Seasonal Performance Variations for Storm-Water Management Systems in Cold Climate Conditions
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 3
Abstract
Lack of widespread adoption of low-impact development (LID) designs in northern climates is in large part due to concerns about poor winter performance relating to (1) frozen filter media; and (2) dormant biological functions. An examination of six varied LID designs, in contrast with conventional best-management practices (BMPs) and manufactured systems illustrated that seasonal functionality was evident for many systems; however, the LID designs were consistently top storm water management performers. The designs were tested and monitored for cold climate performance from 2004–2006 to assess: filter media frost penetration, hydraulic efficiency, and seasonal variations of contaminant removal efficiency. LID systems evaluated included: two types of bioretention systems, a surface sand filter, a subsurface gravel wetland, a street tree, and porous asphalt. The LID performance data were contrasted with conventional structural BMPs (swales, retention pond) and some select manufactured storm-water systems (hydrodynamic separators); (3) a filtration system, and a subsurface infiltration system. Seasonal performance evaluations indicate that LID filtration designs differ minimally from summer to winter, while smaller systems dependent largely on particle settling time demonstrated a marked winter performance decline.
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Acknowledgments
UNHSC is housed within the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at UNH in Durham, N. H. Funding for the program was provided by the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 3 • March 2009
Pages: 128 - 137
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 20, 2007
Accepted: Sep 23, 2008
Published online: Mar 1, 2009
Published in print: Mar 2009
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