Engineering Commons^™

Climate And Landscape Controls On Seasonal Water Balance At The Watershed Scale, Xi Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main goal of this dissertation is to develop a seasonal water balance model for evaporation, runoff and water storage change based on observations from a large number of watersheds, and further to obtain a comprehensive understanding on the dominant physical controls on intra-annual water balance. Meanwhile, the method for estimating evaporation and water storage based on recession analysis is improved by quantifying the seasonal pattern of the partial contributing area and contributing storage to base flow during low flow seasons. A new method for quantifying seasonality is developed in this research. The difference between precipitation and soil water storage …

Modeling Annual Water Balance In The Seasonal Budyko Framework, Negin Alimohammadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the role of soil water storage change on the annual water balance is evaluated based on observations at a large number of watersheds located in a spectrum of climate regions, and an annual water balance model is developed at the seasonal scale based on Budyko hypthesis. The annual water storage change is quantified based on water balance closure given the available data of precipitation, runoff, and evaporation estimated from remote sensing data and meteorology reanalysis. The responses of annual runoff, evaporation, and storage change to the interannual variability of precipitation and potential evaporation are then analyzed. Both …

Innovative Pollutant Load Monitoring, Eric Gurr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Modern streamflow measuring equipment, water quality sampling techniques and a better understanding of pollutant washoff are continuously being developed as today's society is in critical need of improving water management, minimizing developmental impacts and preventing environmental hazards. In particular, the study of the spatial, temporal and volumetric characteristics of annual pollutant loading caused by variations in precipitation, land use and other anthropogenic factors is of great significance due to their relation to future global water demands. The research presented here falls in three parts. In the first part of the dissertation, an acoustical Doppler velocity profiler installed in a submerged …

Field Implementation Of Polyacrylamide For Runoff From Construction Sites, Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is often used a part of a treatment train for the treatment of stormwater to reduce its turbidity. This study investigated the application of PAM within various treatment systems for a construction site environment. The general concept is to introduce hydraulic principles when placing PAM blocks within an open channel in order to yield high mixing energies leading to high turbidity removal efficiency. The first part of the study observed energy variation using a hydraulic flume for three dissimilar configurations. The flume was ultimately used to determine which configuration would be most beneficial when transposed into field-scale conditions. …

A 24-Hour Rainfall Distribution And Peak Rate Factors For Use In Southwest Florida, Geoffrey S. Dendy

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to derive a design 24-hour duration rainfall distribution for use in southwest Florida, and peak rate factors for use in the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) unit hydrograph method for two watersheds, also in the southwest Florida area. The rainfall distribution is derived by applying a least squares polynomial curve fitting technique to National Weather Service hourly rainfall data collected in the study area. The screening criteria for data included in the curve fitting procedure are: storm duration of 18 to 26 hours, at least three inches of rainfall volume, and peak intensity period falling …

The Hydrology And Solids Removal Efficiency Of A Detention Pond With Groundwater Inflow, Cameron A. Boss

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Most recently, research on stormwater detention ponds has focused on designs and operations that will improve the water quality of the discharge. Historically stormwater detention ponds were used to reduce the rate of runoff from the watershed area of using temporary storage to attenuate flow rates.

The study site was located near Orlando, Florida, and consisted of a detention pond, namely Lake Angel, which received stormwater runoff from a 131-acre area. Hydrologic data such as precipitation, runoff, and pond outflow were measured at the site. Total and suspended solids data for the pond outflow and stormwater runoff also were collected …

Fate Of Heavy Metals From Highway Runoff In Stormwater Management Systems, Harvey H. Harper

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The movement and fate of heavy metal inputs (Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr) from highway runoff were investigated in a three-year study on 1.3 hectare retention facility near the Maitland Interchange on Interstate 4, north of Orlando, Florida. Physical characteristics of the retention pond and surrounding watershed were defined and field instrumentation was installed. Stormwater samples were collected over a one-year period, representing a wide range of intensities and antecedent dry periods. Stormwater characteristics were compared with average retention pond water quality to determine removal efficiencies for heavy metals within the pond. A total of …

Transformation Of Nitrogen In Highway Runoff Management Systems, Robert D. Tolbert

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The operation and maintenance of highways contributes a variety of pollutants to surface and subsurface waters. Solids, heavy metals, nutrients, oil and grease, pesticides and bacteria can all be associated with highway runoff. Although the full extent of the effect of all of these runoff constituents upon the quality of surrounding waters is not well defined, this study will mainly concentrate on nutrient contaminants (essentially nitrogen). The last decade has seen increasing efforts in research and development to abate contaminant discharges from highway runoff using a number of treatment facilities such as retention/detention basins, swales and wetland systems. An evaluation …

Highway Runoff And Sediment Control, Susanna H. Rehmann-Koo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A literature survey was conducted on the erosion and sedimentation process and techniques for control. Erosion and sediment control techniques were found to be very site specific. Several techniques are analyzed for their maintenance and operation requirements, construction costs, and effectiveness in quantity and quality control. Once technique, namely swale blocks or berms was designed and constructed to illustrate cost and effectiveness. Design aids were developed for various berm heights and highway slopes as a function of berm spacing for typical highway cross-sections to aid in the design of swale blocks. Construction costs were estimated for the berms and retention/detention …

Transformation Of Phosphorus In Highway Runoff Management Systems, David B. Pearce

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The operation and maintenance of highways contributes a variety of pollutants to surface and subsurface waters. Solids, heavy metals, nutrients, oil and grease, pesticides and bacteria can all be associated with highway runoff. Although the full extent of the effect of all these runoff constituents upon the quality of surrounding waters is not well defined, this study will mainly concentrate on nutrient contaminants (essentially phosphorus). The last decade has seen increasing efforts in research and development to abate contaminant discharges from highway runoff using a number of treatment facilities such as swale and detention/retention ponds. An evaluation of the effectiveness …

Biotoxicity Of Highway Runoff Metals To Gambusia, John M. Bateman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A research study was conducted to examine the relationship between speciation of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) and their biotoxicity. Therefore, static bioassay experiments were designed to determine LC-50 values for those metals on mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. The standard bioassay scheme consisted of twelve 16-liter all-glass aquaria that provided duplicates of five different metal concentrations and a control for each run. Deionized tap water and filtered retention/detention water from Maitland Pond were used for bioassays. The effects of various physiochemical parameters such as pH, alkalinity, hardness and organic complexation on metal toxicity were determined. Also, synergistic and antagonistic effects …

Evaluation Of Swale Design, David E. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Swales are designed to infiltrate runoff from intermittent storm events. Present design methodologies have resulted in swales which operate under several conditions; these conditions are soil, vegetation, climatic and geographical location dependent. To attain a swale design which considers and accounts for the important factors under Florida conditions, adequate assessment of rainfall, overland, flow, infiltration and soil moisture must be given priority treatment. Several roadside and residential swales were studied and relationships were drawn for soil moisture, porosity and infiltration rates. A design methodology is included and computer modeling infiltration aids in the design.

Heavy Metals In Floodplains Receiving Highway Bridge Runoff, Elizabeth T. Skene

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was supported by SUS/STAR to investigate the fate of heavy metals in bridge runoff which are received by surrounding floodplains. Three bridge sites in Central Florida were selected and various locations in each site were sampled. Soil, plant, and water samples were analyzed for Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr. Statistical analysis of results for heavy metal content of plants and soils at control versus bridge sampling areas were conducted. In agreement with other investigators, Pb was found to be a good indicator of highway pollution in soil, plants and water. Possible mechanisms for metal sorption …

Smada: Stormwater Management And Design Aid, Timothy M. Curran

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The Stormwater Management and Design Aid (SMADA) is a computer model formulated to assess stormwater runoff quantity and quality. Applicable theory is reviewed to introduce a discussion of the modeling methodology. A pre- vs. post-development design objective can be incorporated to evaluate runoff quantity and quality for single or multiple land use watershed. Detention and retention facilities are considered and conveyance systems for runoff transmission can be sized. Initial design assessments and consistent design review and evaluation are possible. SMADA is written in the BASIC language and is executed in the interactive mode. No computer cards are required and data …

Ecological Responses Of Lake Eola To Urban Runoff, Harvey H. Harper Iii

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Lake Eola is a land-locked lake located in downtown Orlando, Florida. Its surface area is approximately 27.0 acres (11.0 Ha) and water depth is 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) near the shore and 22 feet (6.7 meters) toward the center. Periodical water samples were collected from the lake and storm drains for various stormwater events and physiochemical parameters were analyzed to calculated loading rates from nutrients and heavy metals released to Lake Eola. Algal bioassay studies were performed to investigate stormwater impacts on productivity. Periodical water samples were collected from the lake mixed and filtered for limiting …

Optimization Of Stormwater Management Practices And Processes, Mark Michael Calabrese

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, stormwater has been found to be a major source of pollution to receiving waters. Major research efforts have been directed in this area, primarily as a result of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and Public law 92-500, the 1972 Amendments to the act. Yet, a need remains for more data in the field of stormwater management. Such needs include cost-performance data and planning methodologies to optimally select best management practices (BMP's). The research culminating in this report addresses these needs. A computer program, "MANAGE", has been written to generate cost/efficiency curves, and uses these curves to …

Sensitivity Analysis Of Stormwater Runoff Using The "Bmp" And "Nonpt" Computer Programs, George D. Flatt

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Infiltration In Stormwater Detention/ Percolation Basin Design, Robert David Beaver

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Investigations of soil parameters, infiltration testing, and storm observations are used to determine the infiltration characteristics for three Central Florida stormwater holding basins. Basic soil parameters are investigated and a value for available soil water storage is computed from these data. In-situ permeability and infiltration tests are used to obtain field permeability and infiltration rates. Infiltration test results may be applied to infiltration theory. Data from infiltration tests may be verified using available soil water storage computed from soil parameters. The effect of soil cover conditions is noted and investigated using the drum infiltrometer. Storm observations are used to confirm …

Stormwater Runoff From Shopping Centers, Thomas P. Donigan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This is a brief investigation of stormwater runoff from a large shopping center located in Brevard County, Florida. Merritt Square Shopping Center has a parking area for 4,700 automobiles and is located on the shore of Newfound Harbor which is classified as recreation waters (Class III). A literature survey of runoff studies in other areas has been made for both "state of the art" and evaluation of findings. Water samples were initially collected from five locations. Review of the analysis of these samples indicated that while color and turbidity appeared to decrease linearly with time, organic and inorganic concentrations did …

An Application Of "Storm" Mathematical Modeling For Evaluation Of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution For A Nonurban Watershed, John T. Izzo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Today, the engineer is faced with the task of predicting and evaluating the extent of the Nonpoint Sources that pollute our waterways. A mathematical model may be an extremely useful tool in helping the engineer solve problems in the area of water resources. During the course of this investigation, a literature survey related to the Econlockhatchee River Basin and to the "STORM" mathematical modeling technique for runoff evaluation has been conducted. The latter part of this report deals with an application of the "STORM" mathematical model for predicting quantity and quality of surface runoff for the Econlockhatchee River Basin located …