UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 1 Research Projects

Project No.: CY1-OSU-UARK-01
Title: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for Climate Resilient Culverts
Performing Institutions: Oklahoma State University and University of Arkansas
Principal Investigators: Jaime Schussler, Oklahoma State University; Norb Delatte, Oklahoma State University; Andrew Braham, University of Arkansas
Start and Anticipated Completion Dates: 10/1/2023-9/30/2024
Abstract: Culvert design must consider structural design, hydraulic design, environmental and site consideration, joint performance, and service life. The design service lives (DSL) of culverts range between 15-20 years; however, most U.S. DOTs DSL are currently 50-75 years. Climate change has resulted in increased storm frequency and intensity, leading to increased stormwater runoff and sediment yields; however, the rigidity of the culverts has not allowed the conveyance to adapt. Downstream implications include flooding, washouts, and damages leading to costly emergency repairs. This has altered stream behavior and disproportionately affected aquatic species. Research in the Northwest has shown that culverts disrupt natural movement patterns, which impact local ecosystems. The main objective of this research is to identify culvert characteristics that lead to vulnerability under climate change and develop nature-based solutions (NBS) for culverts through partnerships.

The following study tasks are proposed to meet the above objective: Task 1: engaging the Oklahoma and Arkansas DOTs to determine current practices in culvert design, inspection, and maintenance and facilitate data sharing amongst stakeholders; Task 2: creating Excel and GIS databases with the collected culvert data that includes attribute data such as installation year, location, application (e.g., stream crossing, drainage channel), culvert material, size, and design flow, as available; Task 3: conducting site visits to verify the information in the databases and assess the feasibility for NBS in the catchment; Task 4: developing a vulnerability framework and risk prioritization tool; Task 5: creating fact sheets on potential NBS and resources for retrofitting existing culverts; and Task 6: final reporting and recommendations for future work. The anticipated outputs of this project include: (a) GIS and Excel databases of culverts in Oklahoma and Arkansas; (b) framework to categorize culvert risk under climate change; (c) Excel-based tool to prioritize culvert maintenance and NBS; (d) fact sheets on culvert maintenance, replacement, and cost-sharing opportunities for upstream alternatives that prioritize NBS to improve culvert resilience under climate, and (e) LTAP/ TTAP course on NBS culvert resilience. The developed databases will serve as centralized repositories of information on existing culverts in Oklahoma and Arkansas that can be easily expanded into additional jurisdictions. Framework and prioritization tools will allow culvert vulnerability to be assessed according to a unified metric. The developed databases and tools will equip transportation planners to make well-informed decisions related to NBS for culvert resiliency.
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