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Community Input For Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Step 3 of 5: Stormwater Site Analysis

Once you have selected a site for a potential GSI project in your community, it is important to look at the site itself and determine whether or not it is suitable for stormwater management.

The stormwater site analysis is an informative exercise only; it is not necessary to submit an analysis of your site. However, this will allow you and the organization you are representing to understand how to look at a site and determine its potential feasibility for stormwater management.

After your project submission has been received, PWD’s stormwater engineers will conduct a full analysis including utility conflicts and drainage area calculations to determine whether this site qualifies for a green infrastructure stormwater management project.

 

1. Site Inventory

Find or draw a map of your site. To find an aerial photograph of your site, go to GoogleMaps, type in the address or intersection of your site, and set the map view to “Satellite.”

Identify all vegetation, buildings, property lines, impervious areas (hard or paved surfaces), high and low points and stormwater inlets. Stormwater inlets are a necessary element since all green infrastructure systems must be connected via an overflow pipe to an existing inlet.

2. Drainage Areas

Look at the contours (topography) of the land to determine the high and low points of the site. It can be helpful to visit the site after a rain event. Draw arrows on all of the impervious surfaces on your map, showing the low points or inlets where the stormwater drains to, both on your site and on the streets. These are your drainage areas. Projects should attempt to maximize the drainage areas that they propose to manage.

3. Identify locations for Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)

GSI should be located adjacent to inlets, at the lowest points of the site. GSI is typically rain gardens, tree trenches, or other types of planters that capture runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the ground. It can also be pervious pavement. Avoid locating GSI within an area of healthy, mature trees or within 10 feet of any structure.

For more detailed instructions on stormwater analysis, view Site Design for Stormwater Management.

 

Continue to Step 4. Gathering Information

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