executivesummary-centerforresearchinwaterresources（15页）.docVIP

The Use of GIS in Modeling and Evaluating Best Management Practices in Austin, TX Lauren E. Schneider Environmental and Water Resources Engineering University of Texas at Austin CE 394K.3 GIS in Water Resources Fall 2004 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Statement of Research Problem The Clean Water Act has done much to improve our Nation’s water bodies, but 40 percent remain impaired due partly to stormwater runoff (NCTCOG, 2004). The 1996 National Water Quality Inventory shows that 13 percent of impaired rivers and 21 percent of impaired lake acres are affected by urban/suburban stormwater runoff (NCTCOG, 2004). In Austin, Texas, water quality and flooding due to stormwater runoff are critical issues. This is why the Regional Stormwater Management Program (RSMP) was developed and Best Management Practices have been installed and monitored in the Austin area (Austin City Connection, 2004). Best Management Practices (BMPs) are an important step towards improving the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff, but without further study and modeling, the effectiveness of implemented and future BMPs in meeting water quality standards will remain unknown. Companies that design BMPs test them in the lab and claim a certain level of effectiveness, but the effectiveness cannot be reproduced in the field due to several variables including drainage area and runoff volume. Data describing the amount of pollutant removal for each BMP in the Austin area is provided in data sets, but without data concerning pollutant loads in the inflow, it is impossible to determine overall effectiveness. Even with such information, the effectiveness per storm type will remain unknown. This is why modeling is necessary for implementing effective BMPs. GIS plays a role in the model because it can describe characteristics of the area that drains to the BMP. 1.2. BMP Definition Best Management Practices for storm water management are low-impact, on-site methods of reducing environmental