Water Quality and Stormwater Management Publications

Water Quality

• Emerging Issues in Transportation and Water Quality (Video)
  Abstract: This teleconference was targeted for state transportation environmental officials and other transportation and environmental agency employees who are interested in seeing examples of cooperative efforts in the transportation/water quality issues. The conference began with overviews of water quality issues from representatives of the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These overviews were followed by two case studies. Representatives from Pennsylvania's transportation and environmental agencies addressed ways in which they worked together to come up with successful strategies for performing bridge maintenance while protecting water quality. Representatives from Oregon's transportation and environmental agencies discussed their attempts to work together to modify the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits process to apply on a watershed basis rather than a population basis. The broadcast was held May 23, 1995 from The Center for Transportation and the Environment at North Carolina State University.
  Author: Federal Highway Administration
  Publication Year: 1996
  Contact: The Center for Transportation and the Environment

• National Evaluation of Water Quality Issues for Highway Planning
  Abstract: Results of past research on highway stormwater runoff are gathered and synthesized into a single-volume user's manual on water quality impact assessment and mitigation. Paper describes the process by which the synthesis was produced and highlights some preliminary results.
  Author: Fred G. Bank, et al
  Supporting Organization: FHWA, TRB
  Publication Year: 1995

• Water Quality Research Needs in Transportation
  Abstract: Paper highlights a multi-year program of research envisioned by the FHWA to continue the study of water quality associated with highway stormwater runoff. Paper lists proposed studies to examine runoff constituents, monitoring equipment, best management practices, effects on receiving waters, and area-wide impact assessment.
  Author: Fred G. Bank
  Publication Year: 1993

Stormwater/Runoff

• Evaluation of Best Management Practices for Highway Runoff Control, NCHRP Report 565, 2006
  This report focuses on improving the scientific and technical knowledge base for the selection of BMPs through a better understanding of BMP performance and application. This report documents an extensive program of research on the characterization of BMPs and stormwater, and the influence of factors such as land use practice, hydraulic characteristics, regional factors, and performance evaluation. In addition to the report, a CD is affixed to the back cover containing three additional volumes and a spreadsheet model. The additional volumes are : User's Guide for BMP/LID Selection, Appendices to the User's Guide, and Low Impact Development Design Manual for Highway Runoff Control. The report can also be downloaded at:
  http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7184

• The National Highway Runoff and Data Methodology Synthesis, 2003
  Volume 1, FHWA-EP-03-054
  Volume 2, FHWA-EP-03-055
  Volume 3, FHWA-EP-03-056
  Knowledge of the characteristics of highway runoff (concentrations and loads of constituents and the physical and chemical processes that produce this runoff) is important for decisionmakers, planners, and highway engineers to assess and mitigate possible adverse impacts of highway runoff on the Nation's receiving waters. The Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey began the National Highway Runoff Data and Methodology Synthesis to provide a catalog of the pertinent information available; to define the necessary documentation to determine if data are valid (useful for intended purposes), current, and technically supportable; and to evaluate available sources in terms of current and foreseeable information needs.

  This reports describes the NDAMS report-review process, summarizes results of this metadata review process, and provides an interpretation of these results. The evaluation of available literature includes reviews of 252 reports, including 34 literature review or summary reports and 218 detailed reports. Evaluation of many individual documentation elements indicates that the available literature does not properly document research to a degree that would establish that existing data are valid, comparable, or technically defensible for regional or national synthesis. Furthermore, when individual metadata requirements are combined, the proportion of available reports that meet these multiple criteria quickly decreases to the point where regional or national synthesis is not possible. This report has three volumes in a series. The titles of these volumes are:

  • Volume 1 - Technical Issues for Monitoring Highway runoff and Urban Stormwater
  • Volume 2 - Project Documentation
  • Volume 3 - Availability and documentation of published information for synthesis of regional or national highway-runoff quality data

  Author: Gregory Granato
  Publication Year: 2003
  Contact: Department of Transportation Publications Warehouse
  75th Ave, 3341 Q Ardmore East
  Landover, MD 20785
  Tel: 301-322-5377; Fax 301-386-5394

• Stormwater Best Management Practices in an Ultra-Urban Setting: Selection and Monitoring May 2002
  This report builds on recent FHWA manuals by expanding and presenting additional data, design criteria, and monitoring study results on stormwater best management practices (BMPs) implemented in ultra-urban areas. An extensive literature search was performed along with a comprehensive analysis of documented information currently available, with the focus on identifying new and successful technologies for ultra-urban areas. Factors used to identify ultra-urban BMP studies included:

  • limited space available for BMP implementation (less that 1 acre)
  • drainage area imperviousness greater that 50 percent
  • property value of land more than $20 per square foot
  • location of BMP in right-of-way (only available space)
  • existence of build-out conditions at the site (lot-line to lot-line development)

  The purpose of this report is to provide a planning-level review of the applicability and use of new and more traditional BMPs in ultra-urban areas. This report focuses on the unique characteristics specific to ultra-urban settings and provides specific guidance for selecting and siting stormwater management technologies. The information is structured in an informative, user-friendly format, with case studies highlighting examples of BMP monitoring throughout the country and tables illustrating the characteristics of each BMP to facilitate comparison and identification of specific technologies appropriate to a given site. BMP information is provided in fact sheets, which address applicability, effectiveness, siting and design, maintenance, and cost considerations. The report is organized into separate chapters that address ultra-urban considerations, BMP design information tailored to the ultra-urban environment, monitoring program design, and BMP selection.
  Author: Leslie Shoemaker, Mohammed Lahlou, Amy Doll, Patricia Cazenas
  Publication Year: 2002
  Contact: Department of Transportation Publications Warehouse
  75th Ave, 3341 Q Ardmore East
  Landover, MD 20785
  Tel: 301-322-5377; Fax 301-386-5394

• Guidance Manual for Monitoring Highway Runoff Water Quality
  This document provides guidance for selecting and using stormwater runoff monitoring equipment for monitoring of highway runoff. The guidance provided is intended to help achieve stormwater monitoring program goals through the collection of more useful and representative rainfall, flow, and water quality information. Ultimately it is intended to improve monitoring information that will lead to better highway runoff management decision making.
  Author: Eric Strecker, Lynn Mayo, Marcus Quigley, Jim Howell
  Publication Year: 2001
  Contact: The Office of Natural Environment

• Evaluation and Management of Highway Runoff Water Quality (Water Quality Synthesis)
  Abstract: The objective of this manual is to gather and to synthesize the results of past documentation and research on highway stormwater runoff into a single-volume user's manual on water quality assessment and mitigation. The manual will be useful to highway designers and environmental professionals by presenting the available and appropriate impact prediction and mitigation tools for use during highway project planning and development activities. This manual is a self-contained desk reference for highway practitioners with an extensive bibliography.
  Author: G. Kenneth Young, Stuart Stein, Pamela Cole, Traci Kammer, Frank Graziano, Fred Bank
  Publication Year: 1996
  Contact: The Office of Natural Environment

• Is Highway Runoff a Serious Problem? (FHWA Technical Brief)

• Retention, Detention, and Overland Flow for Pollutant Removal from Highway Stormwater Runoff
  Abstract: Provides guidelines for the design of management measures for the removal of pollutants from highway stormwater runoff. Three general types of management measures have been determined to be effective in treating runoff: vegetative controls, detention basins, and retention measures. The guidelines are based on review of other available studies and the results of field and laboratory studies under this study to verify design procedures and assumptions.
  Author: Dorman, M. E., Hartigan, J., and Maestri, B.
  Publication Year: 1996
  Media: Research Report
  Contact: The Office of Natural Environment

• Texas Aquifer Study Offers Clues to Controlling Highway Runoff
  Abstract: Article describes a stormwater runoff and water quality study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation. The study examines runoff pollutants under simulated rainfall conditions. Results used to formulate monitoring and mitigation strategies for potential highway impacts on the Edwards aquifer in the Austin / San Antonio region.
  Author: Ginny Finch
  Supporting Organization: FHWA , EPA
  Publication Year: 1994

Erosion

• Exemplary Erosion Control and Roadside Vegetation Project on the Idaho/Montana State Line
  Abstract: Article describes the use of geo-fabric materials as an erosion control measure in combination with innovative use and installation of native plant species on steep slopes of highly erodible soils.
  Author: Ginny Finch
  Supporting Organization: FHWA, EPA
  Publication Year: 1996

Stream Restoration

• Stream Resotoration Case Studies: The Effect of Highways on Streams
  Six case histories from across the Nation (Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington). These projects successfully protected stream habitats and natural characteristics by careful design and restoration of natural features in the stream channels that had to be relocated due to road construction.
  DVD available from the Office of Natural and Human Environment

• Restoration of Fish Habitat in Relocated Streams
  Abstract: Manual provides guidelines for the design and construction of relocated channels, and describes measures that will lead to rapid recovery of new channels by natural processes.
  Author: Dr. James R. Barton and Mr. Frederick W. Cron
  Publication Year: 1979