Detention basin retrofit: Optimization of water quality improvement and flood control

Keith B. Marcoon, Qizhong Guo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Retrofitting existing stormwater facilities is of critical importance to restoring impaired watersheds. Many existing storm water detention basins were designed solely for stormwater runoff peak discharge magnitude abatement or were under-designed for current water quality control standards. These basins can be retrofitted to trap additional amounts of non-point source pollutants. This study analyzed a detention basin in Morris Township, NJ as an example to demonstrate the tradeoff between water quality benefits and increases in flooding problems resulting from retrofit. As part of the first retrofit, an outlet structure with a small-diameter circular orifice at the bottom and a rectangular weir on the top was placed in front of the existing large diameter outlet pipe. Diameter of the orifice and height of the weir were variedduring hydraulic routing. Quantitative relationships were obtained between the increase in stormwater detention time (pollutant removal efficiency) for a defined, small, infrequent water quality storm and the maximum increase in peak outflow rate (flooding impact) for a full range of storms. It was found that beyond a specific weir height, the detention time no longer increased whereas the maximum peak outflow rate increased greatly. The longest detention time that could be achieved was also calculated for different orifice diameters. In addition, effect of different definitions of the water quality storm on the achievable detention time was quantified.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2004 World Water and Environmetal Resources Congress
Subtitle of host publicationCritical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management
EditorsG. Sehlke, D.F. Hayes, D.K. Stevens
Pages449-458
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2004
Event2004 World Water and Environmental Resources Congress: Critical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management - Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Duration: Jun 27 2004Jul 1 2004

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2004 World Water and Environmetal Resources Congress: Critical Transitions in Water and Environmetal Resources Management

Other

Other2004 World Water and Environmental Resources Congress: Critical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySalt Lake City, UT
Period6/27/047/1/04

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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