First-in-Alabama Project Wins Gulf Guardian Award

A Thompson Engineering project that manages storm water runoff with an environmentally-progressive approach is the recipient of a prestigious environmental award, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf Guardian award. Representatives from Thompson and project partner Mobile Bay National Estuary Program accepted the award for the Joe’s Branch Step Pool Storm Conveyance system at a ceremony in Corpus Christi, Texas Thursday night.

“The project is important for several reasons, including that it solved major erosion problems in Spanish Fort and improved water quality downstream,” said Senior Vice President Emery Baya. “It also required commitment and partnership from a large number of agencies and that is an equally remarkable aspect.” The project was awarded a 1st place Partnership award. Other organizations involved in the project are: Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA), City of Daphne, City of Spanish Fort and Westminster Village Retirement Community.

Thompson’s Step Pool Storm Conveyance system manages storm water, solved erosion problems and restored a stream in Spanish Fort, Alabama. The project site, a stream in Joe’s Branch, flows into D’Olive Bay and eventually Mobile Bay. Before the step pool system was designed and implemented, erosion was threatening to impact drivers on adjacent Highway 31 and residential structures of nearby Westminster Village.

Thompson led the design and construction of the system, which is the first-of-its-kind in Alabama. “Engineers are always learning and looking for new ways to create solutions that benefit our environment, so it was a special honor to be recognized by the EPA for protecting the Gulf of Mexico.” To read more about the project, click here. To watch a video produced for the Gulf Guardian awards, click here.