Bioretention Hydrologic Performance in an Urban Stormwater Network
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 3
Abstract
Although many studies have evaluated the hydrologic effects of bioretention at the site-level, few have investigated the role bioretention plays when distributed throughout a watershed. This study aims to assess bioretention’s effects on an urbanized watershed in Blacksburg, Virginia by using two modeled scenarios: one where runoff from many land uses was routed through the practice, and another in which only runoff from large impervious areas was routed. Peak flows, volumes, and lag times from these models were compared to the watershed’s current and predeveloped conditions. Both scenarios provided reductions in peak flows with respect to existing conditions for modeled storm events, sometimes to levels below the predeveloped condition. Neither case was able to reduce volumes to predevelopment levels; the option to treat impervious areas had a negligible effect on runoff volume. Both cases were able to extend lag times from the existing development condition. On the basis of these results, bioretention appears to have the capability to improve watershed hydrologic characteristics. Furthermore, only treating impervious areas could be a viable alternative when funds or space are limiting factors.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 3 • March 2012
Pages: 431 - 436
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 26, 2010
Accepted: May 26, 2011
Published online: May 28, 2011
Published in print: Mar 1, 2012
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