Our Approach
Straughan provided support to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for a wetland restoration project at Henderson Dike and Marsh in the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, PA. This restoration project will establish improved tidal connectivity and flushing through the excavation and expansion of a series of channels and pools. The project includes approximately 10 acres of restored wetland/channels within the 56-acre dredge cell on Darby Creek currently surrounded by Henderson Dike.
Straughan provided field assessment, water level monitoring, and two-dimensional hydraulic modeling using SRH-2D in support of a design alternatives analysis and selection of final restoration design. In support of this effort, our team developed 3D grading models of existing and proposed conditions based on the proposed wetland channel alignment. The two-dimensional model simulated the existing conditions and two proposed alternative designs for the site and characterized the extent of tidal inundation, velocity, and depth. Our team prepared video animations of each design scenario and colorized mapping of the results. These visualizations offered clear feedback to USFWS to select and finalize a preferred design alternative.
