Subsurface Gravel Wetland and Porous Pavement Design Workshops

Presented by University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center

Sponsored by New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission

NEIWPCC is pleased to collaborate with the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center to offer a pre-conference workshop on stormwater BMP design and performance.  This workshop will be held on Monday, May 14th at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center in Greenland, NH.  It will feature two half-day sessions; the first on subsurface gravel wetlands and the second on porous pavement systems.  Either session can be taken independently.  The workshop will also feature a field trip to Greenland Meadows, which will focus on how the design techniques taught in the workshop were applied to achieve a high level of stormwater treatment at this high-traffic commercial development. 

Each workshop will review the recent innovations in Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater designs for two types of systems:  the Subsurface Gravel Wetland and Porous Pavements. Each workshop will provide stormwater management professionals with the up-to-date characteristics of successful designs. Attendees’ may enroll in sessions (full day) or one session (half-day) depending on interest (sign-up for one or both workshops) as well as availability (first come-first served basis). Participants will learn key design principles necessary to successfully design, evaluate, specify, and install a subsurface gravel wetland or porous pavement for stormwater management.

The workshops will be held at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center located at 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH 03840. Directions to the HGCCC can be found >> here

Morning Session:  Subsurface Gravel Wetland Design

The subsurface gravel wetland is a recent innovation in Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater design. It approximates the look and function of a natural wetland, effectively removing sediments and other pollutants commonly found in runoff, while enhancing the visual appeal of the landscape and adding buffers, or greenscape, to urban areas. The subsurface gravel wetland evaluated and recommended by the UNHSC is a horizontal-flow filtration system that should not be confused with stormwater wetlands that function more like ponds. Instead, it relies on a dense root mat, crushed stone reservoir, and an anaerobic, microbe-rich environment to improve water quality. Like other filtration systems, it demonstrates a tremendous capacity to reduce peak flow and improve water quality. The subsurface gravel wetland is unique in its ability to remove up to 95% of nitrogen during summer months and is recommended in some states for nutrient impaired waterbodies.

Afternoon Session: Porous Pavement Design

Pavements are some of the most prolific structures in the modern landscape. Traditional impervious paved surfaces have been inextricably linked to adverse impacts on water quality at the regional and watershed levels. Many technologies exist to mitigate these threats, including innovative paving alternatives.

Porous pavements are a rapidly expanding practice available for protecting urban watersheds and aquifers. Recent advancements in technical design specifications and improved material selection make porous pavement technologies a powerful tool for engineers and developers facing ever increasing treatment performance standards. Training and familiarity with porous pavements is a critical component to successful installations and long-term functionality. Participants will learn key design principles necessary to successfully design, evaluate, specify, and install porous pavement for stormwater management including QA/QC, construction phasing, and operations and maintenance.

Workshop Schedules

Subsurface Gravel Wetland

7:45 – 8:00          Registration – Welcome, Handouts and Workshop Materials

8:00 – 9:40          History, Water Quality Performance, Hydraulic Performance, Hydraulic Control

9:40 – 10:00        Break and Networking

10:00 - 11:30      Design Considerations, Siting, Design Specifications, and Construction Oversight.

11:30 - 12:00      Q&A

Break

12:00 – 1:30        Lunch and Field Trip to Greenland Meadows

Porous Pavement

1:30-3:00              Introduction, Porous Pavement History, Acceptable Uses, and System Basics

3:00 – 3:15           Break

3:15-4:30              Siting Considerations, Design and Construction Considerations for Porous Pavements

4:30-5:00              Q&A

 Presenters         

Dr. Robert Roseen, Dr. Tom Ballestero, and James Houle of the UNH Stormwater Center, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

 Registration and Enrollment

Space is limited so register soon!

Each training session qualifies for 3.5 professional development hours (PDH).  Full day participants will qualify for 7 PDHs.

The registration fee is $150 for a single session or $200 for both sessions.  Please make checks payable to UNHSC Partnership a nd mail to the address below.  Payment must be made 24 hours prior to the workshop otherwise your reservation may not be secured:

UNH Stormwater Center Workshops
35 Colovos Road
Gregg Hall, Room 244
Durham, NH 03824

Fee includes course materials and lunch.

For more information, please contact us:

James Houle
Program Manager & Outreach Coordinator, UNH Stormwater Center
Environmental Research Group
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824

603-862-1445 (tel)
603-862-3957 (fax)
james.houle@unh.edu