Minnesota Stormwater Manual test page 5 Revision as of 18:45, 23 August 2016 by PLeegar (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Minnesota Stormwater Manual test page 5

Warning: This page is an edit and testing page use by the wiki authors. It is not a content page for the Manual. Information on this page may not be accurate and should not be used as guidance in managing stormwater.

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure, as defined from a stormwater perspective, refers to “treating” and / or reducing the volume of stormwater runoff with infrastructure that mimics, restores or maintains natural hydrology. Green infrastructure methods have many benefits beyond stormwater but from a stormwater point of view, the goal is to restore and maintain good water quality.

For millions of years, natural hydrology maintained excellent water quality on earth. As human civilizations organized into more densely populated settlements stormwater management became more of a necessity. As population density continued to increase, stormwater was increasingly managed by so called grey infrastructure (pipes, gutters, culverts, etc.) The natural hydrology was modified by introducing impervious surfaces, channelizing streams /rivers, deforestation, draining wetlands, exposing pollutants to the runoff, and the like. As a result, the water quality has suffered to the extent we have now.

This portal has links to numerous articles relating to various aspects of using natural hydrologic methods to preserve and restore good water quality. In other words, this portal is about providing information about the use of green infrastructure.