The Legends

Dan Lowe from Red Development joined Deb to talk about how large development projects, like The Legends at Village West in KCK go from concept to opening. He talked about the Unified Government, Kansas Speedway, the anchor stores (Cabela's and Nebraska Furniture Mart), and everything in between. Listen to the podcast.

Water Towers

Mike Odrowski, P.E. from TetraTech shared why we have water towers (pressure and capacity), where we site them, how complicated their foundations are (!), and how decorative some communities have made these parts of their infrastructure. Listen to the podcast.

UMKC + Chilean mine rescue

Andrew Schmitt is on the UMKC Board of Trustees - read newsletter article.

Brush Creek combined sewer improvements

Paul Anderson, P.E. from CDM joined Dr. Deb to discuss the planned sewer improvements for the KCMO portion of the Brush Creek basin. He discussed the proposed tunnel which will run under the creek bank and have its own high-rate treatment system which will discharge to the Blue River. He also discussed why one area will have the storm and sanitary lines separated, and why significant green solutions (rain gardens) are proposed in other areas. More details are laid out in the Overflow Control Plan, which was recently finalized. There was a production problem on the air date, and only the second half of the show was broadcast.

Stigall interview on Chilean rescue

Chris Stigall (KCMO Morning Show with Chris Stigall) interviewed Andrew Schmitt from Layne Christensen Company which is located in the Kansas City area. Layne Christensen drilled the large rescue tunnel. Since Chris' interview is so similar to those done on "Building Kansas City", Deb wanted to bring this to your attention. More good work done from Kansas City! Listen to the podcast.

Water Supply Security

Deb interviewed Dan Kroll from Hach Corp while at the ASCE EWRI conference in May 2010. Dan shared the vulnerability of US water supplies, and discussed the efficacy of preventative monitoring. A copy of Dan's book, Securing Our Water Supply: Protecting a Vulnerable Resource was given away during the show. Listen to the podcast.

Our favorite meteorologist returns

Andy Bailey from the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, MO joined Deb to discuss hail, since the Northland was ravaged by some giant hail a few weeks ago. Deb shared the upflow velocities needed for large hail formation, and Andy discussed the intercloud mechanics. This was much more in-depth than our TV meteorologists have time to share. Listen to the podcast.