1. Impact of rainwater catchment systems on stormwater discharge in two neighborhoods in Potash Brook watershed Impact of rainwater catchment systems on stormwater discharge in two neighborhoods in Potash Brook watershed MarySutton Carruthers Kristen Hendrick Emily Schelley Kyle Velvis

2. Problem Statement Currently there is no assessment of the potential for decreasing discharge rates in Butler Farm neighborhood or in the Airport neighborhood An assessment could provide scientific justification for management decisions dealing with water quality

3. Background/Justification High discharge rates are associated with increased erosion, sedimentation and pollutant loading into streams Can cause changes in geomorphology and adversely affect benthic invertebrates

4. Types of Catchment Systems Rain Barrels -Large container (50-80 gallons) placed at downspout to collect rooftop runoff -Water is saved for use during dry periods

5. Types of Catchment Systems Rain Gardens -Shallow landscaped depression positioned to capture stormwater runoff -planted with native, water tolerant plants -reduction in fertilizer use -additional habitat

6. Site Description

7. Neighborhood A – Airport 101 houses occupying ~36 acres of land Soil hydrogroup A Adams and Windsor loamy sand soil classes most prominent Excessively drained rapid permeability Soil class descriptions taken from USDA-NRCS

8. Neighborhood D – Butler Farms 248 houses sitting on ~135 acres Soil hydrogroup D Vergennes clay and Farmington silty loam most prominent soil classes Moderate to slow permeability, moderately well drained Soil class descriptions taken from USDA-NRCS

9. Model Inputs/Assumptions Altered drainage patterns Default storm data used from NRCS Percent impervious based on CWP data Mitigation effort represents 8% reduction in effective impervious area Longest flow path determination

10. Findings

11. Findings

12. Findings % reduction in peak flow Neighborhood A 50 yr58.3 Neighborhood D1 yr18.2 5 yr13.1 50 yr9.6

13. Recommendations Airport neighborhood : – Mitigation efforts useful…however Current situation does NOT show high flow because of PERMEABLE soils – No catchment systems recommended

14. Recommendations Butler Farm – Current situation shows high flows… however Mitigation NOT useful because of IMPERMEABLE soils – Alternate catchment systems, such as detention ponds should be assessed

15. Questions/Comments/Praise Thanks to Breck, Erica and our fellow Environmental Scientists