Stormwater GIS Project
A geographic information system (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.
In general, the term describes any information system that integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic information. GIS applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), analyze spatial information, edit data in maps, and present the results of all these operations.
The Town of Hebron, in the spring of 2017, partnered with McMahon Associates to develop our GIS system. The first step in any successful GIS system is to have an accurate inventory of all of our water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Before we started this project, the town did not have any complete mapping of any of our Stormwater infrastructure. Some of the storm sewer, in the older section of town, dates back to when the sanitary and storm were a combined system. Our best guess is early 1920’s or 1930’s. We have no maps of any kind of this section. Sections built from the 1970’s to date, we do have original maps, some are not accurate. Upgrades and extensions were not documented. Stormwater mapping has been most challenging for the town.
The first step was to inventory and identify all of the stormwater structures. We had some hand drawn maps that showed catch basins, so we had some idea of what was there. During the summer of 2018 the Town of Hebron and the Porter County Department of Development and Storm Water Management worked together and they had 2 summer interns spend several weeks in town. They did an asset inventory and evaluation of all of the storm water structures they found. They also used a GPS/GIS receiver to gather location data.
The data collected is being incorporated into the GIS system. Once we have an accurate map of the structures we can then develop the direction of flow map. Using video cameras, dyes and other means we should be able determine how the storm water flows.
GIS is not just a map, it’s a valuable tool for asset management. Applications can be developed for inspection of resources, like structures and pipes. Maintenance apps can also be developed. The Town of Hebron has just begun to explore how GIS can help us manage your storm water system.
