Fines Accumulation and Distribution in a Storm-Water Rain Garden Nine Years Postconstruction
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 12
Abstract
Storm water control measures (SCMs), also known as best management practices (BMPs), such as rain gardens, are designed to infiltrate storm-water runoff and reduce pollutant transport to surface waters. The life span of these SCMs may be limited depending on the composition of sediments in runoff water. Settling of fine sediments may clog soil pore spaces, reducing the infiltration capacity of the soil and reducing the potential benefits of this SCM. A study was conducted on a Villanova campus rain garden that accepts runoff from an adjacent parking lot to determine if there was a relationship between the accumulation of fine sediments over time and the infiltration capacity. The soil textural profile within the rain garden was characterized prior to SCM installation (2001), after installation, after five years, and after seven years of receiving storm-water runoff. Infiltration data were collected by the single-ring infiltrometer method in 2006 and 2009. Differences in soil texture were found between locations within the infiltration basin, and accumulation of fines smaller than 0.1 mm was observed at both locations sampled in 2009. Infiltration rates were significantly different between the two locations measured within the rain garden, but infiltration rates did not change significantly over time within those regions. This SCM was designed at a 10:1 watershed to SCM area ratio, which is twice what is recommended by the PA DEP BMP Manual. The data collected over the seven years since installation indicate that while fines have accumulated in the SCM there has been no significant change in infiltration potential.
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Acknowledgments
This study was partially funded by EPA 319 Program and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Program. The writers would also like to thank Clay Emerson, Keisha Isaac-Ricketts, and Kathryn Greising for their work on this project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 12 • December 2010
Pages: 862 - 869
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 15, 2009
Accepted: May 1, 2010
Published online: May 11, 2010
Published in print: Dec 2010
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