Project Overview:

Chronic drainage issues along a Florida roadway were alleviated by incorporating naturally-vegetated channels to prevent erosion, allow for higher stormwater volume and eliminate potential for flooding.

Project Problem:

Lake Drive in West Cocoa, Florida experienced chronic drainage issues that lead to flooding. Project engineers Bussen-Mayer Engineering Group, Inc. approached Presto’s Florida distributor R.H. Moore & Associates for erosion control ideas for a newly planned channel. The channel design consisted of box culverts and some open areas to allow for more volume to help alleviate the flooding potential.

Low-Impact Vegetated Channel Solution:

Options considered included gabions, articulating concrete block mats, fabric-formed concrete, and Presto’s GEOWEB vegetated channel system. The project required erosion protection, and the desire for natural aesthetics was key in choosing the GEOWEB system. The GEOWEB drainage channels consisted of reinforcing geogrid and 15,000 face sq ft of GEOWEB green-fascia wall panels. The installation was completed in six months by Masci Corporation.

Performance Results:

More than five years after the installation in late 2012, the GEOWEB channels are performing as intended—protecting the channel side slopes from erosion that previously limited stormwater volume and contributed to flooding while providing the desired natural vegetation. Flooding problems of the past on Lake Drive had been eliminated.