PUMP SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING RUNOFF RECORDS DURING WINTER1

ABSTRACT: Freezing winter temperatures can cause icing of outdoor weirs used to measure surface runoff. Ice typically forms in the notch and on the crests of short-crested V-notch weirs, causing incorrect gage heights to be measured. A method for reducing the effects of ice formation on weirs and weir pools using a pump is presented and evaluated. Warmer water from the bottom of the weir pool is pumped to the surface, reducing the opportunity for the water surface to freeze. The pump is shown to work except under extremely cold conditions, improving runoff records from 27 percent to 60 percent. The pump system has no practical effect on measured gage height. Frequency distributions of flow rates and air temperatures under measured ice-free and other weir conditions are presented. Suggestions for use of the pump system under temperature conditions other than those in this study are given.     

COMPARISON OF 1-D AND 2-D MODELING OF OVERLAND RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT1

ABSTRACT: One-dimensional and two-dimensional modeling approaches were compared for their abilities in predicting overland runoff and sediment transport. Both 1-D and 2-D models were developed to test the hypothesis that the 2-D modeling approach could improve the model predictions over the 1-P approach, based on the same mathematical representations of physical processes for runoff and sediment transport. The models developed in this study were applied to overland areas with cross slopes. A hypothetical case and an experimental study reported by Storm (1991) were used. Based on the simulation results from the selected hypothetical case and experimental study, the 2-D model provided better representation of spatial distribution of flow depths and sediment concentrations than the 1-D model. However, no significant differences in predictions of total runoff volume and sediment yield at the outlet area were found between the 1-D and 2-D models.     

HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS OF A CONSTRUCTED WETLAND IN SOUTH FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: This paper describes the application of the SHEET2D model to the Florida's Everglades Nutrient Removal (ENR) Project. The ENR Project is a 3815 acre (1545 ha) pilot project, located in Palm Beach County. The operation of the treatment system will be used to demonstrate the performance of larger scale constructed wetland systems for removal of phosphorus from Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) stormwater runoff. It is currently the largest stormwater wetland treatment system in the world. The SHEET2D model was used to analyze the performance of the ENR Project. SHEET2D is a two-dimensional, depth-averaged hydrodynamic model that is applicable to shallow water flow conditions. Subsequently, results from SHEET2D simulations were used to develop the ENEMOD model. ENRMOD is a lumped parameter box water quality model that can be used to analyze the long term performance of the ENR project with respect to hydrology and phosphorus uptake. Localized short-circuiting in the agricultural ditches within the project area was analyzed by using the RBFVM-2D model, which is a finite volume hydrodynamic model that is also applicable to shallow water flow conditions. The SHEET2D model was employed to simulate the hydraulics of the structures between cells and the hydrodynamics of the sheet-flow moving across the buffer cell and treatment cells. Collection, distribution, and larger discharge canals within the project were simulated by means of the MultiBasin Routing (MBR) model features that are built into the SHEET2D model. Constant inflows (75 to 600 cfs [2.1 to 17 m³/s]) were used in all runs to simulate the discharge of the ENR Project based on the proposed operating schedule for the outflow pump station. The model simulated 30 days to reach steady state conditions. Under steady state conditions, the hydraulic retention times were computed for the project and the split of flow between the two treatment trains of the entire project from the common buffer cell. Additionally, design components such as height of the levees, capacity of the structures, and hydrographs at specified grids were obtained.     

Water-quality effectiveness of a detention/wetland treatment system and its effect on an urban lake

A newly installed combined detention/wetland stormwater treatment facility upstream from Lake McCarrons, Roseville, Minnesota, was monitored for 21 months to evaluate its effectiveness and the response of the lake to decreased phosphorus loads. The treatment facility consists of a 1.0-ha detention pond that discharges into a series of six constructed wetland “chambers.” Data from snowmelt and rainfall events are presented for several pollutants. Results show good reductions for most pollutants. Discussion on the facets of the system's operation are presented. Data from the lake show very little change in its water quality from three years prior to restoration (1984–1986) to three years following restoration (1987–1989): the lake's phosphorus and chlorophyll has actually increased.     

POND SIZING FOR RATIONAL FORMULA HYDROGRAPHS1

ABSTRACT: The Modified Rational formula hydrograph and the Yarnell generalized rainfall chart are generally accepted procedures for sizing storm water detention ponds for small drainage areas. A procedure has been developed to choose the rainfall duration which, for a chosen return period, will result in the largest required storage volume of a detention pond. A graphical solution has been provided and its use has been described by application to an example.     

A COMPARISON OF SURFACE RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT YIELDS FROM LOW- AND HIGH-SEVERITY SITE PREPARATION BURNS1

ABSTRACI:. Slash burning is a common site preparation technique used after timber harvest throughout the Southeastern United States. Little quantitative information exists on the hydrologic response to burn severity. This study compared the effects of low-severity and high-severity burns on runoff and sediment yields during rainfall simulation and during natural rainfall in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Fire severity was largely determined by moisture conditions of the forest floor prior to ignition. Runoff and sediment yield variability was high between plots within the same treatment area due to differences in forest floor characteristics and infiltration rates. Conditions of high-severity resulted when burning was conducted with relatively dry fuels. Sediment yields were 40-times greater for the high-severity treatment areas than the low-severity treatment areas.     

WATER QUALITY DURING STORM EVENTS FROM TWO CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS RECEWING MINE DRAINAGE1

ABSTRACT: Flow rates, pH, iron concentration, and manganese concentration were measured during several storm events at two constructed wetlands receiving mine water. During a substantial rain event, flow rates at both the wetland outlets surpassed flow rates at the wetland inlets, reflecting incident rainfall and differences in wetland area at the two sites. A significant positive correlation existed between local rainfall and outflow rates at the larger wetland, but not between rainfall and inflow rates. During storm events, outlet pH, relative to inlet pH, was slightly elevated at the larger wetland, and depressed at the smaller wetland. However, over the course of one year, rainfall was uncorrelated to outlet pH in the larger wetland. A substantial rain event at the smaller wetland resulted in a temporary elevation in outlet iron concentrations, with treatment efficiency reduced to near zero. However, in the larger wetland, outlet iron concentrations were not significantly affected by storm events. Although rainfall and outlet iron concentration were not significant correlates at the larger wetland, flow rate was positively correlated to outlet iron concentration. A normal manganese treatment efficiency of 50 percent at the smaller wetland was reduced to zero during a heavy rain.     

REFORESTATION WITH CONIFERS - ITS EFFECT ON STREAMFLOW IN CENTRAL NEW YORK1

During the early 1930's, more than 340,000 acres of abandoned farmland in New York State were purchased by the State Conservation Department for the planting, growing, and harvesting of trees. Since then, this land has developed from a heavy cover of weeds and brush into dense coniferous woodlands with trees averaging well over 30 feet high. Hydrologic data have been collected since 1932 in Central New York to determine the effect of the reforestation on streamflow. Data are available for three small partly reforested areas and for one non-reforested control area. Intensive statistical analyses of the data from the four study areas were made in 1958. It was determined at that time that significant reductions in total runoff had occurred which were attributed to increases in interception and transpiration. Reductions in peak discharges during the dormant season also were indicated which were attributed to increased interception and sublimation of snowfall, and gradual desynchronization of snowmelt runoff from the wooded and open areas of partly reforested watersheds. Updating of the studies relating to peak discharges was completed in 1967 and indicated that no further changes in relative peaks had taken place since 1958. From this it is concluded that the influence exerted by the forest had become maximum by 1958 and has remained stable since then.     

LOADING FUNCTIONS FOR PREDICTING NUTRIENT LOSSES FROM COMPLEX WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: A loading function methodology is presented for predicting runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses from complex watersheds. Separate models are defined for cropland, forest, urban and barnyard sources, and procedures for estimating baseflow nutrients are provided. The loading functions are designed for use as a preliminary screening tool to isolate the major contributors in a watershed. Input data sources are readily available and the functions do not require costly calibrations. Data requirements include watershed land use and soil information, daily precipitation and temperature records and rainfall erosivities. Comparison of predicted and measured water, sediment, and nutrient runoff fluxes for the West Branch Deleware River in New York, indicated that runoff was underpredicted by about 14 percent while dissolved nutrients were within 30 percent of observed values. Sediment and solid-phase nutrients were overpredicted by about 50 percent. An annual nutrient budget for the West Branch Delaware River showed that cornland was the major source of sediment, solid phase nutrients, and total phosphorus. Waste water treatment plants and ground water discharge contributed the most dissolved phosphorus and dissolved nitrogen, respectively.     

ESTIMATING RUNOFF VOLUMES FROM URBAN AREAS1

ABSTRACT: Estimations of runoff volumes from urban areas can be made by the equation Q = a A σ(P_e– b), where Q is the runoff volume, a is the part of the total area A Contributing to runoff, P_e is the rainfall amount for a single event, and b is the initial rainfall losses. For the evaluation of a and b, rainfall/runoff measurements were made in five areas of sizes between 0.035 km² and 1.450 km². By linear regression analysis of rainfall volumes versus runoff volumes, the initial rainfall losses were found to vary from 0.38 mm to 0.70 mm for the different areas. The parts of the areas contributing to runoff were found to be proportional to the impermeable parts of the mas. The equation is applicable in urban areas with well defined paved surfaces and roofs and with a negligible amount of runoff from permeable areas.