage storm flows.
Cost: This criterion considers how cost effective the alternative is.
Innovation: This criterion decides how unique the alternative is in comparison to typical stormwater management solutions.
Operation and Maintenance: This criterion analyzes the labor and cost needed to maintain and operate the alternative.
Community C0-Benefits: This criterion considers the alternative's impact on the local community and if it will add a green space.
Design Alternatives
Watershed Modifications ~ Gabion Structures
This alternative looked at adding stand-alone gabion structures to the watershed and along the channel banks. Using gabion structures should reduce the storm flow throughout the channel, as well as reducing sediment transport. This alternative can be used with other watershed and channel modifications to make it more effective.
Channel Amendments ~ Cross-Vane Weir
This alternative considered making amendments along the reach of the channel to improve velocities and sediment transport. A cross-vane weir helps create a sediment pool and trap, allowing the water to flow more effectively. This alternative can be used with other modifications to the channel and surrounding area.
Storm Barrier ~ Deployable
This alternative examined the idea to use a storm barrier that would focus on protecting the residential houses and reducing impacts to the watershed and channel. A storm barrier that can be deployed and stored away will help improve community aesthetics and can be utilized to have a longer life span. This alternative can be used in addition or along with other modifications.
BACK TO TOPDecision Matrix
Watershed Modifications ~ Gabion Structures
Stormwater Management Effectiveness: Controlling flow upstream helps decrease flow in the wash.
Cost: Due to the large scale nature, this will be extremely expensive.
Innovativeness: This can be innovative due to watershed differences and placements of the gabions.
Operation and Maintenance: There will be minimal operation and maintenance.
Community Co-Benefits: This adds no green space to the community.
Channel Amendments ~ Cross-Vane Weir
Stormwater Management Effectiveness: Modifying the channel can maximize flow efficiency.
Cost: The excavation and addition of boulders will be costly.
Innovativeness: This is not innovative inherently, but changes could be made.
Operation and Maintenance: Operation and maintenance will be necessary after storm events due to large amounts of sediment.
Community Co-Benefits: This adds no green space to the community.
Storm Barrier ~ Deployable
Stormwater Management Effectiveness: The barrier will prevent stormwater from reaching vulnerable areas.
Cost: Materials are readily available and there is minimal earthwork required.
Innovativeness: The design and idea of deployment is innovative.
Operation and Maintenance: Operation and maintenance will be necessary after storm events due to large amounts of sediment.
Community Co-Benefits: Infrastructure to support this design will provide an area for community green space.
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