Stormwater Hydrology is an introductory course on surface and stream hydrology and water quality. A focus of the course is on the effect of local land use changes and urbanization on runoff, stream flow and stream chemistry. Real data obtained by previous classes in local tributaries to Spring Creek are used to interpret the hydrograph and its relationship to changes in surface runoff and stream chemistry caused by rainstorms. We will discuss how to calculate runoff from housing and road construction projects, how to determine how big to build the discharge conduits, how to assess the effects of runoff on stream chemistry and water quality, and how to identify from the hydrograph general source regions for of various chemical contaminants washed into streams by precipitation. A class field project will be conducted to assess the effects of local road construction on the acidity of a local stream. Two other shorter field trips are planned to inspect stream sites and the site of a proposed housing development for which we will then assess its runoff potential.

No complex models will be used; rather an objective is to understand the foundation upon which such models are based. Special computing skills are not required, other than the ability to manipulate spreadsheets (such as EXCEL), but a general knowledge of introductory physics and competence in making simple calculations would be very useful in the course.
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(Note: as of Fall, 2004, four refereed journal papers prepared by students in this class and based on data taken in the field have been or are about to be published under those students’ names.)