Review

The point of case studies

Case Study 4

The case of the flooded basements

ScenarioIn the 1990s the route of a US Highway was changedThe roadway was expanded from 2 to 4 lanes The roadway was also changed from uncontrolled to controlled access

I.e., from a road with stop lights & stop signs at intersections to one with entrance & exit ramps

Over the next few years, residents of the study area claimed that their basements were flooding more frequently, with more water, and for longer durationsThese residents filed a lawsuit seeking damages for the basement flooding, which they attributed to the new highway

Rough map of the area

TasksIdentify a few additional pieces of geographic information that you could use to prove or disprove the claims of the residents

Write down your answersAssuming these data do not exist, how and where would you go about collecting them in the field?

Write down your answersMark these places on your map

Discussion: Useful DataMap of drainage patterns before and after constructionLocation and characteristics of culverts & bridges under the roadwayTopographic map identifying features like oxbow lakesMaps of the groundwater table (which changes over time) from areas inside and outside the affected areaMap of soil types that includes information on sediment depth and permeabilityLocation of borrow ponds

Additional DiscussionAny comments of questions?

Have a nice weekendSee you Monday