Hydrologic Performance of Watershed-Scale Low-Impact Development in a High-Intensity Rainfall Region
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper evaluates watershed-scale hydrologic performance of low-impact development (LID) features at two catchments in the Houston, Texas, region. White Oak Bayou is a traditional urban watershed that is frequently plagued with flooding. In contrast, The Woodlands is a master-planned suburban community designed to preserve its natural hydrology by implementing large-scale conservation features. The objectives of this study are threefold: (1) to propose a method to simulate small-scale infiltration-based LID features over a large area by using a distributed hydrologic model; (2) to quantify the cumulative hydrologic responses of watershedwide LID implementation; and (3) to compare the flood reduction potential between two distinct LID strategies (conservation LID and retrofit LID). Conservation (master-planned) LID integrates large-scale features (e.g., riparian buffers and swales) early in a watershed’s development, whereas retrofit LID implements site-scale features (e.g., green roofs and rain gardens) after the watershed has been fully developed. The results of this study demonstrate varying degrees of flood reduction (i.e., peak discharge and runoff volume) at the watershed outlets with respect to different LID features and rainfall events. The results also showed that although retrofitted watersheds could not quite match the hydrologic performances of master-planned watersheds, they could still enjoy the benefit of flood reduction during smaller storms.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center in Houston, Texas. In particular, the authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Baxter Vieux for his valuable inputs in this study and to the members of the White Oak Bayou Association (WOBA) and the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) 5 for providing background information and support for this research.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 4 • April 2017
Copyright
©2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 2, 2016
Accepted: Sep 8, 2016
Published online: Nov 22, 2016
Published in print: Apr 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Apr 22, 2017
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