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CHAPTER 17: STORMWATER
Citation:
SHUSTER, W. D., T. FLETCHER, AND A. DELETIC. CHAPTER 17: STORMWATER. ISBN-10: 0415453445, Chapter 17, Tim Fletcher, Ana Deletic (ed.), Data Requirements for Integrated Urban Water Management. Urban Water Series. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, , ., (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
The process of urbanization causes significant changes to the hydrologic regime of catchments through increased impervious areas (roads, roofs, etc) and alterations to the natural drainage network. Some examples of urbanization processes include: increasing surface area of road networks; increased connectivity between impervious area and rivers and stream via pipes (Walsh, et. al., 2005); fragmentation and drainage of wetlands; decreasing drainage capacity through the reduction of area in floodplains by development; and channelization and engineered water exchanges among major surface water components. Increased hydraulic efficiency in urban catchments can diminish capacity for infiltration of precipitation, with shorter times of concentration, increased runoff, greater flood peaks, and may in some instances due to decreased infiltration lower the recharge of water tables (Terstriep et al 1976; Sheeder et al. 2002).