RES Virtual Continuing Education Courses Offering PDHs

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023

Theme: Dam Safety & Hydrology

Time: 1:00 to 5:00 pm

THE COST TO THE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN CHANGED 11/9/2023 TO REFLECT THAT ALL THREE ARE APPROVED FOR A PDH CREDIT. THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP ALREADY WILL GET AN EMAIL FROM US SOON TO INQUIRE IF WANTING TO RECEIVE A 3RD PDH CREDIT AND WILL INVOICE ACCORDINGLY. 

Cost: $30 RES and MPES Members; $45 Non-members

Registration closes at midnight, November 15th.

Zoom links will be emailed to you around the 9th and again this week and your link is unique to you only (Note that the email subject says ZOOM). Be sure to check your spam folders as we find many companies block emails coming from our website because it is from Canada which is international. You may want to use your personal email when signing up for these courses.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - 1 PDH Approved

Dam Safety - An Introduction

by James Guistina, PE, Colliers Engineering & Design

Abstract: Dams provide countless benefits to our society: water supply, flood protection, navigation, and recreation.  Many of New York’s dams were built before modern design standards were in place, with the average age of dams regulated by the state at 74, and the average age of all dams in the state at 86 and are either approaching or have surpassed their design lives. Another challenge facing dam infrastructure in the state is classification creep. Dams that were constructed without downstream population at risk have seen an increase in development in their inundation area, meaning they no longer meet the design standards because of a change in classification. This is evident in the fact that between 2015 and 2020, the number of High Hazard dams has grown from 394 to 408. Fortunately, dam safety has become a higher priority in recent years and around 97% of High-Hazard potential dams have an Emergency Action Plan in place as well as a robust inspection program.  But all of this begs the question: What is a dam, how do they function and most importantly how do we make sure they are safe?  The answer is of course; Dam Safety.  This presentation will take you through the considerations of dam safety starting with what the mechanisms of a dam are, how one functions, what are some of the design parameters such as hydrology and hydraulics.  Additionally, we will take a quick look at what is being done to inspect, maintain, and perform safety risk assessments relating to downstream inundation areas and the people that could be affected by a dam.

Biography: Jim is experienced in the structural and hydraulic design of bridges, dams and culverts.  He has performed hydraulic analysis on culverts, bridges and dams for various municipalities. Analysis include culvert size/design, bridge hydraulic opening design, dam safety, dam hydraulic analysis, stream morphology, stream scour and bank stabilization. He utilizes HEC-RAS, HY-8, HEC-HMS, SITES, Rosgen River Stability and other programs to analyze hydraulic models to provide a thorough and practical analysis. He has a firm understanding of NYS DEC procedures including, permitting, dam safety, storm water and exposure to environmental law tied with canal dredging operations. He is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Buffalo.  Jim has PE licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and South Carolina.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm -  1 PDH Approved

Highway Drainage Law:  An Engineer’s Perspective

by Geoffrey Scott, PE

Abstract: Drainage is a critical component to consider when doing any kind of work, whether it is on or off the highway. It is important to understand how the law affects the changes to drainage that can be made. This session will discuss the history of drainage law in New York State, what are the legal rights and responsibilities for highway departments, and the requirements for access when making drainage improvements in and out of the Right of Way.

Biography: Geoffrey has been engaged in drainage and stormwater projects for over 25 years. As a consultant, he designed and conducted inspections on many land development projects, worked with local municipalities in New York and Connecticut on developing and maintaining multiple stormwater and drainage projects, and provided guidance on the legal aspects involved with the construction and maintenance of these projects. While at Cornell Local Roads, Geoffrey has continued providing guidance and training to local municipalities engaged in drainage and stormwater projects. As part of this, he has developed a Stormwater Management training workshop offered through the Cornell Local Roads program (New York State LTAP). Geoffrey graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and is a licensed professional engineer in New York and Connecticut.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - 1 PDH Approved

Hydrology & Hydraulics for Bridge and Culvert Projects in New York State

by Tiphaine Ketch, PE, CFM and Krista Greer, PE, CFM

Abstract: This presentation will discuss the difference between hydrology and hydraulics; the basis, applicability, and limitations of different hydrologic methods; an overview of hydrologic models and software; data sources for projects in New York State; bridge and culvert hydraulic principles.; applicability of HEC-RAS and HY-8 hydraulic models; the requirements for projects located in FEMA Special Flood Hazard areas; NYSDOT bridge and culvert requirements; and NYSDEC requirements for sizing culverts and bridges.

Biographies: Tiphaine Ketch, PE, CFM, is a Water Resources Engineer with JM Davidson Engineering, DPC. She is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (BS, Civil Engineering) and the University of Notre Dame (MS, Civil Engineering - Structural). Ms. Ketch began her 19-year career as a structural engineer performing bridge inspections as well as bridge and culvert design. It wasn’t long before she was swept away into the Water Resources group. She has provided hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling for over 60 bridge and culvert replacement projects and has reviewed 80+ H&H reports prepared by other consultants on behalf of a state agency. As a Certified Floodplain Manager, she has extensive experience in FEMA floodplain requirements for projects located within special flood hazard areas. She has prepared multiple Letters of Map Revision and No-Rise analyses for state, municipal, and private clients. Her passion for floodplain analysis and background in structural engineering has led to a greater understanding of water-structure interaction.

Krista Greer, PE, CFM is a Water Resources Engineer with JM Davidson Engineering, DPC. She earned her BS in Civil Engineering from Penn State University and an MS in Civil Engineering, focusing on hydrology, hydraulics, and sediment transport from Virginia Tech. During her 17 year career, she has worked on a variety of water resources engineering projects in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions..  Her experience includes stream, floodplain and ecosystem restoration; stormwater management design and assessment; hydraulic modeling for riverine, floodplain, bridge/culvert, and storm drain systems; sediment and erosion control design and SWPPP preparation; as well as development of hydraulic profiles for wastewater treatment facilities.  In addition to engineering design and modeling abilities, she is also knowledgeable in environmental permitting regulations related to environmental and water related projects at the state and federal levels.

Zoom links will be emailed to you around the 9th and your link is unique to you only (Note that the email subject says ZOOM). Be sure to check your spam folders as we find many companies block emails coming from our website because it is from Canada which is international. You may want to use your personal email when signing up for these courses.