As climate change intensifies, cities face increasingly unpredictable and severe storm events. Traditional stormwater systems—built for a different time—are under strain, driving a critical shift toward sustainable, adaptive infrastructure.
In this Q&A, Civil Engineer Sara McGaugh shares how stormwater capture, low impact development (LID), and best management practices (BMPs) are being reimagined for a climate-resilient future.
How does climate change play a role in stormwater infrastructure planning?
“Climate change is fundamentally reshaping how we approach stormwater infrastructure design. One of the reasons I pursued this field was to contribute to climate solutions. We’re seeing more frequent and intense precipitation events, prolonged droughts, and shifting seasonal patterns—conditions that traditional systems were not built to handle.
Today, we integrate climate projections and scenario modeling into our planning to ensure systems are resilient to future conditions, not just current ones. This means designing for larger storm events, implementing scalable infrastructure, and using green solutions that offer benefits beyond just stormwater management.”
Can you describe a project where climate adaptation significantly influenced the design or implementation of stormwater systems?
“A standout project was a conceptual design report for the Triangle Area in Marina del Rey where we developed three alternative BMP designs to address water quality challenges in the watershed. The site presented several challenges, including limited space for Best Management Practices (BMPs) and a high groundwater table, making infiltration infeasible. To address these constraints, we expanded our scope upstream within the watershed and identified an opportunity to implement a multi-benefit solution that integrated sustainability, climate resilience, and water quality improvements. We proposed redesigning an elementary school playground by replacing impervious surfaces with bark and native plantings and integrating biofiltration planters and a flow-through treatment system to meet water quality goals. This approach not only overcame technical constraints but also delivered broader community benefits—cooler play areas, improved water quality, and enhanced climate resilience—demonstrating how school-based infrastructure can serve as a scalable model across Los Angeles.”
How do you balance short-term performance with long-term adaptability?
“Collaboration is imperative to every project. Engaging diverse perspectives during design leads to more innovative and durable solutions. Each project presents unique challenges, so we focus on systems that perform well today but remain flexible for future needs.
We apply adaptive management principles, design with modular components that can be easily modified, and include monitoring systems to guide future improvements. It’s about building infrastructure that can evolve—rather than locking into a fixed solution that may become outdated.”
What role do you see emerging technologies playing in the future of stormwater management?
“As urban areas grow and face the challenges of climate uncertainty, maintaining aging traditional stormwater infrastructure and expanding Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) will become increasingly complex. One of the most promising trends in stormwater management is the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data technologies to support maintenance, inspection, and planning efforts.
GIS technology offers transformative benefits for stormwater projects by enabling precise mapping of drainage networks, watershed boundaries, and flood-prone areas. This spatial approach allows managers to visualize infrastructure conditions, identify maintenance priorities, and optimize the placement of new GSI installations based on topography, soil conditions, and urban development patterns. The combination of real-time spatial data and advanced analytics enhances our ability to predict flood risks, track pollution sources across watersheds, and make data-driven decisions about where investments will have the greatest impact. GIS platforms also facilitate better coordination between departments and stakeholders by providing a shared visual framework for understanding complex stormwater systems.”
Why are you proud to be a Cordobian?
“Cordoba is a company that truly cares—about its people, whom they celebrate, inspire, and provide opportunities for growth; about the quality of services they provide to clients, and about the future of the communities where their projects are located. This commitment to both people and purpose empowers us to tackle complex challenges like climate adaptation while building fulfilling careers and making a difference.”
Background of the Interviewee:
Sara McGaugh brings over seven years of experience in stormwater management, drainage design, and low impact development (LID) implementation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and a master’s in civil engineering from San Diego State University. Outside of work, she serves on the board of Women’s Transportation Seminar San Diego (WTS-SD) and actively conducts outreach to middle and high school students to inspire the next generation STEM leaders.
