Drainage time
The recommended drawdown times for all storage and infiltration facilities (trenches, chambers, bioretention etc.) are based upon rainfall statistics and likelihood that the facility will have had time to regenerate storage capacity before the arrival of the next storm event. A summary analysis of 14 locations across Ontario found that storms were most frequent in Thunder Bay and least frequent in Toronto; there is a ~50% chance of rainfall occurring again within 48 hours (Thunder Bay) to 72 hours (Toronto).
The analysis was conducted using the recommended minimum inter-event time of 12 hours from the MOECC[1], and earlier rainfall probability distribution parameters from 1960's-1980's [2]. It is not anticipated that recent incremental changes to our climate will have significantly impacted this broad window of recommended drainage times. Locations considered included:
- Brantford
- Etobicoke
- Hamilton
- Kingston
- London
- Niagara Falls
- Oshawa
- Ottawa
- Peterborough
- Sault Ste Marie
- Thunder Bay
- Toronto
- Trenton
- Windsor
Calculating infiltration practice drainage time[edit]
Try the Darcy drainage time calculator tool for estimating the time required to fully drain the water storage reservoir of the facility assuming either one or three-dimensional drainage:
See also[edit]
Understanding rainfall statistics
- ↑ Aquafor Beech, EarthFX. Runoff Volume Control Targets for Ontario Final Report. 2016:125. https://municipalclassea.ca/files/7_DRAFT_MOECC_LID%20SWM%20Manual.pdf Accessed September 11, 2017.
- ↑ Adams, B. J., and Papa, F. (2000). Urban stormwater management planning with analytical probabilistic models. Wiley.