Stormwater

After winning a stormwater design contract, Allgeier Martin's Dr. Charles Patterson clarified the difference between retention and detention ponds, emphasizing precise terminology in stormwater management. This insight highlights the importance of engineers in protecting infrastructure and the environment.

The intersection at 7th Street and Illinois Avenue frequently flooded during storms, but Allgeier Martin's solution involved deepening and widening Joplin Creek to increase stormwater capacity, installing new drainage systems, and adding a triple box culvert under Route 66. This project, completed in 2020, has successfully mitigated flooding and improved the area’s stormwater management.

Flood forensics involves analyzing high-water marks—evidence left on land and structures after a flood—to reconstruct flood events, assess damage, and improve future flood resistance. Obvious debris lines and subtle sediment marks help determine flood levels and volumes. Timely documentation of these marks is crucial, as they can quickly erode. This information aids in accurate flood modeling and enhances community flood preparedness.