Keywords

stormwater, GVSU, GIS, Geographic Information Systems, Rain Gardens, Green Roofs, Permeable Pavement

Disciplines

Natural Resources Management and Policy

Mentor

Dr. Peter Wampler

Abstract

Low impact development is an alternative to traditional urban design with the goal of reducing the amount of stormwater runoff generated from impermeable surfaces. Increased stormwater runoff can mobilize surface pollutants such as oil, road salt, and heavy metals, as well as accelerate the erosion and slope destabilization near natural waterways. Green infrastructure such as rain gardens and green roofs have been shown to remediate these pollutants and reduce the peak discharge of stormwater during storm events. This study evaluates the current stormwater management practices on the Allendale Campus of Grand Valley State University as well as provides management suggestions for the implementation of additional green infrastructure. Geographic information system (GIS) software was used to determine the land use types of two areas of interest in the campus and provide estimates of the peak discharge rate during a 25-year 24-hour rain event. The peak discharge of four stormwater management scenarios was estimated for the northern area of interest based on current conditions, and the implementation of rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable parking lots. The peak discharge for current conditions is estimated to be 4.76 m3/sec or 168.14 cfs (Table 1). The highest reduction in peak discharge occurred in the permeable parking lot scenario with a total reduction of 22.37% (Table 1).

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