Stormwater Master Plan - Highland, IN

The Town of Highland Board of Sanitary Commissioners retained NIES Engineering, Inc. to prepare a master plan of stormwater system improvements required to address existing stormwater drainage problems and allow for future development of remaining undeveloped land areas.

The master plan involves updating existing stormwater control ordinances to coordinate more closely with Lake County Stormwater Control Ordinances. The project started with obtaining improved mapping including a regional coordination effort to obtain GIS maps of the Town showing one-foot contour intervals, as well as planimetric features such as roads, sidewalks, homes, garages and driveways. Existing storm sewer atlas maps in AUTOCAD were then updated based on field survey data and recent improvement drawings. Existing stormwater drainage systems in the known problem areas are being analyzed using the HYDROCAD Version 5.11 computer software program and TR-20 unit hydrograph procedures to determine stormwater runoff. Alternative stormwater improvements, such as stormwater relief sewers or detention facilities, are then evaluated based on performance and cost. Similar procedures are used to size storm sewers and detention facilities in undeveloped areas.

The Master Plan project includes coordination with Lake County in a regional approach to cleaning and widening regulated waterways as well as reviewing opportunities for increasing on-stream storage detention of stormwater. Some of the identified improvements involve enhancements to drainage waterways, such as the Cady Marsh Ditch and Spring Ditch, within the Town of Highland.

Town of Highland, Indiana Standby Power Engine-Generators

The number of Highland’s sanitary pump stations had grown to nine. A severe storm knocked out electrical power in four stations at once in the middle of the night. Public Works got out the portable engine-generator and traveled from station to station during the storm; plugging in, lowering the wet well level, unplugging and moving to the next station.

For improved safety and reliability, the Town decided to install permanent engine-generation equipment at six critical locations. NIES Engineering provided engineering services for the installation of five natural gas fueled engine-generators ranging in size from 35KW to 100KW, and one 600KW diesel fueled unit.

Several installations were located adjacent to residences. To be a good neighbor, the Town approved sound attenuation systems and special landscaping. Sound attenuation systems included insulation material, cooling air baffling and critical grade engine exhaust silencers. Sound attenuation systems achieved noise reductions to 69 decibels on 100KW units and to 75 decibels on the 600KW unit.

Additional features included a secondary standby power connection for the portable engine-generator, a general engine-generator failure alarm, automatic transfer to generator power upon normal power failure, automatic exercising of the engine-generator, and optional bidding for extending equipment warranty to 5 years or 1500 hours of operation.

The Town of Highland now enjoys the security of permanent standby power for their sanitary pump stations, and their Public Works Department has one less thing to worry about during a storm.

Flood Drain - Wicker Memorial Park, North Township, Highland, IN

Wicker Memorial Park in Highland, Indiana, had been experiencing problems with flooding created by the lack of an adequate storm water outfall. Township Staff had to setup and monitor a storm water pump during wet weather which resulted in additional staff hours on nights and weekends to tend to the pumps.

North Township brought in NIES Engineering, Inc., to develop a cost effective way to drain the park. Existing culverts that had been plugged were rehabilitated by installing smaller diameter PVC pipe through the culverts and installing duck-bill check valves to prevent water from flooding back into the park. Additionally a structure was installed in the northern most pond to regulate the water elevation in the pond and in the other connected ponds.

The installation of the culvert liners and check valves has greatly reduced the man hours dedicated to setting up and monitoring the stormwater pumps. The pond control structure maintains a constant water level in the golf course ponds making them more appealing and less work to maintain.

Key Points

• Cost Effective Solution
• Reduced Over Time Costs
• Improved Drainage

Bike Path - Town of Highland, IN

As part of the nationwide intermodal surface transportation initiative, the Town of Highland, Indiana, entered into a joint venture with the Indiana Department of Transportation for construction of a 2.6-mile bicycle path through town.

The project involved constructing a paved asphalt bike path that spans the Town of Highland along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The project also entailed concrete flatwork, site drainage, landscaping, and traffic signals.

Throughout construction, NIES Engineering provided construction services reporting directly to INDOT, and meeting their rigorous standards for material quantities accounting. NIES Engineering also worked to coordinate efforts between the Town of Highland and the Department of Transportation, and directed construction materials testing for quality assurance.

NIES is proud to work with the Town of Highland as they join their neighbors in a region-wide effort to create a continuous bike trail across Hammond, Highland, Griffith, Schererville, Crown Point, and other area communities.

The Highland segment of the completed bike trail is an excellent recreational addition to the community that the people of Highland will be able to take advantage of for years to come.

Key Points

• Versatility
• Long-Term Planning
• Community Focus