At the beginning of 2020, two teams from Cleveland State University competed against fellow engineers from Case Western Reserve and Kent State University in the Ohio Water Environmental Association Student Design Competition. One of CSU’s teams, titled “Changing Tides,” placed second in the competition.

Teams in the competition were presented with a problem by Doug Dietzel, environmental manager for the City of Lorain. CSU’s teams were tasked with finding a solution to the continual flooding problem in Martin Run, located in Lorain County.

“I feel I have developed a better understanding of just how complex real world problems can be especially when the public is being affected by the problem first-hand,” said team member Sam Harbol.

Team Changing Tides, a joint team from the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies programs, created a plan to address the flooding that included policy initiatives that promote stormwater sensitive urban development as well as physical interventions to reduce backups at the mouth of the run, to ensure consistent flow.

After the competition, Doug Dietzel asked Team Changing Tides for their report so he can present it to the City of Lorain. Additionally, the team was invited to attend a statewide meeting in September.

“It afforded me a rare opportunity where I was able apply what I learned in class and through my personal research to a project in real time,” added team member Martin Maratani.