Publication (Technical report): Urban Stormwater and the Ecology of Streams

Publication Type:	Technical report / Consultancy
Publication Name:	Urban Stormwater and the Ecology of Streams

Reference Information

Walsh, C.J., Leonard, A.W., Ladson, A.R. and Fletcher, T.D. (2004) Urban Stormwater and the Ecology of Streams, CRCFE, Canberra, p 44.

Optional Information

Attached document(s):

Urban stormwater and the ecology of streams

by
Christopher J. Walsh, Alex W. Leonard (Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, and Water Studies Centre, Monash University Vic 3800)
and
Anthony R. Ladson, Tim D. Fletcher (Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, and Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Monash University Vic 3800)

This very readable report explains why urban stormwater degrades the ecological condition of urban streams, during dry, rainy and very wet conditions, but most importantly following just a little rain.

It shows how a new approach (reducing the effective imperviousness of an urban catchment, using water sensitive urban design (WSUD)) can lessen the damaging effect of urban stormwater. WSUD, a suite of approaches now being used by stormwater managers and planners to intercept and treat urban water, can be applied at scales ranging from ‘at-source’ (intercepting water at the houseblock or roadside) to ‘end-of-pipe’.

Improving the ecological condition of urban streams will most likely require widespread use of 'at-source' interception.

The report should help its readers understand how to manage rainfall and stormwater using WSUD within their own areas of responsibility, whether that area be a houseblock or a suburb.

(1 Mb)

Related project(s):
D.210: Urbanisation and the Ecological Function of Streams

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