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Title: Reducing Stormwater Runoff Through Land Suitability Analysis and Low-impact Subdivision Design

Author
item WANG, XINHAO - UNIV. OF CINCINNATI
item SHUSTER, WILLIAM - USEPA
item BUCHBERGER, STEVEN - UNIV. OF CINCINNATI
item Bonta, James - Jim
item PAL, CHANDRIMA - UNIV. OF CINCINNATI
item AVADHANULA, KIRAN KUMAR - UNIV. OF CINCINNATI

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2006
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This presentation describes an approach to reduce the anticipated increase in stormwater runoff from conventional development by demonstrating a low-impact design that incorporates hydrologic factors into an expanded land suitability analysis. This methodology was applied to a 3-ha experimental watershed in Coshocton OH, USA. Estimated total runoff volume and peak runoff rates from the site were calculated with the TR-55 model applied to landscape conditions set in natural, conventional subdivision, and low-impact subdivision designs. The low-impact suburban landscape design accounted for hydrologic attributes to locate suitable land areas, then applied low-impact development planning practices to preserve open space while maintaining the same number of dwellings as the conventional scenario. Conventional development increased runoff depth by 70, and by over 100 percent for peak discharge, such that the runoff depth expected to occur on average every five years under natural conditions would occur on average every two years after conventional development. In contrast, runoff produced from low-impact development was only 20 and 35 percent greater for runoff depth and peak discharge, respectively, than natural conditions. Our approach and promising simulation results suggest that low-impact designs based on an enhanced suitability analysis can minimize runoff volume and peak discharges.