The Office of Hydraulic Engineering has been given the responsibility of the oversight of all aspects of highway drainage. This includes all bridges, prefabricated cross-drains, storm sewers, open water carriers (ditches), pavement drainage systems, sanitary sewers, water works, and permanent stormwater BMPs.
In addition, the office develops and maintains the Location & Design Manual, Volume 2 - Drainage Design. This manual is the primary source of information for personnel involved in drainage design for the Ohio DOT. It is intended to provide uniform procedures for implementing drainage design decisions and assure quality and continuity in drainage of highways in Ohio.
The office is active in research activities and members of the section sit on various TRB, NCHRP, AASHTO and ASTM committees.