Abstract
This research examines potential storm water recharge, infiltration, and runoff throughout Hadley Valley Watershed in Rochester, Minnesota. The three most influential properties of infiltration include: Land Use – based on percent impervious surface, Hydrologic Soils – based on permeability and porosity, and Percent Slope – derived from elevation points. These primary factors are selected, classified, and ranked according to their influence on infiltration and runoff. A geographic information system organizes these data layers and clips features to the watershed boundary using ArcGIS 9.1. The vector features are converted to grid and develop a Potential Infiltration Model through a weighted overlay process. This infiltration model identifies and maps current locations and levels of storm water recharge in the watershed. A second model is developed to locate possible storm water best management practices. Locations in proximity to wetlands, sinkholes, other BMP structures, and environmentally sensitive areas are restricted; areas within drinking management supply areas (DWSMA), and some clay soils require testing prior to construction. The BMP Model reveals optimal locations where infiltration ponds and trenches, dry wells, rain gardens, and vegetated swales may be implemented to increase infiltration. A Runoff Model intersects land use and soils and a comparative analysis of the Potential Infiltration Model is completed. Further analysis including: peak runoff rate, time to concentration, and average runoff coefficient are calculated using the intersection of the primary layers. This type of water resource management provides a base hydrological system with benefits for all people, businesses, and ecosystems.