Innovative Materials for the Protection of Overflow Earthen Weir Structures in the Sensitive Headwaters of the Everglades System
Includes a Live Web Event on 2025/11/12 at 1:00 PM (MST)
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Innovative Materials for the Protection of Overflow Earthen Weir Structures in the Sensitive Headwaters of the Everglades System
DATE and TIME: 12th November 2025 | 1:00PM MT
Adam Pierce, Engineering Business Manager, Solmax
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live
This south-central Florida case study examines the construction and protection of 40 different overflow weirs designed to reduce hydraulic stresses as the flow enters a series of culverts conveying water to the other side of a containment roadway berm that parallels the Kissimmee River basin. Protection of the weirs is critical to the performance of the structures themselves and the stabilization of the unpaved roadway berm. Specified with 8-inch concrete blankets, the project engineer revised the weir protection measures to a high-performance turf reinforcement mat (HTPRM) coupled with 3-foot-long engineered earth anchors with flexible tendons for a permanent tie down connection. This presentation will discuss the environmental benefits gained by switching from a traditional solution to a nature-based engineered solution, including but not limited to a reduction in carbon footprint, promotion of vegetation carbon sequestration, improved water quality and groundwater recharge, all at a reduced cost. A driving concern, with respect to material selection for this project, was improving water quality to the downstream Everglades system, the largest tropical wilderness in North America, which has also been recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Where and how these materials are being utilized continues to evolve as they are stabilizing and protecting infrastructure in ways that TRMs and HPTRMs have not before. It is important to continue long-term monitoring and inspection of these types of projects to evaluate their effectiveness and provide better guidance on the threshold of where these materials are appropriate. This discussion will also include innovations in the manufacturing and design of these materials, something many people are unaware of.
Learning Outcomes:
- Knowledge of recent HPTRM manufacturing innovations regarding design life and fire retardance.
- Awareness of new applications where these materials are being utilized.
- Reminder that all projects need to be followed up on to evaluate effectiveness and understand lessons learned from all perspectives including owner, contractor, manager, practitioner, or citizen.
Adam Pierce
Engineering Business Manager
Solmax
Adam Pierce is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) with over 20 years of industry experience. He currently serves as an Engineering Business Manager at Solmax. Adam holds a Master of Science in Watershed Science from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with minors in Geology and Small Business Leadership from Brevard College.
Adam began his career as a land survey technician before joining Hydrau-Tech in Colorado and later DOWL in Montana, where he worked as a watershed hydrologist. His responsibilities included hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, as well as the design of surface, stormwater and riverine infrastructure. His clients included state Departments of Transportation, municipalities, and private coal combustion facilities.
Throughout his career, Adam has successfully led numerous water resource engineering projects, with a focus on stormwater design, river modeling, mapping, utility development, and energy infrastructure.
As a technical representative for Solmax, Adam’s extensive knowledge of water resources within the civil engineering industry continues to support the advancement of geosynthetic solutions for erosion control and slope stability.
Additionally, Adam is the Board President of WaterWays, a non-profit organization that leads community action to restore clean water and protect local ecosystems in the Tennessee River Valley and the throughout the Caribbean.
This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.
IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards. We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.
