Stormwater Control Measures Performance: Predicting Behavior under Climate Change Using Historical Data

As climate change impacts accelerate, the characteristics (frequency, depth, intensity) of rainfall events are expected to become more intense and volatile. This study seeks to use historical data to examine stormwater control measures’ (SCMs’) ability to remove common pollutants during high intensity/depth storm events. This study examines bioretention and grassed swales, due to their prevalence within stormwater systems, varying susceptibility to scour, and depth of data available. Pollutant and rainfall depth data was extracted from the International Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Database. Percent removal as a function of rainfall depth was then calculated. Findings suggest that assumed correlations between pollutants could be inaccurate under expected conditions. Findings also suggest that scour becomes concerning in SCMs that do not contain standing water or have a ponding depth to still water. Future work includes further analyzing assumed correlations between pollutants, expanding SCM types to further investigate effects of scour, and exploring percent removal as related to rainfall intensity.