Protocols for Studying Wet Weather Impacts and Urbanization Patterns

This research explored the relationship of urbanization to ecology in the wadeable streams of developing watersheds. The researchers developed a protocol, which urban stormwater management agencies can use to prevent ecologic deterioration that occurs in urban streams as a watershed develops. The protocol comprises an eight-step process that involves data collection and analysis, integrated with mathematical modeling of runoff from existing and proposed urban development to determine how biologic health indices respond to urbanization of a watershed. Stormwater managers can apply this protocol to assist them in developing urban runoff management rules and design criteria with some assurance that the resulting development will minimize negative impacts on the ecology of receiving streams. 186 pages. Soft cover and online PDF. (2008)