Land Use and Land Cover Effects on Runoff Processes: Urban and Suburban Development

Abstract

Urban and suburban development alters watershed imperviousness and connectivity, resulting in alterations to the hydrologic and hydraulic runoff response. Stormwater conveyance devices have been incorporated into most development to address the goal of floodwater removal for protection of life and property. Urban and suburban development laws generally consider the stormwater drainage system as part of the basic infrastructure and leave right of way and space to locate the component parts. Drainage systems are designed to protect life, enable vehicular access, extend pavement life cycle, control the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff along curbs and gutters, and convey stormwater runoff to natural or human constructed drainage ways and receiving waters. Engineering equations have been developed to design construction for optimal runoff behavior, such as timing, volume, and rate, into, through, and from conveyance devices. Design equations are also utilized for assessing the performance of constructed environments, to ascertain whether stormwater devices need rehabilitation or expansion. New frontiers in stormwater include model spatially distributed development that incorporates high‐density elevation maps, radar rainfall, and details of remotely sensed infrastructure as well as ecological restoration simulation, including groundwater and river remediation for wildlife and recreation.

Relative effects of geographically isolated wetlands on streamflow: a watershed‐scale analysis

“…This finding is consistent with numerous studies that have found direct correlations between various land cover types and streamflow (e.g. Endreny, ; Schilling et al, ; Tu, ; Price et al, ). Land cover is also one of three primary factors – including soil type and slopes – that governs daily soil water retention in the SWAT model, a parameter in the curve number equation used to estimate daily surface runoff from different combinations of land cover, soil types, and slopes.…”

Assessing urbanization impacts on catchment transit times

“…Urbanization is a major driver of land use change [Grimm et al, 2008] with water-related impacts styled as the "urban stream syndrome" (USS) [Walsh et al, 2005]. This stereotypes more rapid hydrologic response from impervious surfaces, increasing flood peaks, reducing time to peak, and restricting groundwater recharge, which diminishes base flows [Endreny, 2005]. The USS also encompasses pollution from road runoff and connected storm sewers and the resulting reduction in ecological status [Townsend-Small et al, 2013].…”

iTree-Hydro: Snow Hydrology Update For The Urban Forest Hydrology Model1

“…In the United States (U.S.) urbanization, urban sprawl, and urban infilling are predominantly supplied by forest, agricultural, and grass lands (US GAO, 2001). These land cover changes disrupt the hydrological cycle and create increased runoff volumes (i.e., less surface storage and infiltration), increased velocities (i.e., less flow resistance and steeper, shorter flow paths), and elevated concentration of metals, sediment, and nutrients (Horner et al, 1994;Schueler, 1994;WEF ⁄ ASCE, 1998;Endreny, 2005). These land cover changes disrupt the hydrological cycle and create increased runoff volumes (i.e., less surface storage and infiltration), increased velocities (i.e., less flow resistance and steeper, shorter flow paths), and elevated concentration of metals, sediment, and nutrients (Horner et al, 1994;Schueler, 1994;WEF ⁄ ASCE, 1998;Endreny, 2005).…”