MANAGEMENT OF FLOOD CONTROL SUMPS AND POLLUTANT TRANSPORT¹

Abstract

Levee sump systems are used by many riverine communities for temporary storage of urban wet weather flows. The hydrologic performance and transport of stormwater pollutants in sump systems, however, have not been systematically studied. The objective of this paper is to present a case study to demonstrate development and application of a procedure for assessing the hydraulic performance of flood control sumps in an urban watershed. Two sumps of highly variable physical and hydraulic characteristics were selected for analysis. A hydrologic modeling package was used to estimate the flow hydrograph for each outfall as part of the flow balance for the sump. To validate these results, a water balance was used to estimate the total runoff using sump operational data. The hydrologic model calculations provide a satisfactory estimate of the total runoff and its time-distribution to the sump. The model was then used to estimate pollutant loads to the sump and to the river. Although flow of stormwater through a sump system is regulated solely by flood-control requirements, these sumps may function as sedimentation basins that provide purification of stormwater. A sample calculation of removals of several conventional pollutants in the target sumps using a mass balance approach is presented. (KEY TERMS: flood-control sumps; modeling; nonpoint source pollution; stormwater management; urban hydrology; water quality.)

Urban Wet‐Weather Flows

“…The function, performance and suitability of each technique were discussed, and a comprehensive review was provided to guide the selection of a suitable TSS control technique. Levee sump systems have been used by many riverine communities for temporary storage of urban wet weather flows(Smith et al, 2001d). A hydrologic modeling package was used to estimate the flow hydrograph for each outfall as part of the flow balance for the sump.…”