Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 3:45 PM
466

Water quality in headwater streams: A test of best management practices

Jonathan W. Holley1, Gregory S. Hancock2, and Randolph M. Chambers1. (1) Biology, College of William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187, (2) Geology, College of William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187

Urban stormwater runoff carries many types of pollutants that affect both the diversity and abundance of aquatic organisms.  Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) were developed to temporarily retain and treat urban runoff before entering nearby streams.  Stormwater retention ponds are the most common type of BMP, with nearly 500 ponds throughout James City County, VA.  Stormwater management, however, has outpaced the science: the level of water quality improvement associated with retention ponds is for the most part unknown in this region.  Our studies determining water and pollutant budgets for retention ponds during storms have documented 1) underperformance with respect to water retention, and 2) variable pollutant removal efficiencies, leading to observed differences in macroinvertebrate communities downstream.  Retention pond performance can be improved with specific attention to both structural and functional design criteria.


Web Page: stormwater, water quality, macroinvertebrates

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