Stormwater Detention Facilities Research Articles

A Stochastic Pollutant Load Model for the Design of Stormwater Detention Facilities

A set of equations dependent on specified pollutant trap efficiency for computing storage capacity-treatment rate combinations of a stormwater detention system is provided. The equations are expressed in terms of the statistics of the runoff event variables: mean depth, duration, and interevent time. The hydrologic random variables are assumed to be independent and exponentially distributed. A mass balance equation is derived for the detention unit based on a first-order pollutant load model. With the aid of statistical derived distribution techniques, an expression for the expected pollutant washoff load is derived, which is further used to develop analytical storage/treatment isoquants for specified levels of pollutant trap efficiency. The isoquants are defined in terms of the design storage capacity, the treatment rate, the pollutant trap efficiency, and the runoff process statistics. A further extension of the model allows the derivation of equations for the estimation of the settling efficiency of pollutants of stored stormwater. The estimators for storage capacity-treatment rate are obtained from closed form expressions that, in addition, yield lower and upper bound estimates of the design variables. Illustrative examples using data for catchments in Minneapolis and Denver are provided.

Design Efficiency of Stormwater Detention Basins

In addition to increased flood runoff, urban development has caused a significant increase in sediment loads in streams. While many means of sediment and runoff control have been proposed, stormwater detention has been shown to be one of the more cost efficient means. Because detention facilities have not been used extensively in the past, a data base is not available for determining the effect of design factors on sediment trap efficiency and runoff control characteristics. A mathematical model, which includes erosion, sedimentation, and detention facility components, was developed from principles of hydraulics and classical settling mechanics. The model was used to examine the effect of: (1)Detention basin location; (2)soil particle size distribution; (3)basin depth; (4)initial storage, and (5)orifice diameter. An understanding of the relative importance of these factors may lead to better design of stormwater detention facilities.