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Stream Hydrology and Water Quality Impacts of Contrasting Urban Stormwater Mitigation Strategies: Centralized Versus Distributed
Citation:
Loperfido, J., G. Noe, T. Jarnagin, AND D. Hogan. Stream Hydrology and Water Quality Impacts of Contrasting Urban Stormwater Mitigation Strategies: Centralized Versus Distributed. Presented at Department of Geology Seminar Series, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, September 06, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
To disseminate information about the BMP research using Clarksburg data
Description:
Urban land cover is commonly associated with degraded stream habitat including flashier hydrology, increased pollutant export, and lower ecological health , collectively termed “urban stream syndrome.” Pollutant export from urban areas can also contribute to water quality issues in downstream receiving bodies like eutrophic and hypoxic conditions present in the Chesapeake Bay. Urban runoff is typically treated by stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs); however, the relative effects of implementation strategy (i.e. centralized versus distributed placement of BMPs in a watershed) on treatment efficacy remain unknown. As distributed treatment of stormwater runoff becomes increasingly commonplace, empirical performance data will be critical in enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions on how to implement effective stormwater mitigation strategies. This study provides results from a paired-catchment analysis of areas implemented with spatially centralized and distributed stormwater BMPs. GIS mapping of the study areas and analysis of stormwater BMPs plans reveals differences in the spatial pattern, connectivity, and extent of BMP implementation; insight into BMP design standards; and differences in land cover patterns. The impacts of stormwater management strategy and land cover on stream hydrology and water quality are also discussed. This includes: discharge response to individual storms, baseflow and stormflow contributions to total discharge, and phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment response during storm events. Results from this work could be incorporated by decision makers to effectively allocate resources to simultaneously incorporate stormwater management into urban design, curtail urban stream syndrome, and help protect downstream water resources.