Field Evaluation of Level Spreaders in the Piedmont of North Carolina

Level Spreaders are commonly used in combination with riparian buffers as a stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) in many parts of the United States. These systems have not been extensively studied in urban environments to determine if they can provide a long term water quality benefit. In winter 2005, 24 level spreaders were evaluated in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Detailed observations were made at 20 of these locations. The results of the study indicate that level spreaders may not be the versatile structure they are perceived to be. No level spreader — riparian buffer system was able to provide diffuse flow through the riparian buffer from the level spreader to the stream. Common causes for failure to maintain diffuse flow included: lack of maintenance (12 cases), poor design (11), riparian topography / content (11), level spreader lip not level (7), built with easily eroded materials (6), poor construction methods (3), and human interference (2). This field evaluation indicates that level spreader systems may need design revisions, construction guidance, and maintenance requirements before they continue to be used en masse.