Rainwater/Stormwater Infiltration in Clay Soils: A case study in the North Carolina Piedmont
In the January-February 2009 issue of Stormwater magazine, writer Christopher Estes presents monitoring data for three sites in the North Carolina Piedmont that demonstrate the success of rainwater/stormwater infiltation in clay soils.
“The first project, Wilmore Walk, is two years old and presents monitoring data of retention and infiltration rates over a period of one year. The second project, Jetton Street Condominiums, presents monitoring data for a project that was planned, designed, and modeled as a low-impact development project,” write Estes.
“Also included in this article are monitoring data from an undeveloped site adjacent to Six Mile Creek that contains high clay soils in the hydrologic soil groups C and D, to illustrate natural infiltration rates in difficult soils.” continues Estes.
To read the complete story, click on a case study in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Wilmore Walk: Infiltration in Porous Pavement
“The data from Wilmore Walk demonstrate the infiltration performance of a basin located under a pervious concrete parking lot, as well as the infiltration potential of 
bioretention rain gardens in a high-density residential project,” writes Estes.
“This example provides validation of the concept of a low-impact stormwater project in the urban landscape, demonstrates the successful use of pervious concrete, and quantifies design criteria for clay soil infiltration,” he concludes.
Six Mile Creek: Infiltration in Natural Preserve
According to Christopher Estes, the data collected for the Six Mile Creek project provide an example of natural infiltration in difficult clay soils at an undeveloped site. The intent of this data is to illustrate natural infiltration conditions in a worst-case scenario.
Acknowledgment:
Before STORMWATER, The Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals, there was no single publication written specifically for the professional involved with surface water quality issues, protection, projects, and programs.
Posted January 2009