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A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO MITIGATING URBAN STORM WATER RUNOFF VIA DEVELOPMENT PLANS BASED ON LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
Citation:
SHUSTER, W. D., C. PAL, X. WANG, K. AVADHANULA, AND J. BONTA. A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO MITIGATING URBAN STORM WATER RUNOFF VIA DEVELOPMENT PLANS BASED ON LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS. Presented at U. of Cin., College of Engineering, Civil Environmental Eng. Dept. Colloquium/Seminar Series, Cincinnati, OH, October 06, 2006.
Description:
We advocate an approach to reduce the anticipated increase in stormwater runoff from conventional development by demonstrating a low-impact development that incorporates hydrologic factors into an expanded land suitability analysis. This methodology was applied to a 3 hectare experimental watershed in Ohio, USA. Estimated volume and peak runoff values for the site were calculated with TR-55 methods applied to landscape conditions set in natural, conventional subdivision, and low-impact subdivision design. A novel integrated suburban landscape design accounted for landscape hydrologic attributes to determine suitable land mass, then applied low-impact development planning practices to preserve open space while maintaining the same number of dwellings as the conventional scenario. We found that the runoff depth that would be expected to occur on average every five years under natural conditions would occur on average every two years after conventional development. However, for development implemented according to the low-impact approach, runoff response relative to the natural condition is decreased and overall improved upon over the conventional development scenario. Our approach and promising simulation results call for more widespread implementation of practical tests of landscape hydrologic response to creative, low-impact designs that are based on an enhanced suitability analysis.