Low Impact Development (LID) Modeling

Overview
Low impact development (LID) can be assessed with the FLO-2D model using a spatially variable
tolerance value TOL on individual grid elements. The TOL parameter was originally designed to
represent a flow depth below which no discharge is shared between two grid elements. Typically for a
large flood event a TOL value of 0.1 ft ( 0.03 m) is assigned in the TOLER.DAT file so that the model does
not exchange discharge for negligible depths approaching zero. The intent is to reduce the number of
computations required for large grid systems. For hydrology models, a lower TOL parameter represents
the important physical process of depression storage. Depression storage remains on the grid system
after the rainfall had ceased and is considered to be a portion of the initial abstraction (depression
storage + interception) that has to be filled in order for runoff to initiate. The initial abstraction cannot
be more than the TOL value.
The concept of the LID is that each new residential or commercial construction would be required to
design flood retention storage into the site development. This may include bioretention, green roofs,
rain gardens, permeable pavement, drainage disconnection, swales, and on-site storage (see Figure 1).
Spatially variable TOL values would be assigned on grid element basis to represent the variables LID
techniques (Figure 2). The volume of on-site detention storage can be assessed by multiplying the lot
surface area by the retained flow depth (TOL value). This would provide flood hazard mitigation on a lot
by lot basis. It would be displayed as a final flow depth in the Mapper program.

Figure 1. Low Impact Development Water Retention (Seattle Public Utilities, Rainwise Program,
http://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/DrainageSewer/Projects/GreenStormwaterInfrastructure/RainWise)

Figure 2. FLO-2D Grid Element LID Concept Spatially Variable TOL Elements (brown)
(http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org)

FLO-2D Model Revisions for the LID Tool

The global assignment of the TOL value is still required in the first line (first parameter) in the TOLER.DAT
but the name has been revised to TOLGOBAL. When a FLO-2D model is initiated the TOLGLOBAL value
would be assigned to all the grid elements. This value would then be superseded by the spatially
variable TOL(i) assignment for each grid element (Figure 3) listed in the file TOLSPATIAL.DAT. The grid
element TOL values can be assigned either manually (one at a time - Figure 4), by polygon selection
(Figures 5), or by shape file in the GDS. The GDS will then generate the TOLSPATIAL.DAT file with grid
element number and a TOL value in two columns (Figure 6). It should be noted in the GDS grid element
dialog box shown in Figure 4 that the TOL value will be listed as zero if the grid element has not yet been
assigned a spatially variable value. The TOLGLOBAL value is not assigned to the grid element until the
model runs.
There has been no changed in how the TOL value is applied in the model code. The TOL depression
storage must be filled before flow is exchanged with a neighbor grid element (Figure 7). Flow depth less
than or equal to the TOL value will remain on the grid element after the simulation is complete. The
typically range for TOL is:
0.004 < TOL < 0.1
The range for spatially variable TOL assignment is from TOLGLOBAL to 5.0 ft.

Figure 3. Command to Assign Spatially Variable TOL values to Selected Grid Elements

Figure 4. Assigning Spatially Variable TOL Values to an Individual Grid Element

3

Figure 5. Assigning Spatially Variable TOL Values to Polygon Selected Elements

Figure 6. Spatially Variable TOL Value Format in TOLSPATIAL.DAT Generated by the GDS

Grid Element Side

TOL
Figure 7. TOLGLOBAL Definition: Typical Range 0.004 < TOL < 0.1

Using the LID Tool Results

After a FLO-2D simulation with the spatially variable TOL grid element assignment, the primary effect
will be greater water retention on those grid elements with TOL values that are higher than TOLGLOBAL.
The results can be viewed in Mapper or MAXPLOT as higher final flows depths. A difference plot can be
generated in MAXPLOT to demonstrate the effect of the spatially variable TOL values by comparing the
FINALDEP.OUT files for a base run with no spatially variable TOL values to a FLO-2D simulation where
the spatially TOL values are assigned. Figure 8 is MAXPLOT graphic of the difference between the
spatially variable and global TOL values and shows that the assignment of spatially variable TOL values
results in higher depths. The global TOL value was 0.004 ft and the spatial variation in the TOL value
ranged from 0.25 to 0.67 ft covering roughly 45% of the grid system. In this project the amount of
storage on the floodplain after the storm has ended is higher (almost double) with the spatially variable
TOL values. In the SUMMARY.OUT File, the runoff from the grid system and the volume of water in the
storm drain is lower (Figures 9a and 9b). Clearly there is a more water retained on the floodplain
surface that does not flow off the grid system or enter the storm drain because higher spatially variable
TOL values are assigned. The LID representation the spatially variable TOL values have significant impact
on the flood hazard downstream of where the flood retention techniques would be implemented.

Figure 8. MAXPLOT Difference Analysis of the FINALDEP.OUT Files (Spatially Variable Base Run).

Figure 9a. SUMMARY.OUT File for the Spatially Variable TOL Value

Figure 9b. SUMMARY.OUT File for the Base Simulation (Global TOL Value).