Stormwater Planning

[Rod123]

Hi.

I work for municipal government in Ottawa, Canada. We are commencing preparation of a "stormwater management planning guideline" to direct land developers in preparing high level studies supporting land development. Basically, how to move from a subwatershed study through to a stormwater management master plan ensuring that all bases have been covered.

I am looking for tips of web available examples. Has anyone recently prepared such a guideline, or use an existing guideline as a frequent reference?

Thanks.

 

[RWF7437]

http://www.gradingandexcavation.com/sw_0607_voodoo.html

See also, PDHOnline.org Eclectic Hydrology.

Also PLEASE, assign some experienced people to develop your standards and have them peer reviewed.

good luck

 

[TerryScan]

You may want to contact others who have implemented a stormwater management master plan. Here is one I recall hearing about that has been in place for some time:

http://www.novaregion.org/fourmilerun.htm

 

[PBroad]

Hi Rod

I generaly use Centre for Watershed protection (

http://www.cwp.org).

However, Ontario Professional Engineers have a "how-to-write a water report guideline" in the works, with the intention of expanding this into other areas. You did not say if you are a P.Eng or not but I suggest that as you are in Ottawa you could interface with PSC so that it gets some additional circulation and teeth.

If you have problems or don't know how to proceed contact Denis Dixon at ddixon@netrover.com he's been around the block both with Government and PEO as a Councillor at large.

 

[queque]

The City of Scottsdale, Az has recently revised their Drainage Manual. They refer to it as "Design Standards & Policies Manual". It is on their web site.

 

[sammyk]

Take a look at Kane County, Illinois they have a decent manual that will give you some good items to incorporate. Also DuPage County, Illinois has very good special management sections, which should give you some ideas. Good Luck!

 

[RWF7437]

Caution.

Some responders here seem to believe that a Master Plan is the same thing as a set of design standards. They are not the same , although each has a useful purpose.

good luck

 

[Rod123]

Thanks to all who have commented...very helpful. Yes, RWF7437 makes a good point which I am trying to work through. In my experience with stormwater management there are gaps between the high level planning of subwatershed studies, the content of master plans and the implementation of recommendations at the subdivision and site plan level. What I would like to create for Ottawa is not a guideline of the requirements of each level of study or a design guideline - there are lots of those around. Instead I would like my document to instruct how to get from one planning study level to the next. Those steps would make sure that the content at the higher level study is brought full force and expanded on in subsequent studies. Also, it would make sure that the well known eventual implementation requirements of stormwater management are anticipated right back to the watershed level study. Again, thanks for the input.

 

[TerryScan]

In the example I referenced, there is a computer model of the watershed for the master plan:
"The model contains an extremely precise, calibrated representation of all significant details which affect stream flows anywhere in the watershed. The physical watershed and the rainfall event are represented in detail through a long data file of model inputs. The model simulates ground cover, drainage path and type, infiltration, slope, and just about anything else that can affect stream flow. Armed with this information, model output is generated for different storm conditions, development patterns, or any other scenario of interest to planners and engineers.
The Four Mile Run Model provides NVRC's planners with information on how well the localities are complying with the federal mandate to ensure the effectiveness of the federal Flood Control Channel built by the Army Corps of Engineers. NVRC's computer model contains enough detail to provide accurate hydrographs for over 200 channel and pipe segments in the watershed. Over the years, its accuracy has been extensively calibrated and verified."

It is my understanding that; whenever a land use change is proposed, one must furnish new data for the area in question for evaluation in the model. The agency itself makes the model edits and runs the master model (one pays a fee for the agency to do this analysis.) The land use change approval is based on complying with the master plan goals.