Designers need to carefully think through many factors to choose the most appropriate, effective and feasible practice(s) at a development site that will best meet local and state stormwater objectives. This page presents a flexible approach to Best Management Practices (BMP) selection that allows a stormwater manager to select those BMPs most able to address an identified problem. Selecting an inappropriate BMP for a site could lead to adverse resource impacts, friction with regulators if a BMP does not work as anticipated, misperceptions about stormwater control success, and wasted time and money. Careful selection of BMPs will prevent negative impacts resulting from installing the wrong BMP at the wrong location. Regulators can similarly use these matrices to check on the efficiency of proposed BMPs.

Using the manual to select BMPs

This Manual uses a “functional components approach” wherein basic BMP components are selected and pieced together to achieve a desired outcome. For example, if a BMP is needed to reduce peak discharge and remove sediment, stormwater ponds can be selected as the BMP and the actual design components are then assembled based upon the material presented in the design guidance for stormwater ponds. In this case, a pond with a specific outflow rate and sufficient water quality storage is designed to meet both functions according to state design criteria. This approach limits the inclusion of numerous individual BMP sheets in favor of categorical sheets with design variations included on each sheet. This should be a more user-friendly way of defining how BMPs can be designed to solve a particular problem.

BMP lists follow a simple-to-more complex treatment train sequence, one that starts with on-site pollution prevention and works upward in complexity to wetland systems. The list of treatment supplements is a compilation of additional measures that could be used to enhance treatment either before or after more complex BMP use.

Information on BMPs can be found in the individual sections for bioretention, filtration (see Swales or Sand filters), infiltration (see Infiltration trench or Infiltration basin), stormwater ponds, stormwater wetlands, trees, green roofs, turf, and permeable pavement. Sections on pollution prevention, better site design/LID, runoff minimization (see Stormwater re-use and rainwater harvesting) and temporary construction runoff control practices include some descriptive language but do not include engineering details. Sections on treatment supplements will similarly not contain detailed engineering, but will describe a process that designers should follow when considering the use of proprietary devices, inserts and chemical/biological treatment.

The beginning stormwater manager or a designer unfamiliar with the many BMPs available might have some questions on which BMP or group of BMPs to include in a treatment scheme. A matrix can be developed to serve as a screening tool to get the user going on BMP selection. The matrix contains a list of BMPs contained in this Manual and a corresponding list of use assessment parameters to help narrow the wide range of potential BMPs for a particular project. A user will need to have some objectives in mind to extract information from the matrix, but once into the matrix, selection of BMPs based on either positive or negative factors will be possible.

Information: The following matrix consists of images taken from the 2006 Minnesota Stormwater Manual. Information from the table has been placed into a File:BMP recommended practices.xls for ADD compliance and for users wishing to access the information in the images.

Best management practices matrix
Link to this table

Recommended best management practices
Pollution prevention Pollution prevention Municipal
Industrial commercial
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Inspect & maintain
Minimize runoff Reduce volume Better site design
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Minimize runoff Increase recharge Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Minimize runoff Improve water quality Better site design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipall
Industrial commercial
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Inspect & maintain
Filtration Vegetative
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Minimize runoff Reduce costs Better site design
Temporary construction sediment control Pre-construction
Local feasibility Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Cold climate Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Municipal
Industrial commercial
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetlandd
Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Temporary construction sediment control Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Municipal
Industrial commercialtd>
Temporary construction sediment control Pre-construction
Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Inspect & maintain
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatments Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Watershed factors Lakes Better site design
Pollution preventionn Residential
Municipal
Industrial commercial
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration
Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Watershed factors Trout resources Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Drainageway
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial rechargee
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Watershed factors Drinking water Better site design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Watershed factors Wetlands (calcareous fens) Better Site Design
Bioretention Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Watershed factors Impaired waters Better site design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Bioretention Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Climate and terrain Active karst Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Slope
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Constructed wetland Shallow wetland
Low infiltration soil Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Climate and terrain High snowfall Pollution prevention Municipal
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Slope
Drainageway
Inspect & maintain
Bioretention Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Infiltration Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Low rainfall Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Stormwater treatment suitability Recharge Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Water quality Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Industrial commercial
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Inspect & maintain
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Stormwater treatment suitability Channel protection Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Municipal
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Stormwater treatment suitability Peak discharge Pollution prevention Municipal
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Slope
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
PSHc [[Better site design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Industrial commercial
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Physical feasibility Soils Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Elevation difference Bioretention Filtration
Depth to rock Better Site Design
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Supplemental treatment Hydrodynamic devices
Physical feasibility Depth to water table Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Supplemental treatment Hydrodynamic devices
Site slope Better Site Design
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Physical feasibility Ultra-urban Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration rechargee
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Underground system
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devicess
Community and environment Ease of maintenance Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Filtration Vegetative
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Community acceptance Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Perimeter
Slope
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Community and environment Construction cost Better Site Design
Temporary construction sediment control Pre-construction
Perimeter
Filtration Vegetative
Habitat quality Better Site Design
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Nuisance Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Location-specific restrictions and setbacks Pollution prevention Municipal
Temporary construction sediment control Drainageway
Knowledge of performance and reliability Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Municipal
Industrial commercialtd>
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Inspect & maintain
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Stormwater ponds Stormwater ponds
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Conditional best management practices
Pollution prevention Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Minimize runoff Reduce volume Bioretention Filtration
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Minimize runoff Increase recharge Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Minimize runoff Improve water quality Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Minimize runoff Reduce costs Pollution prevention Residential
Municipal
Industrial commercial
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Inspect & maintain
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Minimize runoff Local feasibility Pollution prevention Industrial commercial
Minimize runoff Cold climate Pollution prevention Residential
Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Minimize runoff Land use Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Bioretention Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Temporary construction sediment control Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Watershed factors Lakes Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Trout resources Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Drinking water Pollution preventions Industrial commercial
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Filtration Vegetative
Wetlands (calcareous fens) Runoff minimization Infiltration recharge
Bioretention Volume reduction
Impaired waters Pollution prevention Industrial commercial
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Climate and terrain Active karst Better Site Design
Temporary construction sediment control Drainageway
Otherb
Bioretention Filtration partial recharge
Stormwater ponds Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Fractured bedrock/shallow soil Better Site Design
Low infiltration soil Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
High snowfallt Better Site Design
Pollution prevention Industrial commercial
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Low rainfall Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Stormwater treatment suitability Recharge Temporary construction sediment control Slope
Drainageway
Otherb
Filtration Vegetative
Water quality Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Capture and re-use
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Dry well
Underground system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Stormwater treatment suitability Channel protection Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Infiltration trench
Dry wellh
Underground system
Peak discharge Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
PSHc Better Site Design
Bioretention Filtration
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Physical feasibility Surface area Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Soils Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Temporary construction sediment control Slope
Depth to water table Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Site slope Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Filtratione
Community and environment Ease of maintenance Pollution prevention Industrial commercial
Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Pond wetland system
Supplemental treatment Hydrodynamic devices
Pollution prevention Industrial commercial
Industrial commercial
Habitat quality Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Nuisance Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Ease of maintenance Stormwater ponds With extended detention
With extended detention
Location-specific restrictions and setbacks Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Knowledge of performance and reliability Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Temporary construction sediment control Otherb
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Sensitivity to improper construction and poor maintenances Better Site Design
Runoff minimization Capture and re-use
Bioretention Filtration
Filtration Vegetative
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Not recommended best management practices
Temporary construction sediment control Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Watershed factors Trout resources Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Climate and terrain Active karst Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Fractured bedrock/shallow soil Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Low infiltration soil Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Underground system
Stormwater treatment suitability PSHc Infiltration Bioretention
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Dry well
Underground system
Physical feasibility Surface area Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Drainage area Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Soils Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Depth to rock Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Depth to water table Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Ultra-urban Stormwater ponds With extended detention
Without extended detention
Without extended detention
Constructed wetlands Shallow wetland
ED shallow wetland
Pond wetland system
Community and environment Ease of maintenance Filtration Media (sand)
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Community acceptance Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Construction cost Filtration Media (sand)
Vegetative
Infiltration Infiltration trench
Underground system
Supplemental treatment Chemical biological treatment
Chemical biological treatment
Habitat quality Filtration Media (sand)
Infiltration Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Supplemental treatment Filtration devices
Hydrodynamic devices
Sensitivity to improper construction and poor maintenance Runoff minimization Volume reduction
Temporary construction sediment control Perimeter
Slope
Drainageway
Bioretention Infiltration recharge
Filtration partial recharge
Infiltration filtration recharge
Infiltration Infiltration basin
Infiltration trench
Dry well
Underground system
Supplemental treatmentn Hydrodynamic devices

aI/C = Industrial commercial
bIncludes drainage inlets, trees, waterbodies
cPSH = potential stormwater hotspot
dCondition = recommended with conditions



image of a table illustrating recommended and non-recommended practices associated with BMPs for different use assessments (e.g. volume reduction, cold climate suitability, appropriateness for lakes, etc.).

-->