DRAINAGE DESIGN CASE STUDY:

The installation of 16 JET Filter 4-inch open-end 316 stainless steel maintainable drains at the Deep Creek Culvert in Middletown, Delaware, restored drainage functionality, reduced soil loss, and improved long-term structural integrity.

The Deep Creek Culvert in Middletown, Delaware, is a DelDOT drainage project that presented a significant challenge for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). This aging infrastructure suffered from severe bridge culvert drainage issues, leading to damage, erosion, and degradation. Without proper drainage, hydrostatic pressure buildup behind the culvert walls could compromise the structure’s stability, necessitating immediate intervention.

To address these risks, DelDOT pursued an innovative and maintainable drainage solution to restore the culvert erosion control, performance, and longevity effectively. 

To mitigate drainage failure, the project included transportation drainage solutions such as:
✅ Drilling 16 new weep holes, each 26 inches deep.
✅ Installing 16 JET Filter 4-inch open-end maintainable drains.
✅ Using Mirafi® Filter-Weave FW 300 geotextile media to prevent clogging and soil migration.

These stainless steel maintainable drainage components offer 200% more surface area than traditional weep holes, effectively managing water flow, preventing soil loss, and reducing hydrostatic pressure behind the culvert walls.

With an impressive drainage rate of 2.5 gallons per minute per unit, this solution ensured optimal water filtration and long-term maintenance accessibility while safeguarding the structure.

Mumford and Miller Concrete Inc. led the installation process, emphasizing strict compliance with industry best practices and ensuring a durable, long-term drainage improvement for DelDOT.