Evaluating the Downstream Water Quality Improvement and Peak Flow Reduction following Implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure in a Northern Climate

Green stormwater infrastructure (GI) is an approach to land development that attempts to retain and clean stormwater as close to the source as possible to reduce flooding and improve the water quality of urbanized watersheds. The objective of this study is to provide a field-based evaluation of how GI reduces peak flow and improves the downstream water quality of two urbanized watercourses at the catchment-scale. In this project we will collect water quality and flow measurements along four reaches of two different watercourses where GI is to be constructed. These samples will be collected both before and after the construction of a variety of GI facilities. The results will be used to calibrate stormwater models and will provide insight into the effectiveness of GI at reducing flood risk and improving the downstream water quality of watercourses within the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority Area of Jurisdiction.

Faculty Supervisor:

Brian Mclaren;Robert Stewart;Jennifer Drake

Student:

Partner:

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Lakehead University

Program: