DESIGN MANUAL CHAPTER 9: Low Impact Development

9.0 LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................ 9-2

9.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 9-1 9.2 SITE ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................ 9-2
9.2.1 HYDROLOGY OF THE SITE .................................................................................................................................................9-2 9.2.2 MICROMANAGEMENT OF THE SITE....................................................................................................................................9-3 9.2.3 NONSTRUCTURAL SITE DESIGN ........................................................................................................................................9-3 9.2.4 MULTIFUNCTION LANDSCAPES .........................................................................................................................................9-3

9.3 HYDROLOGY ................................................................................................................................................... 9-4

9.3.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................9-4 9.3.2 LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................................9-5 9.3.3 ACCEPTABLE HYDROLOGIC EVALUATION TECHNIQUES ...................................................................................................9-6

9.4 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 9-6 9.5 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ........................................................................................................... 9-7 9.6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 9-7
TABLE 9-1 LOW IMPACT HYDROLOGIC DESIGN AND ANALYSIS COMPONENTS (COFFMAN, 2000)............................................9-2 FIGURE 9-1 BIORETENTION CELL ..............................................................................................................................................9-4 FIGURE 9-2 COMPARISON OF THE HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE OF CONVENTIONAL BMPS AND LID BMPS ....................................9-6

9.0 Low Impact Development

9.1 Introduction
Low Impact Development (LID) combines site planning, hydrology, and stormwater management techniques to aide in designing a site to simulate and/or improve the sites natural stormwater drainage. Many of the stormwater controls utilized in LID are currently used by the stormwater profession and include grassed swales, check dams, and infiltration trenches to name a few. The key component to implementing a successful LID site is using these stormwater controls collectively with sound engineering practices to improve water quality and reduce water quantity. This chapter will discuss four main components of LID; Analysis, Hydrology, Maintenance, Public Education and Outreach.

LID sites are increasing in popularity in the stormwater profession and in doing so these LID site are becoming an integral part of site development and redevelopment site design. The City of Griffin encourages the use of LID on projects where LID is feasible. Not only does designing the site with LID techniques improve the environment it also decreases a sites impervious area lowering the sites stormwater utility fee. The practice of using techniques has been successfully integrated into many municipal development codes and storm water management ordinances throughout the United States. Specifically, LID aims to: Preserve open space and minimize land disturbance; Protect natural systems and processes (drainage ways, vegetation, soils, sensitive areas); Reexamine the use and sizing of traditional site Provide infrastructure (lots, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks) and customize site design to each site; Incorporate natural site elements (wetlands, stream corridors, mature forests) as design elements Decentralize and micromanage storm water at its source
(Low Impact Development Center 2002)

Four components of hydrological analysis of an LID site are stormwater detention facilities, stormwater retention facilities, increasing the time of concentration, and lowering either the post-developed curve numbers or the run-off coefficient. Below are several LID practices and how these practices impact these components.

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Table 9-1 Low Impact Hydrologic Design and Analysis Components (Coffman, 2000) Low Impact Hydrologic Design and Analysis Components Lower PostDevelopment CN Increase Tc X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

LID Practice Flatten Slopes Increase Flow Path Increase Roughness Minimize Disturbances Flatten Slopes on Swale Infiltration Swales Vegetative Filter Strips Disconnected Impervious Areas Reduce Curb and Gutter Rain Barrels Rooftop Storage Bioretention Revegetation Vegetation Presentation

Retention

Detention

X X

X X X

X X X X X

X X

Low impact development is an important component of a sustainable stormwater management program. With this in mind, this chapter should be used for basic site analysis and design. Other manuals and sources of information for LID are available at the City of Griffin Stormwater Departments web page at www.griffinstrom.com . Design information on many of the LID practices discussed in this chapter can be found in Chapter 8 Water Quality.

9.2 Site Analysis

The first step in developing a LID is performing a site analysis. This is a critical phase of the implementation of a LID site. The analysis should include examining the hydrology of the site, micromanagement of the site, using nonstructural site design to convey stormwater, and multifunction landscapes. (Prince Georges County 1999). After it is determined that LID is appropriate for the site, the next step would be to schedule a meeting with the City of Griffin Stormwater department. This meeting will be a forum to assess the site and discuss the use of LID and water quality which would result from the LID site. Many of the LID concepts may help improve water quality and will be considered when calculating water quality requirement. LID structures and appurtenances will not be permitted within the road ROW.

9.2.1 Hydrology of the site

The most important step to creating a fully functioning LID site is to design the site in a way which the hydrology of the site mimics and/or is comparable to the natural state of the watershed prior to any development. With this in mind, the site should be developed

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to imitate natural conditions by lengthening the flow path of the stormwater and/or by reducing the curve number/runoff coefficient. For more information on the Hydrology of LID design see Section 9.3 in this chapter.

9.2.2 Micromanagement of the Site

Low impact development requires a micromanagement design philosophy. Breaking a site into many mircowatersheds allows the designer to manage several smaller systems instead of one large system. These microwatersheds help to control the stormwater runoff by reducing the flow closer to the point of origin and by possibly alleviating the need for a large detention area. Some micromanagement practices include; Rain Barrels Cisterns Bio-retention Areas Vegetated Swales Green Roofs Porous Pavements

All of these devices, BMP and many more like them can be used in a micromanagement style to make a LID site feasible.

9.2.3 Nonstructural Site Design

Traditionally, site design focuses on large drainage conveyance systems utilizing pipes and detention facilities. Through the use of nonstructural site design (ex. vegetated swales, areas of disconnect) the time of concentration and the curve number/runoff coefficient can be reduced. Utilizing nonstructural site design also reduces the use of typical engineering materials such as concrete and metals. By using more natural materials such as soils, plants and vegetation, the site design can be integrated into the natural site design and the designed landscaping.

9.2.4 Multifunction Landscapes

Multifunction landscapes are an effective way to promote an LID site. Generally, the landscaped areas consist of native plants, grasses, and soils to help promote water quality and help reduce stormwater runoff. These landscaped areas are functional, easily maintained and are esthetically pleasing. The multifunctional landscaped areas are not limited to islands and green space areas, these landscaped areas can be green roofs, green parking lots, and many other components of site design.

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The bioretention cell in Figure 9-1 is perhaps the best example of a multifunctional landscape and illustrates a number of functions. First, the tree canopy provides interception and ecological, hydrologic, and habitat functions. Second, the 6-inch storage area provides detention of runoff. Thirdly, he organic litter/mulch provides pollutant removal and water storage. Lastly, the planting bed soil provides infiltration of runoff, removal of pollutants through numerous processes, groundwater recharge, and evapotranspiration through the plant material. (Prince Georges County 1999).

Figure 9-1 Bioretention Cell

Source: (Prince Georges County 1999)

9.3 Hydrology
9.3.1 Introduction
The principle idea of LID is to restore the watershed hydrologic function to a near nondeveloped state. The theory of how to restore the hydrologic function is simple, reduce the time of concentration and/or reduce the curve number/runoff coefficient to the natural state of the site. A proper site design can reach the goal of reducing the time of concentration and/or reducing the curve number/runoff coefficient in many ways including: Decreasing the pervious area Increasing stormwater runoff disconnect Increasing the length in which the stormwater travels Decreasing the velocity of stormwater runoff Locateing pervious surfaces on less pervious soils 9-4

9.3.2 Low Impact Development Design Considerations

In a LID system, the fundamental hydrologic processes are considered throughout the site planning process. An understanding of the dynamics and interrelationships in the hydrologic cycle is used as a guide to preserving the predevelopment hydrology. The preservation of the predevelopment hydrology is evaluated by comparison of preand postdevelopment conditions. The comparison is facilitated by consideration of four fundamental measures: runoff volume control, peak runoff rate control, flow frequency/duration control, and water quality control. These four evaluation measures are discussed further below. Runoff Volume Control As the imperviousness of the site is increased, the runoff volume for a given storm increases. The ratio of the corresponding runoff volume (in inches) to the total rainfall event (in inches) is called the runoff coefficient. The typical site runoff coefficient can be maintained at the predevelopment level by compensating for the loss of abstraction (interception, infiltration, depression storage) through both site planning and design considerations. Peak Runoff Rate Control Low-impact development is designed to maintain the predevelopment peak runoff discharge for all the storms smaller than the selected design storm events. Use of site planning tools (see Chapter 2) and preferred management practices (Chapter 4) may control the peak runoff rate as well as the runoff volume. If additional controls are required to reach the predevelopment peak runoff rate, additional BMPs and supplemental management techniques might be needed. Flow Frequency/Duration Control Since low-impact development is designed to emulate the predevelopment hydrologic regime through both volume and peak runoff rate controls, the flow frequency and duration for the postdevelopment conditions should be almost identical to those for the predevelopment conditions (see Figure 9-2). The potential impacts on the sediment and erosion and stream habitat quality at downstream reaches can then be minimized. Water Quality Control Low-impact development is designed to provide water quality treatment control for at least the first half-inch of runoff from impervious areas using retention practices. In most LID applications, the use of distributed control and retention throughout the site will result in much higher levels of water quality treatment control for a number of reasons. First the runoff volume controlled will usually exceed the first half-inch of runoff, and frequently exceed two inches of runoff volume, thereby treating a much greater volume

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of annual runoff. Also, this greater volume of runoff control will usually be associated with decreases in both the time of concentration and flow velocities which results in a reduction in the pollutant transport capacity and overall pollutant loading. Low-impact development also supports pollution prevention practices by modifying human activities to reduce the introduction of pollutants into the environment.(Prince Georges County 1999).

Figure 9-2 Comparison of the hydrologic response of conventional BMPs and LID BMPs

( Source: (Prince Georges County 1999)

9.3.3 Acceptable Hydrologic Evaluation Techniques

Though 3 specific hydrologic methods are discussed in Chapter 2 of this manual (Rational, SCS, USGS Regression), only the Rational method and the SCS method are to be used in the design and evaluation of LID sites. Since the USGS Regression equation has a minimum basin size of 25 acres, and the goal of LID is to minimize basin size, the USGS Regression equation is unacceptable for LID developments.

9.4 Maintenance
While LID is an excellent stormwater management practice, it is important to maintain all LID practices on a regular basis. Regular maintenance on LID practices will help to increase the efficiency and the longevity of the practices. While maintenance cost vary for all LID practices, the cost of maintenance over the lifetime of a LID site is comparatively less than that of a traditionally designed site.

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For more information on specific maintenance on different LID practices, refer to Chapter 8 of the manual.

9.5 Public Education and Outreach

The City of Griffin still believes that one of the best ways to improve water quality and water quantity is thought the education of the public. Currently the City of Griffin maintains a strong public education and outreach program. This education and outreach program is responsible for production and distribution of brochures, DVDs, CDs, flyers, other printed materials, and the distribution of this manual. In order for a successful LID site to be constructed the City of Griffin understands that the public must be educated about the design and maintenance of the LID practices implemented. In order to achieve this goal the City of Griffin has prepared this manual and has many links and references at www.griffinstrom.com to help educate the public about LID sites. In order to stay current with LID practices the City of Griffin strives to update www.griffinstrom.com on a regular basis.

9.6 References
Atlanta Regional Commision, 2001. Georgia Stormwater Management Manual Volumes I and II. Prepared by Amec Earth and Environmental, Center for Watershed Protection, Debo and Assocates, Jordan Jones and Goulding, and The Atlanta Regional Commission. Low-Impact Development Design Strategies An Integrated Design Approach , 1999 Prepared by Prince Georges County, Maryland and the Department of Environmental Resource Programs and Planning Division. (Prince Georges County 1999)

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