Reducing Downstream Storm Water Impacts Using Design Stage Modeling in Urban Development‪.‬

Abstract Prototype evaluations of alternative land development approaches indicate that storm water flow rates can be reduced by as much as 50%. Volumes can also be reduced, peak flows delayed and storm water quality improved. This paper discusses a new approach to design stage consideration of storm water and the potential and challenges of implementing a computer based planning system to include storm water impacts as part of urban development project review. Development and use of such a system in a watershed could result in assisting designers and planners to reduce storm water impacts of new developments. This approach, implemented throughout a watershed, could contribute toward saving lives and reducing property damage and economic dislocations associated with major floods. An agenda for further system and application development is identified.