{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-publication-js","path":"/library/when-theres-nowhere-to-flow-but-down--benefits-of-underground-stormwater-detention","result":{"data":{"prismic":{"announcementBlock":{"edges":[{"node":{"eyebrow":null,"image":{"dimensions":{"width":1920,"height":1080},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/Z9yhwDiBA97Givuj_FR98_05_Secondary_Coupleonconcrete_R2.jpg?auto=format,compress"},"title":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"POWER Engineers is becoming WSP","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"body":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"You'll find our people, project, and technical insights on WSP.com. Same teams. Expanded capabilities.","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"cta_text":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"EXPLORE WSP INSIGHTS","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"cta_url":{"url":"https://www.wsp.com/en-us/insights/?utm_campaign=-PE2025_BT&utm_source=powereng&utm_medium=web_library"},"is_enabled":true}}]},"doc":{"edges":[{"node":{"_meta":{"uid":"when-theres-nowhere-to-flow-but-down--benefits-of-underground-stormwater-detention"},"title":"When There’s Nowhere to Flow, But Down: Benefits of Underground Stormwater Detention","type":"Insight","date":"2018-08-31","image":{"dimensions":{"width":791,"height":414},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/3617564f-35e3-497a-ab76-d9206ba1b1a7_When+There%27s+Nowhere+to+Flow+but+Down.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,122,1075,563&w=791&h=414","thumbnail":{"dimensions":{"width":384,"height":282},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/3617564f-35e3-497a-ab76-d9206ba1b1a7_When+There%27s+Nowhere+to+Flow+but+Down.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,8,1075,789&w=384&h=282"}},"caption":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Steep terrain surrounding this substation expansion project in the  Colorado Rocky Mountains required an innovative stormwater management  approach. POWER engineered an underground stormwater detention system  large enough to store the amount of rainwater that would flow downhill  during a 100-year flood event. The solution of underground stormwater  detention provided a way to overcome geographic constraints and comply  with environmental regulations.","spans":[]}],"text":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Water that falls to the ground when it rains and snows is called  stormwater. When parking lots, roads, buildings and compacted soil  replace natural terrain, the man-made, hard surfaces prevent stormwater  from soaking into the soil. Constructing more acres of hard, impervious  surfaces like concrete and asphalt causes more stormwater runoff.  Compared to the original pre-development condition, stormwater runoff  can cause flooding, pollution, and significantly, soil erosion.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"To mitigate these impacts, developments are required to include  designated drainage systems that catch, store and release stormwater  runoff. This is known as stormwater management, which is mandated by the  federal Clean Water Act, state regulations and local ordinances.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"But what if you want to build a new development on steep terrain? Or  in an urban area with limited space? Or perhaps you want to maximize the  economic potential of your land in an area where real estate costs are  high?","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"For these scenarios, most traditional stormwater management  practices, like retention ponds or above-ground detention basins, are  not practical. Instead, a drainage system that stores stormwater  underground is your best option when faced with challenges of space and  terrain constraints, and it maximizes the potential of your land.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"So how does it work?","spans":[{"start":0,"end":20,"type":"strong"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground detention captures and stores stormwater runoff in large  underground pipes or vaults. During a storm or snow melt, the runoff  water first flows underground through a pipe connected to a catch basin  or manhole. Once captured, the runoff water is stored underground. It is  then released through an outlet pipe that’s specifically designed to  let water out in a controlled manner at pre-development flow rates.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The pre-development flow rate is based on specific engineering  calculations; maintaining the pre-development flow rate means stormwater  must be released into surface waters at the same frequency and volume  as before the development existed.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Why should I consider using underground detention? ","spans":[{"start":0,"end":51,"type":"strong"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground stormwater detention saves space and provides a way to  construct new development in steep or restricted areas, while still  meeting environmental regulations.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"POWER engineered a project in Bergen Park, Colorado that demonstrates  why you should consider utilizing underground stormwater detention. The  Bergen Park project encompassed expanding a substation that’s located  on the side of a mountain. Not only did the steep terrain present space  constraints, Colorado also has very stringent rules for water quality  and stormwater detention.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The Bergen Park project demonstrates several key benefits of underground stormwater detention:","spans":[{"start":0,"end":94,"type":"strong"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground detention maximizes the economic potential of space.  Underground detention systems were buried deep under the roads on each  side of the substation for the Bergen Park project – this eliminated the  need to purchase more land. Instead of buying a larger parcel for a  pond, installing a stormwater detention system underneath a parking lot,  a building – or in this case a substation – allows you to get “more  bang for your buck” regarding land use.","spans":[{"start":0,"end":64,"type":"em"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground detention prioritizes flow control. To comply  with Colorado’s regulations, the Bergen Park detention vaults were sized  to store stormwater during a 100-year storm event, and to release the  water at controlled intervals to prevent flooding. The pre-development  flow rate is based on specific engineering calculations; and maintaining  it means that stormwater will flow into surface waters with the same  frequency and volumes as it did before construction. Underground  detention provides a precise way to control flow and meet regulations  that require the restoration and maintenance of pre-development  conditions.","spans":[{"start":0,"end":47,"type":"em"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground detention is most advantageous when land is expensive, or terrain is steep.  For the Bergen Park project, a traditional pond was out of the question  because of the terrain’s steep slopes. Instead, the underground  detention facilities captured and stored stormwater, and then released  it in a controlled manner that mimics natural runoff conditions. While  Bergen Park is a rural example, underground detention can also be ideal  for dense urban areas where a small developmental footprint is necessary  due to the expense and limited availability of real estate.","spans":[{"start":0,"end":86,"type":"em"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Sounds pretty good. Why don’t we build all stormwater facilities underground?","spans":[{"start":0,"end":77,"type":"strong"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Regulations often require stormwater to be treated for pollutants.  Some underground detention systems provide treatment by placing an  open-bottomed vault on a layer of sand, which allows the water to  infiltrate and be filtered. This can be beneficial in improving water  quality discharge and reducing the required volume storage. However,  these systems can’t be used in many situations because they are very  dependent on space, soil type, and the groundwater table elevation.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The Bergen Park detention example included a pretreatment device to  filter dirt, sediment, trash and debris out of the water before it flows  into the underground vaults. These pretreatment devices mean adding  more capital on top of often already high construction costs. Another  consideration is that underground detention vaults are more complex to  engineer, permit and construct than traditional above-ground ponds and  basins. They also require yearly vacuum cleaning, like sewage system  maintenance.","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"In conclusion","spans":[{"start":0,"end":13,"type":"strong"}]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Underground detention mitigates the impacts of stormwater runoff,  uses space efficiently, and keeps projects compliant with environmental  regulations. Engineering a solution that not only catches the rainwater  running a million directions across the ground, but then also releases  it in the same manner as Mother Nature’s original plan, is  unquestionably as much an art as it is a science. There is no doubt that  stormwater management requires strategic and site-specific engineering –  luckily, that is a topic that we at POWER know a lot about.","spans":[]}],"cta_text":null,"white_label_gate":null,"cta_link":null,"hubspot_subscription_form_id":null,"meta_title":"When There’s Nowhere To Flow, But Down: Benefits Of Underground Stormwater Detention","meta_description":"Constructing more acres of hard, impervious  surfaces like concrete and asphalt causes more stormwater runoff.  Compared to the original pre-development condition, stormwater runoff  can cause flooding, pollution, and significantly, soil erosion.","author":{"name":"Beau Gosney","job_title":"P.E., Civil Engineer","photo":{"dimensions":{"width":160,"height":160},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/6029ed45-e209-4aa9-91a4-70260392bce0_Beau+Gosney+Resume.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1800,1800&w=160&h=160"},"bio":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Beau has engineered a variety of innovative solutions for utilities,  stormwater, commercial business development, grading and drainage,  transportation, and renewable energy. He’s contributed to the design and  construction of numerous substations, wind and solar farms, and  high-priority regional transmission lines. His engineering expertise and  interpersonal skills allow him to successfully deliver complex  infrastructure projects on time and on budget, while building positive  relationships with clients and stakeholders.","spans":[]}],"contact_link":{"url":"mailto:  beau.gosney@powereng.com"}},"author_byline":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Beau Gosney, P.E. , Civil Engineer","spans":[]}],"body":null,"related_markets":[{"market":{"name":"Food and Beverage"}},{"market":{"name":"Agribusiness"}}],"related_regions":[{"region":null}],"related_service_areas":[{"service_area":{"name":[{"type":"heading1","text":"Architecture, Buildings and Infrastructure","spans":[]}]}},{"service_area":{"name":[{"type":"heading1","text":"Process, Packaging and Controls Engineering","spans":[]}]}}],"external_links":[{"link_text":null,"link_url":null}],"related_publications":[{"publication":{"_meta":{"id":"XgUm-hAAAOeRt8GG","uid":"new-291000-square-foot-french-fry-plant"},"title":"New 291,000 Square-Foot French Fry Plant","type":"Project","image":{"dimensions":{"width":791,"height":414},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/5c0d55db-3bcd-49b6-980f-f346ba9bb37c_iStock-527477837.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,394,5472,2864&w=791&h=414","thumbnail":{"dimensions":{"width":384,"height":282},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/5c0d55db-3bcd-49b6-980f-f346ba9bb37c_iStock-527477837.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=246,0,4967,3648&w=384&h=282"}},"summary":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"To keep pace with demand for its product, our client built a brand-new French Fry plant next door to an existing facility—making the most of space they already owned.","spans":[]}]}},{"publication":{"_meta":{"id":"XlAWtREAACIAx6mk","uid":"stormwater-permitting-for-transmission-system-upgrades-in-the-appalachian-mountains"},"title":"Stormwater Permitting for Transmission System Upgrades in the Appalachian Mountains","type":"Project","image":{"dimensions":{"width":791,"height":414},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/2a07f8b2-baed-41d7-8153-53f4d036d796_AEP+stormwater_iStock-155360870.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,2831,1482&w=791&h=414","thumbnail":{"dimensions":{"width":384,"height":282},"alt":null,"copyright":null,"url":"https://images.prismic.io/wwwpowerengcom/2a07f8b2-baed-41d7-8153-53f4d036d796_AEP+stormwater_iStock-155360870.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,22,2831,2079&w=384&h=282"}},"summary":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"When our client needed to modernize their aging transmission system in the Appalachians, they faced the dual challenges of overcoming the extreme terrain and keeping their stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) updated with each obstacle they encountered. 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