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[[File:Pdf image.png|100px|thumb|alt=pdf image|<font size=3>[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=File:Assessing_the_performance_of_bioretention_-_Minnesota_Stormwater_Manual_May_2022.pdf Download pdf]</font size>]]
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[[File:Pdf image.png|100px|thumb|alt=pdf image|<font size=3>[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Special:WhatLinksHere/File:Assessing_the_performance_of_bioretention_-_Minnesota_Stormwater_Manual_feb_2021.pdf Download pdf]</font size>]]
 
[[File:General information page image.png|right|100px|alt=image]]
 
[[File:General information page image.png|right|100px|alt=image]]
 
[[File:Bioretention filled.png|thumb|300px|alt=photo of bioretention with water|<font size=3>A properly functioning bioretention practice should drain within 48 hours of a runoff event</font size>]]
 
[[File:Bioretention filled.png|thumb|300px|alt=photo of bioretention with water|<font size=3>A properly functioning bioretention practice should drain within 48 hours of a runoff event</font size>]]
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Level 1 activities do not produce numerical performance data that could be used to obtain a stormwater management <span title="The stormwater runoff volume or pollutant reduction achieved toward meeting a runoff volume or water quality goal."> [https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Overview_of_stormwater_credits '''credit (stormwater credit)''']</span>.  BMP owners and operators who are interested in using data obtained from Levels 2 and 3 should consult with the MPCA or other regulatory agency to determine if the results are appropriate for credit calculations.  Level 4, monitoring, is the method most frequently used for assessment of the performance of a BMP.
 
Level 1 activities do not produce numerical performance data that could be used to obtain a stormwater management <span title="The stormwater runoff volume or pollutant reduction achieved toward meeting a runoff volume or water quality goal."> [https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Overview_of_stormwater_credits '''credit (stormwater credit)''']</span>.  BMP owners and operators who are interested in using data obtained from Levels 2 and 3 should consult with the MPCA or other regulatory agency to determine if the results are appropriate for credit calculations.  Level 4, monitoring, is the method most frequently used for assessment of the performance of a BMP.
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The adjacent table summarizes the four levels of assessment.
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{{:Levels of assessment for stormwater best management practices (stormwater control measures)}}
  
 
Use these links to obtain detailed information on the following topics related to BMP performance monitoring:
 
Use these links to obtain detailed information on the following topics related to BMP performance monitoring:
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Links to pages discussing assessment of other BMPs can be found at [http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Category:Assessing_performance this page].
 
Links to pages discussing assessment of other BMPs can be found at [http://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Category:Assessing_performance this page].
  
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[[Category:Bioretention]]
 
 
[[Category:Level 3 - Best management practices/Structural practices/Bioretention‏‎]]
 
[[Category:Level 3 - Best management practices/Structural practices/Bioretention‏‎]]
 
[[Category:Level 3 - Best management practices/Specifications and details/Assessing performance]]
 
[[Category:Level 3 - Best management practices/Specifications and details/Assessing performance]]
 
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Latest revision as of 15:22, 27 December 2022

image
photo of bioretention with water
A properly functioning bioretention practice should drain within 48 hours of a runoff event
Green Infrastructure: Bioretention practices can be an important tool for retention and detention of stormwater runoff. Because they utilize vegetation, bioretention practices provide additional benefits, including cleaner air, carbon sequestration, improved biological habitat, and aesthetic value.

Bioretention practices include biofiltration and bioinfiltration best management practices. Biofiltration (bioretention with underdrains) is designed to retain solids and associated pollutants by filtering. A typical method for assessing the performance of of BMPs with underdrains is therefore measuring and comparing pollutant concentrations at the influent and effluent. Bioinfiltration (bioretention bmp without underdrains) are more difficult to assess, although considering only potential impacts to surface waters, a properly functioning infiltration system is considered to be highly performing.

An online manual for assessing BMP treatment performance was developed in 2010 by Andrew Erickson, Peter Weiss, and John Gulliver from the University of Minnesota and St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory. The manual advises on a four-level process to assess the performance of a Best Management Practice.

  • Level 1: Visual Inspection. This includes assessments for infiltration practices and for filtration practices. The website includes links to a downloadable checklist.
  • Level 2: Capacity Testing. Level 2 testing can be applied to both infiltration and filtration practices.
  • Level 3: Synthetic Runoff Testing for infiltration and filtration practices. Synthetic runoff test results can be used to develop an accurate characterization of pollutant retention or removal, but can be limited by the need for an available water volume and discharge.
  • Level 4: Monitoring for infiltration or filtration practices

Level 1 activities do not produce numerical performance data that could be used to obtain a stormwater management credit (stormwater credit). BMP owners and operators who are interested in using data obtained from Levels 2 and 3 should consult with the MPCA or other regulatory agency to determine if the results are appropriate for credit calculations. Level 4, monitoring, is the method most frequently used for assessment of the performance of a BMP.

The adjacent table summarizes the four levels of assessment.

Levels of assessment for stormwater best management practices (stormwater control measures)
Link to this table

Level Title Objectives Relative Typical elapsed time Advantages Disadvantages
1 Visual Inspection Determine if stormwater BMP is malfunctioning 1 1 day Quick, inexpensive Limited knowledge gained
2 Capacity testing Determine infiltration or sedimentation capacity and rates 10 1 week Less expensive, no equipment left in field Limited to infiltration and sedimentation capacity/rates, uncertainties can be substantial
3 Simulated runoff testing Determine infiltration rates, capacity, and pollutant removal performance 10-100 1 week to 1 month Controlled experiments, more accurate with fewer tests required for statistical significance as compared to monitoring, no equipment left in field Cannot be used without sufficient water supply, limited scope
4 Monitoring Determine infiltration rates, capacity, and pollutant removal performance 400 14 months Most comprehensive. Assess stormwater BMP within watershed without modeling Uncertainty in results due to lack of control and number of variables, equipment left in field


Use these links to obtain detailed information on the following topics related to BMP performance monitoring:

Additional information on designing a monitoring network and performing field monitoring are found at this link.

Related pages

Links to pages discussing assessment of other BMPs can be found at this page.

This page was last edited on 27 December 2022, at 15:22.