The Arid West is the fastest growing region of the country. Expanding development in this harsh environment brings new stormwater management challenges. Bioretention present unique engineering and ecological challenges different than more mesic regions of the country. To address these challenges, two bioretention cells are being constructed in Salt Lake City to test performance in an arid climate. Factors driving plant selection and design are expected delivery of annual precipitation as well as physiological traits of native plant species. First, expected precipitation amounts and pattern of delivery are reviewed for Salt Lake City. Second, physiological benefits and restraints of selected upland species from the area are explored to determine suitability for use in bioretention stormwater facilities. Traits examined include carbon to nitrogen ratios, rooting depth, salt tolerance, soil preferences and season of growth. This analysis is expands to evaluate precipitation patters and native plant physiology of the 4 largest population areas of the Arid West: the Great Basin (Boise, ID and Salt Lake City UT), the Colorado River Basin (Las Vegas, NV), the Salt River Basin (Phoenix, AZ), the Rio Grande Basin (El Paso, Texas), and Costal Southern California (Anaheim, CA). Timing of precipitation plays an important role in selecting vegetation in arid climates. Although annual precipitation is similar, each region experiences unique patterns of precipitation delivery and physiologically different native plants. Special consideration must be given to these local factors when planning sustainable Low Impact Development stormwater management in these harsh climates. Plant suggestions are listed for each urban center.
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