Flooding caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and severe storms can create long-term damage to buildings and infrastructure in a city. Floodwaters can also affect public health by bringing sediment, debris, and other pollutants into people’s homes and businesses. At a smaller scale, more frequent rain events generate stormwater that can be managed for stormwater quality and to help reduce peak runoff during larger storm events like 100-year storms. These systems must be designed for both smaller and larger storms and can be designed to reduce pollutants and mimic natural systems at the same time, providing multiple benefits to a community.
Nature-based stormwater infrastructure like retention basins, infiltration systems, bioretention basins, and vegetative swales can help mitigate flood damage by slowing down and treating the stormwater before it arrives at receiving waters, reducing the peak flood elevation and helping to minimize flooding of buildings, critical infrastructure, and evacuation routes during larger storms.
Constructing and maintaining stormwater infrastructure that can withstand the extremely high waters of named storms can assist with community safety in the wake of natural disasters and minimize repair costs.
3 Tips For Resilient Stormwater Systems
Resiliency measures can range from large-scale mapping, planning, and construction projects to small-scale efforts to manage stormwater quantities. These stormwater improvements can also be an opportunity to focus on water quality by including features that can clean floodwater of pollutants and debris. Here are some tips for creating a resilient stormwater system:
- Identify weak spots in the current system – Identify areas where stormwater infrastructure needs attention, especially near roadways, and determine how much detention is needed for the system to work properly.
- Prioritize projects based on need – Create project plans based on the identified needs and apply for the appropriate funding, such as the FEMA BRIC grant program.
- Implement best management practices – Determine which type of stormwater solution, whether it’s bioswales, retention basins, or other infrastructure, will be the best fit for each location in a community. Once constructed, creating and implementing a maintenance plan will ensure the system is continually working properly.
Nature-based stormwater systems, such as wetlands, ponds, and bioswales, can also provide ecosystem benefits and public beautification along with stormwater management.
Making Sense Of Stormwater
Davey Resource Group (DRG) has decades of experience creating and implementing stormwater management plans, from environmental planning, GIS mapping, permitting, and regulatory reporting to construction, maintenance, and compliance.
Contact your local DRG team to learn more about our stormwater management and compliance services.
Article Contributors:
Bob Kerr, Director, Hampton Roads Division, WSSI
Christian Preziosi, Regional Operations Manager, Davey Resource Group Wilmington North Carolina
