From the “Other Interesting Stuff” category, a pretty amazing display of a slope failure in Tennessee.
Archive for the ‘Other Interesting Stuff’ Category
Rockslide!
November 12, 2009Baltimore Waterkeeper Trash Bash
September 17, 2009
The Annual Baltimore Waterkeeper Trash bash is this Saturday at Nick’s Cafe in Baltimore. Last year it was a blast and they are cranking it up this year even more. Should be quite the party! Come join us!
More info at: http://www.baltimorewaterkeeper.org/events/upcoming-events/
The Value of Geotechnical Engineering
July 31, 2009Unbelievable accident in Shanghai illustrates the value of having a geotech on the design and construction team.
Link to full story with more photos: Entire New 13-Story Building Tips Over
ShanghaiWashington DC Vac Photo
July 23, 2009Our vac crew got a little artsy in DC yesterday…
Water in the Southwest
May 10, 2009
After visiting the Scottsdale area recently, we were struck by the incredible development and population in an area that has very little water. Irrigated golf courses everywhere? Really? While we’re sure it has been considered a marvel of engineering and mankind’s triumph over nature to be able to support such infrastructure in the middle of the desert, in the terms of this millennium’s trends (ie sustainablilty), it seems quite bizarre. That we are from the wet east coast no doubt plays into this observation.
Nonetheless, the following article points out the challenges of over-development in arid areas and the folly in some water politics. That rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse is illegal in some areas illustrates the crazy misguided politics. Seems to be pretty much the opposite of sustainability at the most basic level.
Lake Mead Is Drying Up | GOOD.
Arid dwellers, do comment to share your perspective.
Plastic shopping bags suck… why not ban them?
March 28, 2009
Plastic Bags Suck.
When we maintain stormwater management systems one of the most common things we find are plastic shopping bags. The amount of bags that are in stormwater systems, and therefore streams and the natural environment is amazing.
Our friends at the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper pose the question – why not ban them? Especially if they can ban them in Mexico City. Read Eliza’s post : Mexico City bans plastic bags… why can’t Baltimore? | Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper.
Further surfing finds quite a few others pondering the question. Here is something from Portland… and there are many more out there….
- Will the US Government ban plastic shopping bags?
- Politicians Rethink Plastic Bag Tax Due to Recession
- San Francisco Bans Plastic Bags
- The Patron Saint of Plastic Bags
Maybe a federal move makes sense. Hello? President Obama? How’s that new EPA shaping up?
Shopping Bags in an Underground SWM Facility
Happy New Year, TVA. Looks like 2009 is going to be a doooozeee for y’all.
December 31, 2008We suspect it is only the beginning to the outrage taking place…
2008 dam failure debacle continues. TVA showing their true colors – the opposite of green.
December 31, 2008The dam failure of 2008 is evolving into an environmental debacle. TVA seems to be showing its true colors – which appear to be the opposite of green. We have to wonder where the EPA is as TVA permits continuing pollution to occur. Grey blood in the river….
Appalachian Voices and the Waterkeeper Alliance have paddled up to the site – check the video:
Maintenance of Stormwater BMPs | stormh2o.com
December 30, 2008Stormwater Mag has a new article on SWM Maintenance. Maintenance of Stormwater BMPs | stormh2o.com. Much to be said on this topic…. It is amazing that millions (billions???) of dollars of infrastructure goes in the ground and a small portion of it is maintained. … which results in increased pollution. It is the hidden pollution source of stormwater. Of course, we are a bit jaded, ’cause SWMaintenance is one of the things we do.
Coolest Soil Erosion in NoVa
December 22, 2008Our Stormwater Maintenance inspection crew happened upon this slope erosion in a stormwater management retention facility in Northern Virginia last month:
Nothing spectacular…. just another gully… with some neat autumn foliage….
Until the zoom into the material that was eroding. That’s about the coolest soil profile I’ve seen in awhile. Amazing what nature has hidden for us out there….
