Effect of Storm-Water Wetlands and Wet Ponds on Runoff Temperature in Trout Sensitive Waters
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 9
Abstract
With increasing development in areas of trout sensitive waters, the effect of urban storm-water runoff temperature on the aquatic ecosystem has become a concern. A study was conducted in western North Carolina, along the southeastern extent of U.S. trout populations, to determine the effect of storm-water wetlands and wet ponds on the temperature of urban storm-water runoff. Measurements included temperature at the inlets, outlets, and at several depths within the best management practices (BMPs). Parking lot runoff temperatures were significantly higher than the temperature threshold for trout during peak summer months and water temperatures consistently increased from the inlet to the outlet in the storm-water wetland and wet pond, implicating these BMPs as sources of thermal pollution. Despite similar inflow temperatures, effluent temperatures from the wet pond were significantly warmer than those from the storm-water wetland for the period from June to September. Substantial cooling was observed as runoff was conveyed from the parking surface to the BMPs through buried pipes, which could be incorporated into BMP design to achieve thermal pollution mitigation goals. Temperatures at the bottom of the water columns were cooler than water leaving the current outlet structures, providing support for the installation of modified outlet structures in regions with cold water fisheries.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), Division of Water Quality. The writers would like to thank Jonathan Smith, Dan Willits, Garry Grabow, Aziz Amoozegar, Jon Calabria, Allen Caldwell, Eric Caldwell, Seth Nagy, and Jason Zink, all of whom are currently or formerly of NC State University, for their assistance in selecting research sites and support throughout the project.
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© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 3, 2009
Accepted: Jan 10, 2010
Published online: Jan 25, 2010
Published in print: Sep 2010
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