Leveraging Available Data to Guide Stormwater Management Efforts

摘要

Stormwater managers must regularly use the information available to them to make near and long-term decisions regarding stormwater quantity and quality issues. Using a data analysis and visualization framework, opportunities exist to better inform decision making using large local and publicly available datasets for rainfall, flood records, water quality sampling, and more. Analysis of 15-minute rainfall data from USGS gages formed the basis of a storm analysis tool. By examining storm characteristics within an event and across multiple years of record, it was possible to establish context for extreme storms and compare recorded events with design storm characteristics. Associating recorded drainage complaints or other flooding records with storm events through this framework made it possible to estimate areas of likely flooding concerns using forecast rainfall without more involved modeling. Compilation of flow and water quality monitoring data within this framework made it possible to visualize changes in water quality and progress towards improvement goals or prioritization of watershed needs. Understanding the configuration of these frameworks, the data sources they rely upon, and associated analysis methodology will equip stormwater programs to benefit from the information accessible to them, resulting in improved stormwater management outcomes.