Project 3: An evaluation of low impact development practices and residential basement flood risk

Overview:

It is increasing apparent that traditional municipal infrastructure systems, designed decades prior to the consideration of rapid urbanization and climate change, are incapable of adequately capturing and conveying large volumes of stormwater runoff. Low impact development (LID) is a modern engineering design strategy that functions to mitigate the negative impacts of increased stormwater runoff and pollution by managing stormwater quality and quantity. It was hypothesized that the incorporation of LID may exacerbate hydrologic conditions and contribute to residential basement flood risk. This research applies hydrologic modeling and probabilistic assessment techniques to investigate the influence of LID on net infiltration depth and groundwater elevations as it relates to the risk of infiltration flooding into residential basements.

Graduate student theses:

Vrban, S. (2019). An evaluation of low impact development and residential basement flood risk in the Greater Toronto Area. Master’s of Applied Science thesis, School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.

Link: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/17258

Journal articles:

Vrban, S., McBean, E., Binns, A.D., Gharabaghi, B. Assessment of residential basement flood risk due to amplified seasonal groundwater levels resulting from increased LID-induced stormwater infiltration. To be submitted to Journal of Hydrological Engineering.

Conference abstracts and presentations:

Vrban, S., Gharabaghi, B., Binns, A.D., McBean, E.A. Evaluation of low impact development practices at the catchment scale: can benefits turn into risks? Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) 2019 National Conference, 26-31 May, Collingwood, Canada, 2019.

Vrban, S., Wang, Y., McBean, E.A., Binns, A.D., Gharabaghi, B. Evaluation of stormwater infrastructure design storms using partial duration and annual maximum series models. TRIECA 2019 Conference, 20-21 March, Brampton, Canada, 2019.

Vrban, S., Wang, Y., McBean, E.A., Binns, A.D., Gharabaghi, B. Evaluation of partial duration and annual maxima series rainfall models using the Low Impact Development Treatment Train Tool. 51st International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM), 28 February-1 March, Toronto, Canada, 2018.

Vrban, S., Binns, A.D. Evaluation of lot-level stormwater management practices and their influence on basement flood risk. Green Communities Canada Webinar, 19 February, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada, 2019.

Project outcomes:

  • Development of a novel methodology for the assessment of the influence of LID on residential basement flood risk established using hydrologic modeling and probabilistic assessment techniques
  • Hydrologic modeling to assess influence of LID on net infiltration depth and groundwater elevations for three case study locations in the Greater Toronto Area
  • The increased risk of basement flooding due to exacerbation of hydrologic parameters would depend on the extensiveness of LID implementation

Pictures:

Figure 1: Elm Drive Post-Development (LID) Site Plan

Figure 2: Honda Campus Post-Development (LID) Site Plan

Figure 3: Mosaik Subdivision Post-Development (LID) Site Plan

Figure 4: PCSWMM One Catchment Model Schematic for Elm Drive Site

Figure 5: PCSWMM One Catchment Model Schematic for Honda Campus Site

Figure 6: PCSWMM One Catchment Model Schematic for Mosaik Subdivision Site

Figure 7: LID TTT Model Schematic for Elm Drive (STEP, 2018)

Figure 8: LID TTT Model Schematic for Honda Campus (STEP, 2015)

Figure 9: LID TTT Model Schematic for Mosaik Subdivision (STEP, 2018)