Over the past several years we've heard from people suggesting they be notified when updates are made to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual. We have also identified several stormwater management concerns and felt that focused communication on these specific issues might be useful. We therefore decided that periodic emails to subscribers would be one way of notifying practitioners about updates to the Manual and focus on specific stormwater issues. Emails are sent periodically, roughly every 6-12 weeks.

The emails contain only a short description of updates and other information. This page provides more detailed information. It is organized by the approximate dates when emails are sent to subscribers. We welcome recommendations for featured topics and links to case studies and other items of information. Please contact Mike Trojan at the MPCA..

Subscribe to the email list here.

June 21, 2021

image of street sweeper
Image courtesy Sarah Hobbie, University of Minnesota

Updates to the Manual (June 2021)

What are we working on (June 2021)

  • Street sweeping: We are developing guidance on street sweeping (e.g. when and where to sweep, costs, managing sweeping wastes, etc.) and that should be available in early summer. We also expect to provide information on how to incorporate sweeping into the MIDS Calculator.
  • Engineered media: We continue to populate the Manual with information on engineered media, including amendments and materials in engineered media. This is a significant project and will continue through the summer. We continue to work closely with University of Minnesota researchers working on bioretention media. Most recently we have added information on wood chips and calcium-based water treatment residuals. Click on this link for more information.
  • Green infrastructure: A long-term project to improve information on Green Stormwater Infrastructure in the Manual started earlier this year. We recently added some case studies and anticipate having information on O&M this summer.
  • Vegetation: Another long-term project to improve information in the Manual, this work has only recently started and is in a scoping phase to identify information needs on the topic of vegetation in stormwater practices.
  • Managing stormwater media waste: By this summer we expect to have information on disposal and management of engineered media used in stormwater applications, focused primarily on bioretention media.

Featured article - Pretreatment (June 2021)

The Minnesota Construction Stormwater Permit requires pretreatment for filtration and infiltration practices. Forebays or other pretreatment practices are highly recommended for constructed stormwater ponds. The permit, however, does not specify the type of or sizing for pretreatment practices. We are discovering that many stormwater best management practices (bmps, also often called stormwater control measures or scms) are not performing as designed, often due to heavy sediment loads to the bmp and to poor design.

Proper pretreatment can extend the life and improve performance of downstream bmps. But we frequently hear stories about inadequate or improperly designed pretreatment. This is unfortunate, since the Manual contains a wealth of information on pretreatment. For example, did you know the Manual contains the following?

Below are examples of some design issues that have been brought to our attention.

  • Shallow sumps showing up on plans (2’ or 3’ sumps no matter what the pipe sizes are or diameter of the manhole). It would seem unlikely 3’ sumps would function the same for 24 inch, 30 inch or larger inlet pipes as they would for a 10” or 12” or 15” pipe. Same issue goes for diameter of the structure. Much deeper sumps would seem to be required for larger inlet pipes.
  • Hoods or skimmer devices are being placed over the outlet pipe which would seem to completely change or nullify the function of a baffle. Stormwater is supposed to flow “unimpeded” from inlet to outlet as tested. Besides effecting the hydraulic flow, trash and floatables will build up and likely negatively impact the baffle function.

Regarding the SAFL Baffle

    • 2 inlet pipes coming in at 180 degrees with the water meeting in the middle where the baffle is located. This design was never tested that I am aware of nor would it work since the SAFL is meant to have water flowing from one side to the other and out.
    • I have seen just a grate inlet with water coming from above which would not work either.
    • The most current poor design has 4 inlet pipes coming in at different angles.

We realize, however, this information could be better organized and made more accessible. So, we hope to execute a work order this summer to better organize the information on pretreatment. You can help by providing the following (NOTE: We cannot endorse or promote specific commercial products, processes, or services).

  • Examples (case studies) of good and bad pretreatment practices you are finding
  • Photos
  • Comments and suggestions for improving information on pretreatment

Some other stuff of interest (June 2021)

Take the pretreatment quiz