Abstract

This chapter describes the use of the HSP-F program methodology to model and design best management practices (BMPS) for a proposed freeway interchange in Hamilton, Ontario within the Red Hill Creek watershed. BMP screening and agency liaison have led to the selection of a constructed wetland, along with associated companion BMPS, as the preferred solution for addressing fisheries and water quality criteria for this freeway interchange. Urban highway runoff typically contains suspended sediments, heavy metals, nutrients, oil and grease, bacteria and other pollutants. Artificial wetlands, constructed for stormwater treatment, provide efficient particulate pollutant removal, and the capability for both nutrient uptake and soluble pollutant removal. The wetlands’ removal capabilities are directly linked to the biological interactions with aquatic vegetation in the wetlands. Constructed wetlands can be designed to promote the flow of storm runoff through densely planted beds of aquatic plants. A key factor in the establishment and subsequent preservation of the vegetation and species diversity is the hydraulic regime in the wetland. This chapter focuses on the use of HSP-F, in continuous simulation mode, to assess the fluctuations in water levels within the proposed weland. It is shown how the information developed through this analysis is used to design the wetland bathymetry and aquatic planting species distribution.

This paper is only available in PDF Format:

  View full text PDF