Stormwater Management

Stormwater Management encompasses the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of systems that control rainfall runoff in developed areas. Impervious surfaces like roads, rooftops, and parking lots prevent natural infiltration, increasing runoff volume and velocity while carrying pollutants like oil, sediment, and nutrients into receiving waters. Effective stormwater management reduces flooding, prevents erosion, and protects water quality. GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation...-based hydrologic modeling delineates drainage basins, calculates runoff volumes using land cover and soil data, and routes flow through pipe networks and overland paths to identify flooding risks. Design tools size detention basins, bioswales, and pipe systems to manage specified storm events. Floodplain mapping identifies areas subject to inundation that require development restrictions or flood-proofing measures. Applications include municipal stormwater master plans, development site design, and green infrastructureGreen InfrastructureGreen Infrastructure uses natural and nature-based systems like rain gardens, urban forests, and permeable surfaces t... programs that use nature-based solutions like rain gardens, permeable pavement, and constructed wetlands to manage runoff. Climate adaptation planning uses updated rainfall projections to evaluate whether existing drainage systems can handle future storms. Regulatory compliance with Clean Water Act permits requires monitoring and managing stormwater discharges to protect waterways.