Water

Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation

City of Atlanta, GA

While with Q-B Engineering, Collaborative Senior Engineer Gilbert Quinones conducted a range of civil engineering services for the City of Atlanta’s Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation Project. The project called for the remediation and reconstruction of a 32-acre wetland along Perry Creek in Fayette County, as mitigation for wetlands disturbed by construction of the fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Gilbert prepared layout and grading plans, an erosion and sediment control plan, an NPDES plan, a storm water management report, a boundary and topographic survey and hydrologic modeling in compliance with Corps of Engineers and FEMA criteria.

Since opening to the public in September 2008, Sams Lake has attracted many visitors—both human and wild. Beaver have constructed two dams. Other residents include: wild turkeys, egrets, heron, hawks, deer, muskrat and even a bold armadillo who greeted a delighted visitor. Amenities at the preserve include an easy half mile mulched trail around the borders of the wetlands and three observation decks for wildlife viewing. A series of low dikes manage the water level to provide four shallow pond areas. Small islands provide habitat for nesting birds. As the water level stabilizes and native plants mature, the bird sanctuary will draw migrating and nesting birds and other wildlife, providing an opportunity to experience nature “up close and personal.”