Harris & Associates’ Strategic Drainage Improvements Alleviate Local Flood Hazards for City of Anaheim Residents

http://www.harris-assoc.com/PRDetail.jsp?restrictids=nu_repeatitemid&restrictvalues=2161392240601297934263755Innovative storm drain improvements, designed by Harris & Associates, have been instrumental in mitigating potential flood hazards during the winter rainy season for residents in the West Anaheim neighborhoods tributary to the Thornton/Brady Storm Drain system.
Prior to Harris’ involvement, the area was susceptible to severe flooding. The West Anaheim Neighborhood District Council voted to elevate this drainage issue to a top priority.
Harris’ solution for the Thornton Brady Storm Drain Improvement project called to maintain the existing Thornton/Brady drainage ditch as the historical drainage flow path and to construct a shallow reinforced concrete box (RCB) storm drain system, directly underneath the existing drainage ditch, to act as the primary underground drainage system during high storm events.  The primary goal was to better protect the affected residents from flooding. Key objectives of the project included the following:

• Providing flood protection for 10-year and 25-year storm events, which will eliminate the majority of nuisance water flows in adjacent streets
• Cleaning up affected parkways
• Improving poor existing aesthetics
• Limiting undesirable public access to the ditch
• Reducing cost by eliminating any need for right-of-way acquisitions by the City
• Reducing the potential for clogging, debris and flooding in the area
• Minimizing public inconvenience during construction