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Changes in event-based streamflow magnitude and timing after suburban development with infiltration-based stormwater
Kristina G Hopkins1, Aditi S Bhaskar2, Sean A Woznicki3,4
1U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center Raleigh NC USA.
Hydrological Processes
|February 18, 2020
Summary
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) using infiltration-focused stormwater control measures (SCMs) effectively mitigated peak flows and runoff volumes in urban watersheds. Watershed-scale GSI implementation shows promise for managing urban streamflow despite increased imperviousness.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) implementation in urban areas is widespread, yet its effectiveness on streamflow response remains under-evaluated.
- Suburban development significantly alters watershed hydrology, increasing impervious cover and runoff.
- Understanding the impact of different stormwater control measures (SCMs) is crucial for effective urban watershed management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of infiltration-focused GSI on streamflow response in urbanizing watersheds.
- To compare the hydrologic impacts of different SCM types (infiltration vs. detention) at a watershed scale.
- To evaluate the influence of impervious cover and SCM density on streamflow metrics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a before-after-control-reference-impact (BACRI) design with 14 years of sub-daily streamflow and precipitation data.
- Analyzed event-based streamflow metrics including peak flow, runoff yield, and time to peak.
- Compared two urban treatment watersheds with high-density infiltration SCMs against a forested control and an urban control with detention SCMs.
Main Results:
- Urbanization altered streamflow magnitude and timing in treatment watersheds, even with 100% impervious area coverage by SCMs.
- Infiltration-focused SCMs mitigated peak flows and runoff volumes more effectively than detention-focused SCMs, especially for smaller precipitation events.
- Impervious cover differences between urban watersheds were a larger driver of streamflow response than SCM density.
Conclusions:
- Watershed-scale, infiltration-focused GSI provides enhanced attenuation of peak flow and runoff volumes compared to centralized detention.
- GSI implementation can effectively manage streamflow alterations caused by urbanization.
- Further research should focus on optimizing GSI design and placement for maximum hydrologic benefit.
Keywords:
MarylandUSAUrbanizationbest management practicegreen infrastructurehydrograph analysisrainfall‐runoff responsestormwaterMore Related Videos
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