Vegetated filter strips

From LID SWM Planning and Design Guide
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Overview[edit]

Gently sloping, densely vegetated areas that are designed to treat runoff as sheet flow from adjacent impervious surfaces. Filter strips function by slowing runoff velocities and filtering out sediment and other pollutants, and by providing some infiltration into underlying soils. Filter strips may be comprised of a variety of trees, shrubs, and vegetation to add aesthetic value as well as water quality benefits.

They are best suited to treating runoff from roads and highways, roof downspouts and low traffic parking lots. They are also ideal as pretreatment to another lot level or conveyance practice. Filter strips also provide a convenient area for snow storage and treatment.

Gallery[edit]

Modeling[edit]

TTT.png

Vegetated filter strips are found within the LID toolbox
Surface
Berm height (mm) This is the height of the curb which constrains the overland sheet flow of water. Where the bottom of the slope discharges directly into another LID facility without impedance, the value is 0.
Surface roughness (Manning’s n) Lower numbers indicate less surface obstruction and result in faster flow. See Turf for ideas of a good number according to mowing practices.
Surface slope (%) If the slope > 3%, consider using level spreaders to reduce erosion of the surface under high flow velocities.
Soil (native underlying soil, or amended topsoil)
Thickness (mm) If topsoil has been amended Absorbent landscapes
Porosity (fraction) Suggest around 0.4, unless otherwise tested.
Field capacity (fraction) Will vary according to native or amended topsoil[1]
Wilting point (fraction)
Conductivity (mm/hr)
Conductivity slope
Suction head (mm)
Design drawdown time (hrs) Will be determined by regulatory authority, often 48 - 72 hours to reduce nuisance from mosquitoes
  1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.; Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati ONRMRL. Storm Water Management Model Reference Manual Volume I Hydrology (Revised). 2016:233. https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100NYRA.txt Accessed August 23, 2017.