flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Hardscape from development makes ‘1,000-year’ flood in Maryland worse

Codes and Standards

Hardscape from development makes ‘1,000-year’ flood in Maryland worse

Impermeable concrete made it easier for water to overwhelm drainage system.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 14, 2018

Ellicott City, Maryland suffered its second damaging “1,000-year” flood in two years last month.

The city is in a vulnerable location at the foot of a hill where river branches meet the Patapsco River. Another factor, a lot of impermeable concrete, exacerbated the flood.

Ellicott City has thrived in recent years with robust development. About one-third of the watershed that feeds into the historic community is now covered by roads, rooftops, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces.

Since the first major flood in 2016, the county has designed and engineered more stormwater retention facilities, but these projects will take time to implement. Across most of the U.S, impermeable surfaces make up just 1% percent of the land. In many cities, though, hardscapes account for 40% or more of the land area, leaving them vulnerable to floods.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015

AEC industry groups look to harmonize green building standards, codes

The USGBC, ASHRAE, ICC, IES, and AIA are collaborating on a single green code.

Codes and Standards | Mar 2, 2015

Nevada moves to suspend prevailing wage rules on school projects

The Nevada Senate approved a bill that would suspend prevailing wage rules on school projects.

Codes and Standards | Mar 2, 2015

Proposed energy standard for data centers, telecom buildings open for public comment

The intent of ASHRAE Standard 90.4P is to create a performance-based approach that would be more flexible and accommodating of innovative change.

Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2015

Louisiana officials critical of stricter building standards in flood-prone areas

Buildings would have to be built either two or three feet above the base flood elevation for a 100-year flood or above the base elevation for a 500-year flood. 

Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015

Buildings with rocking steel-braced frames are advantageous in earthquakes

Research at Case Western Reserve University has found that buildings that rock during an earthquake and return to plumb would withstand seismic shaking better than structural designs commonly used today in vulnerable zones of California and elsewhere.

Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015

USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing

LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.

Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2015

ASHRAE, USGBC, IES consider biomass requirements in green building standard

The proposal would add biomass to approved renewables.

Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2015

New Appraisal Institute form aids in analysis of green commercial building features

The Institute’s Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum offers a communication tool that lenders can use as part of the scope of work. 

Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2015

ASHRAE, IAQA approve consolidation

Under the consolidation, IAQA will become a part of the ASHRAE organization while maintaining its own brand and Board of Directors.

Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2015

Obama executive order requires federal construction projects to consider flood damage caused by climate change

To meet the new standard, builders must build two feet above the currently projected elevation for 100-year floods for most projects.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021