Constructed Wetlands for Stormwater Management

Report No: 98-R35

Published in 1998

About the report:

This report presents the results of research to evaluate the potential of utilizing mitigated wetlands as stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). Results of wetland monitoring, wetland modeling, and geographic information system (GIS) development are presented. Average removal rates as high as 90% for total suspended solids (TSS), 65% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 70% for total phosphorus (TP) and orthophosphate (OP), and 50% for zinc (Zn) were observed at study sites. Despite having stormwater runoff as a primary water source, the monitored sites supported apparently healthy and diverse vegetation, and a variety of wildlife. A mathematical model of transport of a pollutant in dissolved and particulate forms in a two segment, two-state system was developed. The model includes settling, diffusion, adsorption to plant and substrate, and vegetative uptake mechanisms. A GIS was developed to improve management of existing mitigated wetlands and to aid in siting of future mitigation sites. A link between a watershed model and this GIS is also described. The report concludes that mitigated wetlands may be as effective as conventional BMPs at improving the quality and at controlling the quantity of highway storm runoff.

Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

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Last updated: December 15, 2023

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