Comparing the adaptability of infiltration based BMPs to various U.S. regions

The Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland, OR, has become a recognized leader in using small, vegetated best management practices (BMPs) such as infiltration basins for stormwater management. Landscape Architects around the United States often point to Portland's successes as to what could be achieved elsewhere. However, is stormwater management in the Pacific Northwest different from the rest of the country, and is it practical or even possible to replicate these practices somewhere else? To answer these questions, the authors re-created Portland's Simplified Sizing Model and then calibrated it for several major U.S. cities in various regions of the country. This approach allowed for a direct, side-by-side comparison of a hypothetical site, using the same design variables with different rainfall inputs depending on the city being studied. The results indicated that while small scale BMPs are effective in all regions of the country in managing small events, large rain events are much more difficult to manage as compared to Portland. However, by understanding the differences, opportunities arise that allow for practices to be adapted to a region's specific climatic conditions.

► We model the size of small-scale vegetated BMPs for various U.S. cities.
► Stormwater management is substantially different in the Pacific Northwest.
► Stormwater quality is achievable in most cities using small-scale vegetated BMPs.
► Stormwater quantity is more difficult to achieve with small-scale vegetated BMPs.