Identifying Opportunities to Improve Temporary Sediment Basins

About the project:

Temporary sediment basins are used to control the release of sediment laden stormwater runoff from active construction sites. If temporary sediment basins are constructed according to specifications, it is expected that 60% of sediment will be trapped by the sediment basin. Nonetheless, sediment basins can perform poorly in several instances such as in successive storm events, at sites with fine-grained soils, or due to maintenance issues. Releases of sediment laden stormwater runoff from construction sites can negatively impact the environment and require costly and sometimes time-consuming corrective actions. This project will identify common issues with sediment basins in Virginia and determine potential alternative designs to evaluate for future use in Virginia. First, interviews of Virginia’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Environmental Compliance Inspectors as well as personnel from other DOTs will be conducted. Interviews will provide insights into potential common issues with sediment basins as well as opportunities for knowledge transfer. Then, select active sediment basins will be observed to better understand design limitations and contractor installation and maintenance practices. This research benefits VDOT by identifying potential sediment basin design shortcomings in Virginia, possible design modifications, and potential opportunities for knowledge transfer.  This research also establishes a basis for future research on potential temporary sediment basin design modifications to improve their performance. 

Project Team

Co-Principal Investigators