Time-lapse photo of a rainfall-induced runoff event at an edge-of-field surface site near Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 10-11, 2016. Edge-of-field monitoring is used to assess the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Particle-size distribution from urban land use and source areas
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By Upper Midwest Water Science Center
March 18, 2019
Many control options for sediments and associated contaminants in storm-water runoff from urban areas rely on settling of solids. This study characterizes particle-size distributions in urban storm-water runoff from specific source areas and land-use categories, with the hopes of assisting watershed managers and engineers design better control devices for reducing sediment in urban runoff.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Problem
Sediments in storm-water runoff from urban areas and contaminants associated with these sediments are a substantial source of contamination to receiving waters and associated toxic effects to aquatic organisms.
Treatment options for urban storm water should include specific plans to target sediment as the primary source of contamination to receiving streams. Watershed managers in urban areas need information to help choose the most effective means to reduce sediment-associated contaminants in urban runoff.
Numerous structural best-management practices (BMPs) provide some level of sediment control and are readily available. However, since many of these devices rely on settling of solids, their effectiveness is largely dependent on the range of particle sizes in storm-water runoff. In order to select the most appropriate BMP for sediment control, characterization of particles found in storm-water runoff becomes increasingly important.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to address the first step in providing watershed managers with the information needed to make decisions on treatment options: to characterize particle-size distributions in urban storm-water runoff from specific source areas and land-use categories. This information will be used to assist watershed managers and engineers in designing the most appropriate control device for reduction of sediment in urban storm- water runoff. Additionally, data collected from this study will be used to improve understanding on the uncertainty of measuring sediment in stormwater through the collection, preparation, and analytical reporting process. Furthermore, data will be used to improve the Source Loading and Management Model for Windows (WinSLAMM) data tables with particle-size distribution curves for specific source areas and land uses.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Approach
This study will characterize particle-size distribution in stormwater runoff for several urban land use and source area categories. Flow-weighted water quality samples will be collected by use of autosamplers at locations representing urban source areas (e.g. roof tops, streets, and parking lots) and land uses (e.g. shopping center and strip mall). Sites are chosen based on dominance in the urban landscape and the lack of data available to characterize particle-size distribution.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
WinSLAMM (Source Loading And Management Model): An urban area nonpoint source water-quality model for Wisconsin
The WinSLAMM model is used to identify sources of pollutants in urban stormwater runoff and to evaluate management alternatives for reducing pollutants. USGS studies provide stormwater flow and pollutant-concentration data for calibrating and verifying WinSLAMM for use in Wisconsin.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Time-Lapse of Edge-of-Field Event Near Fort Wayne, IN
Time-lapse photo of a rainfall-induced runoff event at an edge-of-field surface site near Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 10-11, 2016. Edge-of-field monitoring is used to assess the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Many control options for sediments and associated contaminants in storm-water runoff from urban areas rely on settling of solids. This study characterizes particle-size distributions in urban storm-water runoff from specific source areas and land-use categories, with the hopes of assisting watershed managers and engineers design better control devices for reducing sediment in urban runoff.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Problem
Sediments in storm-water runoff from urban areas and contaminants associated with these sediments are a substantial source of contamination to receiving waters and associated toxic effects to aquatic organisms.
Treatment options for urban storm water should include specific plans to target sediment as the primary source of contamination to receiving streams. Watershed managers in urban areas need information to help choose the most effective means to reduce sediment-associated contaminants in urban runoff.
Numerous structural best-management practices (BMPs) provide some level of sediment control and are readily available. However, since many of these devices rely on settling of solids, their effectiveness is largely dependent on the range of particle sizes in storm-water runoff. In order to select the most appropriate BMP for sediment control, characterization of particles found in storm-water runoff becomes increasingly important.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to address the first step in providing watershed managers with the information needed to make decisions on treatment options: to characterize particle-size distributions in urban storm-water runoff from specific source areas and land-use categories. This information will be used to assist watershed managers and engineers in designing the most appropriate control device for reduction of sediment in urban storm- water runoff. Additionally, data collected from this study will be used to improve understanding on the uncertainty of measuring sediment in stormwater through the collection, preparation, and analytical reporting process. Furthermore, data will be used to improve the Source Loading and Management Model for Windows (WinSLAMM) data tables with particle-size distribution curves for specific source areas and land uses.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Approach
This study will characterize particle-size distribution in stormwater runoff for several urban land use and source area categories. Flow-weighted water quality samples will be collected by use of autosamplers at locations representing urban source areas (e.g. roof tops, streets, and parking lots) and land uses (e.g. shopping center and strip mall). Sites are chosen based on dominance in the urban landscape and the lack of data available to characterize particle-size distribution.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
WinSLAMM (Source Loading And Management Model): An urban area nonpoint source water-quality model for Wisconsin
The WinSLAMM model is used to identify sources of pollutants in urban stormwater runoff and to evaluate management alternatives for reducing pollutants. USGS studies provide stormwater flow and pollutant-concentration data for calibrating and verifying WinSLAMM for use in Wisconsin.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Time-Lapse of Edge-of-Field Event Near Fort Wayne, IN
Time-lapse photo of a rainfall-induced runoff event at an edge-of-field surface site near Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 10-11, 2016. Edge-of-field monitoring is used to assess the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Time-lapse photo of a rainfall-induced runoff event at an edge-of-field surface site near Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 10-11, 2016. Edge-of-field monitoring is used to assess the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.