Andy Reese reports that he has been repeatedly reminded of the black box nature of urban stormwater hydrologic design, and the often minimal level of understanding of many designers. The article points out some of the methodologies that can be used to obtain any number of “correct” answers.
“It helps to look back to understand how we got to here. In 2000, DFO released Urban Stormwater Guidelines and Best Management Practices for Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat. It got practitioners thinking about how to capture rainfall in order to reduce runoff volume and protect water quality,” stated Corinio Salomi. DFO had concerns about how the DFO Guidelines were being interpreted and applied (by consultants); and these concerns were addressed by the Beyond the Guidebook Initiative.
“Volume-based criteria can only be rightly developed by understanding the long-term flux of water volume; and the only way to accurately do this is through well-constructed continuous simulation modeling that accounts for drying processes between storms,” writes Andy Reese.
Nelson Jatel (120p) – OBWB Watershed Stewardship Director
The goal of this workshop is to share positive and innovative developments in rainwater management and to discuss how barriers to change are being overcome in communities in B.C. and beyond.
“The cultural change is actually happening. I think we’re at a tipping point right now in terms of cultural changes. I’m not talking about the entire population obviously. I’m talking about those who have some influence in terms of local government and the way we do business,” said Kim Stephens
Jim Dumont (120p)
Once one removes the Tower of Babel by going back to basics and examining the physical processes, there are only two processes in play: rainfall infiltration and runoff excess.
Jacky Grimshaw (120p)
Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago
Green Infrastructure creates healthier, more vital communities, protects clean water, saves money and energy, and helps to create green jobs.
“It was both timely and relevant that on the same day at the Bowker Forum, the UVIC Environmental Law Clinic released Re-Inventing Rainwater Management. The day forced us to ‘think watershed’ and transcend jurisdictional boundaries. The politicians are listening. Geoff Young, CRD Chairman, stated that ‘cross boundary problems make managing rainwater more difficult, but some of the ideas they have put forward are ones we have started talking about’,” stated Eric Bonham.
“These new ‘smart’ rainwater management practices can solve the problems associated with urban stormwater runoff. The green revolution in rainwater management gives us pragmatic and cost-effective ways to make a better community for our grandchildren,” states Deborah Curran.
The scope of work enabled assessment of natural stream sections and development of an erosion index for watershed scenario comparison and development of mitigation methodologies. “A principal result of increased volumes and rates of flow associated with urbanization is the consequent increase in stream erosion,” stated Jim Dumont. “This can be an economically important factor as maintenance and hydraulic capacity is affected, and it can also be an ecologically important factor as habitat is impaired through degradation, aggregation and increased suspended solids transport.”
