“Florida Specifier” recently published an article by WSP’s Crissy Mehle that spotlights how urban streams are suffering from years of degradation, pollution and flooding resulting in a situation known as urban stream syndrome. Unchecked development near streams often leads to erosion, flooding and overall stream decline.
The situation can be severe, but Mehle offers an outline for hope with steps that local agencies and communities can begin to take to help reverse urban stream syndrome and bring nature back:
- Developing a strategic conservation plan
- Reviewing and updating local ordinances to include protectional provisions
- Planning and designing solutions to rejuvenate urban streams
- Educating communities on the steps they can take to support positive outcomes
- Implementing various low-impact design techniques to build a functional and low impact stream channel
“Our goal isn't just to rebuild streams for today, but to create resilient systems that will serve communities for years to come,” said Crissy Mehle, Florida water lead, WSP.
