Impact of Impervious Surfaces
On This page:
Stormwater Mgmt System and Flood Control of Impervious Surfaces
This video explains how the stormwater management system is designed to control flood water.
Impervious Surfaces and Flooding
USGS Water Science School
How Impervious Surface Impacts Stream Health
Maryland Dept of Natural Resources
Hydraulic, Water-Quality, and Temperature Performance of Three Types of Permeable Pavement under High Sediment Loading Conditions
USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5037
About Permeable Pavements and Asphalts:
"Permeable pavements and asphalts are effective solutions for controlling runoff and some types of pollutants. However, they are expensive to install and maintain, so areas in which they are to be cost-effective need to be carefully selected. They tend to have some of the highest dollar per pound of nutrient pollution removal of most nutrient management practices ranging all the way from forested buffers to septic system elimination. However, they certainly have their place, especially for flood control, which through its reduction in erosive energy of streams, reduces pollution itself. Permeable surfaces can trap oils and greases and some phosphorus but I frankly don't have data on how much they trap to share. Nitrogen tends to move through it. However, advances in the application of biochar could improve the effectiveness of pavement design for nitrogen retention. Some examples of where permeable surfaces have been used locally are permeable asphalt in Bethany Beach and in the Center's parking lot at the inlet, and recently with pavers in Dewey Beach. Permeable pavers have been in use for years. In summary, it is currently regarded as an important option for flood and pollutant control for areas that have few other options availalbe and that have flooding concerns in particular. " - Chris Bason