Infiltration in Stormwater Detention/ Percolation Basin Design

Investigations of soil parameters, infiltration testing, and storm observations are used to determine the infiltration characteristics for three Central Florida stormwater holding basins. Basic soil parameters are investigated and a value for available soil water storage is computed from these data. In-situ permeability and infiltration tests are used to obtain field permeability and infiltration rates. Infiltration test results may be applied to infiltration theory. Data from infiltration tests may be verified using available soil water storage computed from soil parameters. The effect of soil cover conditions is noted and investigated using the drum infiltrometer. Storm observations are used to confirm infiltration models. Infrequency of rainfall activity limited the number and reliability of observations. The effects of precipitation frequency and input intensity to the pond also noted in storm observations. A design procedure incorporating infiltration in stormwater retention basins is presented. This design procedure is based on infiltration theory and observed pond operation