Coastal Stormwater Management Through Green Infrastructure: A Handbook for Municipalities

Coastal Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure: A Handbook for Municipalities (Handbook) is designed to assist coastal municipalities within the Massachusetts Bays Program (MassBays) area to incorporate green infrastructure into their stormwater management planning as they respond to MS4 stormwater permit requirements, review development proposals, and retrofit existing municipal facilities and sites. The MassBays Program can assist those municipalities in using this Handbook to facilitate the use of green infrastructure and address stormwater runoff

Optimizing Low Impact Development Controls for Sustainable Urban Flood Risk Management

Increased urbanization and a changing climate are contributing to an increased urban flood risk. Low Impact Development (LID) is a green infrastructure approach to help mitigate this risk. Analysis of flooding potential and socioeconomic factors of an urban area are essential in determining how to best implement these controls. The objectives of the study was to identify the most prominent areas for LID implementation and develop a framework for identifying LID controls within a multiobjective optimization framework. Coupled risk assessment and socioeconomic analysis was used to determine the potential areas to implement LID controls to achieve continuous benefits. A risk assessment methodology was developed to delineate the greatest flooding risk areas in sewersheds. A socioeconomic analysis framework was then adapted to assess the areas that would be most likely to adopt and successfully maintain LID controls. A simulation-optimization framework was then developed by coupling Stormwater Management Model (SWMM 5) with the Borg Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA). This methodology analyzed different LID implementation solutions with a cost function to determine the most cost effective LID solutions. The PCSWMM interface was used to create the model for a large urban sewershed in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The model tested LID measures against eight different scenarios consisting of both historical climate data and future predicted climate change data with the objectives of reducing peak flows in the sewer system, reducing total runoff across the sewershed and minimizing the cost of LID implementation. The results provide stormwater management professionals and decision makers cost-benefit information for different LID implementation scenarios to help assess the feasibility of LID in this area and to make infrastructure investment decisions

Structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and hydrological effects modelling using swat for urban watershed

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Cristovao V.S. FernandesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Recursos Hídricos e Ambiental. Defesa : Curitiba, 15/03/2019Inclui referências: p. 128-141Resumo: As Best Management Practices (BMPs) têm sido usadas como solução para mitigação de condições de pós-desenvolvimento em bacias urbanas e rurais. Estes dispositivos regulam vazões e volumes, além de capturar poluentes do escoamento superficial usando vários mecanismos. Estes dispositivos têm sido estudados e seu uso disseminado em vários países. Concomitantemente, o melhoramento de modelos de transporte e destinação de constituintes para investigar os efeitos, algoritmos para otimizar a busca por locais ótimos de instalação e facilitação da avaliação de entradas e saídas trouxe à luz vários desafios no que tange a modelagem dos fenômenos, incluindo a seleção de escalas de dimensão e tempo adequadas à representação dos fenômenos. A revisão de literatura demonstra uma fronteira clara entre usar inputs massivos de dados e computação exaustiva em modelos para descrição detalhada dos processos ou a adoção de abordagens mais simplificadas que capturem áreas maiores a custos menores de levantamento de dados. Neste estudo o Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) é utilizado como solução harmônica para modelagem em bacias com usos do solo mistos. Para vencer os desafios acima citados, BMPs são tratadas como zonas de recarga, isto é, zonas com Números de Curva (CN) menores. A localização destes dispositivos no modelo é realizada utilizando critérios consolidados de viabilidade através de ferramentas já desenvolvidas. Quatro cenários de redução percentual são utilizados para avaliação das melhoras de fluxo nas escalas da Hydrological Response Unit (HRU), subbacia e curso do rio(reach): 10%, 30%, 50% e 70%. As mudanças foram avaliadas na escala diária e anual, usando aplicações desenvolvidas em Python para automatizar a parametrização do modelo e a entrada e saída de dados. O estudo foi bem-sucedido em conceber a geração de múltiplos cenários, assim como em produzir ferramentas que auxiliem a entrada e saída de dados. Os resultados demonstram que a criação de zonas de recarga é mais eficaz em regiões onde há mais capacidade de retenção do solo. Do contrário, a redução do escoamento superficial tende a chegar em um limite, a partir do qual não há mais roteamento do escoamento superficial. Em HRUs e subbacias onde as condições de solo são favoráveis, a dinâmica de roteamento superficial e subsuperficial é modificada, fazendo com que a recarga dos aquíferos aumente e as recessões sejam mais lentas. Em geral, não são visíveis efeitos na escala da subbacia e no curso principal do rio, uma vez que muito do escoamento superficial é roteado como escoamento lateral ou fluo de subsuperfície. Além disso, a superposição dos efeitos para o resto da bacia é muito pequena na escala diária. Palavras-chave: SWAT. Bacias Urbanas. Python. Best Management Practices Hidrologia.Abstract: Best Management Practice (BMP) devices have been employed as a solution for both agricultural and urban watershed post-development effect mitigation. These devices regulate flow and capture runoff pollutants using various mechanisms. Such devices have been studied and its use disseminated in several countries. Concurrently, the enhancement of pollutant fate and transport models to assess the effects, search for optimal locations and facilitate inputs has brought to light several challenges concerning the modelling of physical phenomena, especially the one related to selecting time and size scales for adequate representation. The literature revision demonstrates that a clear boundary between using massive data inputs and computation-exhaustive models for thorough process description or more simplified approaches that capture larger areas at a more affordable data cost has limited the comprehension and description of BMP hydrological processes at the subbasin and watershed scale. In this study, SWAT is used a harmonic solution for modelling mixed land-use watersheds. To overcome the challenges stated, BMPs are treated as recharge - lower Curve Number (CN) zones, in feasible scenarios generated using an pre-built-tool and consolidated feasibility topographic, hydrological and space-distribution features. Four scenarios were generated: 10, 30, 50 70% CN reductions were tested and evaluated at the daily HRU/subbasin and subbasin yearly average scales, using developed applications for automating the parameter change and Input/output operations. The study was successful in automating the BMP scenario generation and multiple scenario generation as well as output data analysis. Results show that the creation of recharge zones is more effective at regions where more soil storage is available. Otherwise, runoff reduction tends to reach a limit. In HRUs and subbasins where soil conditions are favorable, the entire soil water and groundwater flow dynamics is modified, causing aquifer recharge to increase on average and recessions to be slower. Generally, no effects can be noticed at the subbasin o reach scale, as much of the runoff is also routed either as lateral flow or groundwater flow. The superposition of such effects to the rest of the watershed results in small differences at the daily scale. Keywords: SWAT. Urban watersheds. Python. Best Management Practices. Hydrology

Pluvial Flood Risk Estimation Procedure for Small Urban Watersheds

Pluvial flooding, when runoff causes flooding before it reaches a body of water, is a type of flooding that often is overlooked in flood risk studies. This study outlines a general procedure that can be used to model urban pluvial flood scenarios, estimate damages, and quantify pluvial flood risk for microwatersheds (watersheds of a few square miles or less). The model development was accomplished using EPA's SWMM in combination with GIS datasets and analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed on many model inputs including runoff surface slope, imperviousness, infiltration parameters, and pipe roughness. The overall procedure was tested on a 215-acre sewershed in Washington, DC. The results indicate that pluvial flooding can have serious consequences, even in areas that are not close to existing bodies of water and are at relatively high elevations. The 10-, 100-, and 200-yr rainfall events modeled produced damage estimates of approximately $430,000,$904,000, and $1,093,000, respectively

Lighting Balloon Suitability Analysis: Singapore Grand Prix Case Study

Lighting balloons are increasingly being used to light up night activities, while providing a better aesthetic environment. Partex International in Singapore is the sole distributor of one such lighting balloon brand, called Airstar. Airstar lighting balloons have been used extensively for night related activities like events, construction work, rescue and movie sets. Partex was contracted to light up the circuit park of the Singapore Grand Prix F1 racing event with the Airstar lighting balloons. Due to the extent of coverage and lack of site information, Partex faced difficulty in finding the best positions to place their lighting balloons for optimum coverage. Hence, this project focused on creating GIS analyses tool that provide better placement solution for Partex. The two analyses covered in this project included: (1) a tool to find lighting priority zones based on Partex’s requirements; and (2) a tool that calculates total lighting coverage based on lux values of lighting balloons input by user. The end-product of the project included a web application with compiled tools and maps created by the project team for Partex’s easy access

Exploring new technologies for simulation and analysis of urban flooding

Eng.D ThesisRegulatory drivers, climate change and urbanisation put pressure on urban water managers to find sustainable solutions protecting people and properties from floods now and in the future. For this purpose flood model simulations and analysis are conducted to assess impacts of change on existing systems and to test options for adaptation. Recent developments in hydrodynamic models like CityCAT offer innovative concepts for effective and efficient integrated urban flood modelling. The application of new developments however is met by constraints related to the legacy of established modelling strategies, the modelling tools applied, data availability and the specific duties and responsibilities of stakeholders. The aim of this thesis is to explore new technologies for the simulation and analysis of urban flooding and outline a programme for delivering practical solutions for end-users which addresses these constraints. To address the important practical challenge of missing and inadequate data, a method for generating synthetic networks of storm drain inlets was developed and demonstrated. Tested in fully coupled CityCAT models to link the surface and sub-surface drainage domain, results have shown that synthetic networks of storm drain inlets provide satisfactory results compared with surveyed inlet networks. The results also highlight the sensitivity of the inlet drainage performance related to their location and elevation. Additionally, a generic, open-source flood exposure analysis tool was developed. Detailed hydrodynamic model results and exact building geometries are used to assess the potential internal flooding of buildings for entire cities. Newly developed mapping scripts combine exposure results with hydrodynamic model results to assess cause and consequence of floods. The third part of the thesis presents a strategic-level options appraisal highlighting the practical and financial benefits in relation to a potential industrial application of the new developments. With the availability of open architecture modelling software, this section demonstrates that the model building, simulation and analysis process can be optimised through the application of automated, generic algorithms and cloud computingScottish Water and EPSRC for co-funding

Analysis of LID Implementation to Combat Flooding and Erosion at the University of Arkansas Campus

The city of Fayetteville, Arkansas has experienced rapid urbanization throughout recent years as it continues to grow. Within the city, the University of Arkansas has been constantly expanding, with increased impervious surfaces as more parking lots and facilities are built. This has caused issues including flooding and stream bank erosion, specifically in Mullins Creek, which receives runoff from a large part of campus. A portion of the creek was restored, but there are still downstream issues. Low Impact Development (LID) is a type of green infrastructure that has been shown to decrease runoff and increase infiltration. EPA SWMM, a hydrologic modeling software, was used to analyze the effectiveness of implementing LID at Lot 56, adjacent to Mullins Creek. Two layouts were developed: the condensed layout with 5 bioretention cells, and the dispersed layout with 29 cells. The results for both layouts showed significant decrease in runoff and increase in infiltration. With the ideology of Volume Based Hydrology, it can be assumed that the decrease in runoff will also cause a decrease in pollutant loads, and a decrease in erosion and flooding downstream. The implementation of LID at Lot 56, combined with LID implementation throughout the drainage area, can be an effective way to combat downstream erosion and flooding issues at Mullins Creek