Michael Ports’ education, experience, ability to perform critical analysis and articulate results make him a sought-after expert witness. His years of planning, analysis, design, and construction experience in a broad spectrum of water resources engineering applications give him credibility beyond the ordinary lay person. He is well respected in the field, is fully licensed, certified, trained and honored.

Currently, Michael is performing a critical evaluation of the design, operation, and maintenance for portions of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District wastewater collection system. The evaluation includes field reconnaissance of the neighborhoods that experienced sewer backups, hydrologic analyses of the significant flood events of 2008 and 2010, and critical review of the wastewater collection system operation during the events.

Michael performed the critical evaluation of the design and operation of the two pumped drainage systems at New Roads, Louisiana during Hurricane Gustav in September 2008 that are the subject of the suit Toussaint Battley, Sr. vs. Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury, et al. The investigation included field reconnaissance of the 100-acre catchment, data collection, literature review, and detailed hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and analyses.

Michael performed a hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analysis for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, et al v. United States litigation. The plaintiffs claim that the design and operation of the Oahe Dam and Reservoir on the main stem of the Missouri River has adversely affected the cattle ranching operations along the Moreau River and floodplain and that the prolonged flooding and resulting sediment deposition from the 1997 Flood were the direct result of the design and construction of the dam and reservoir. The analysis included a field reconnaissance, data collection, literature review, flood frequency analysis, sediment transport analysis, and water surface profile computations.

Michael also worked on the Ruche J. Marino, et al vs. Parish of St. Charles, Louisiana litigation concerning the flood of April 25, 2004 in Norco, Louisiana. The plaintiffs alleged that the Parish was negligent in its planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the drainage system and that their negligence caused the subject flooding. Michael prepared a hydrologic and hydraulic engineering evaluation of the causes of the subject flooding and the operation and maintenance of the subject drainage system. His evaluation includes a field reconnaissance of the Norco catchment area; office review of the available records, documents, reports, maps, and photographs; technical literature review; hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses; and, critical review of the Plaintiff’s claims.

Recently, Michael performed a critical review of the hydrologic and hydraulic design elements associated with the site drainage and combined sewer relocation of the residential condominium development named the Lofts at the Park I & II in Atlanta, Georgia. Working with one of the defendants, Michael provided expert testimony on the standard of care for site drainage and combined sewer relocation design and construction.

Previously, Michael performed a critical evaluation of the hydrologic and hydraulic engineering aspects of the design, operation, and maintenance of the Upper Mississippi River Navigation System for the U. S. Department of Justice. The system consists of 29 locks and dams on the mainstream of the Mississippi River extending from St. Paul, Minnesota to St. Louis, Missouri, a total distance of 857.6 miles. The evaluation included the critical review of the navigation system regulation and operation, effects of wing dams, erosion on river levees, seepage under and through river levees, maintenance dredging operations, and the need for river levees.

Also recently, Michael served as an expert for the City of West Des Moines, Iowa, Department of Public Works to determine whether two residential subdivisions and one commercial development met the City floodplain and storm drainage design criteria.

Michael performed the analysis of the hydrologic impacts from the construction, operation, and maintenance of oil pipelines, tank battery, docking facilities, and access roads on the runoff quality and quantity for the 140-acre Moseley Tract on Avery Island, Iberia Parish, Louisiana.

Michael performed the statistical analysis and computer simulation of the April 6-7, 1983 storm event in order to determine the extent and causes of the resultant flooding experienced within the levee system in the Lower Coast Algiers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses included extensive field reconnaissance and surveys, review of operational and maintenance records, damage assessments, and remediation recommendations.

For a different client in a different court, Michael performed the statistical analysis and computer simulation of the May 1978 and April 1983 storm events in order to determine the extent and causes of the resultant flooding experienced within the Chalmette levee system in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

Michael performed the statistical analysis and computer simulation of the May 1978, April 1980, and April 1983 storm events in order to determine the extent and causes of the resultant flooding within the Harahan neighborhood in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. His evaluation included extensive field reconnaissance, hydrologic analysis and modeling, hydraulic engineering analysis and modeling, review of construction practices, review of drainage system operation and maintenance, and flood damage assessments.