Maximizing the quantity and quality of water recharging aquifers is essential in ensuring a healthy and sustainable environment.

This webpage was developed to assist in assessing alternative storm water runoff management techniques to achieve this goal.

Best Management Practices - Learn appropriate uses, basic design concepts, mechanisms, and installation techniques for each practice. Bioretention - Also referred to as Rain Garden Porous Pavement - Also referred to as Pervious Pavement Infiltration Trench - Also referred to as Infiltration Galley Wet Detention Pond - Also referred to as Extended Detention Pond, Pocket Pond, Retention Basin, Retention Pond, Storm Water Pond, Water Reuse Pond, Wetpool Grassed Swale and Filter Strip - Also referred to as Biofilter, Dry Swale, Grassed Channel, Grassed Filter, Grassed Filter Strip, Vegetated Filter Strip, Vegetated Swale, Wet Swale Rain Barrel - Also referred to as Cistern, Underground Collection Tank, Subterranean Tank

Comparison Table - View and compare the abilities and limitations of each management practice in a simplified chart.

Decision Flow Chart - Answer questions to determine the management practices that best suit a specific site.

Cost Considerations - Explore costs associated with each novel practice and compare with conventional practices.

Native Vegetation - Find Great Lakes Region specific native vegetation for use in management practices, courtesy of JFNew. Native Plant Zones Popular Native Plant Species Native Trees and Shrubs

Additional Water Quality Links - Storm water BMP research has reported a wide variety of findings for the capacity of the treatments to remove pollutants. The links below are additional resources with varying results that should be evaluated before adopting any design. International Stormwater Best Management Practices Database Civil Engineering News: Storm Water Test Results Permit Side-by-Side Comparisons of BMPS (PDF)

Acknowledgements

Becky Larson, Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University.
Daniel Farhey, Civil & Environmental Eng. & Eng. Mech., University of Dayton.
Steven Safferman, Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University.
JFNew:  www.jfnew.com