Restoring Urban Streams and Watersheds to Create Healthy and Happy Cities: 27 Years of Experience in 27 Slides
Will Wilhelm, PE, CFM
Kimley-Horn
Denver, Colorado
When it comes down to it, we all just want to be healthy and happy. When communities invest in public infrastructure, they need to ask, “Does this investment improve the livability, safety, equity, and resiliency of our community?” Cities around the world are realizing that stream restoration projects, green infrastructure policy, and waterway resiliency programs achieve these goals and create improved urban environments for their citizens to pursue health and happiness. As urban stream restoration projects and waterway resiliency programs become common investments like roads, water, and sewer project, we as practitioners must ensure that they are executed exceptionally well. We must be the urban stream ambassador moving the science and engineering forward while not taking risks that lead to failed, counterproductive projects. If we can successfully convert our rip rap and concrete urban lifeless channels back to natural green spaces, we can improve water quality, reduce flooding, and create urban parks and greenways. Holistic projects that improve, link, and balance the natural and built environments will improve our cities and planet.
This presentation will share lessons learned, best practices, and dozens of case studies of creating better environments. It will share 25+ years of practical experience and just give stuff I wish everyone knew, mistakes to avoid, and a bunch of cool photos.
About Will Wilhelm, PE, CFM
Will Wilhelm is a water resources professional who manages n watershed and floodplain projects involving natural channel designs, green infrastructure BMPs/SCMs for water quality and quantity. He is one of the driving forces behind Kimley-Horn’s watershed, floodplain management, resiliency, and natural systems practices. He has been involved in the planning, permitting, modeling, and design of more than 500,000 linear feet of completed stream and floodplain restoration projects across the country. Will is a registered professional engineer in Colorado, North Carolina, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and a big fan of burgers, tacos, and donuts.
