Sediment and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Dry Storm Water Detention Basin

Abstract

Amount, heavy metal content, organic content, and mass distribution of the bottom sediment in an 18 year old, single-purpose dry storm water detention basin were measured. The measured results were used to assess the effect of sedimentation on flood control capacity and the applicability of recommended values for predicting amounts of sediment and heavy metal accumulation. The rate of sediment accumulation was measured to be 0.8 cm per year. Because of sedimentation, the flood control capacity of the basin was estimated to have decreased from that for the 13-year storm to that for the 4-year storm. Both the soil erosion rate and the suspended solid concentration recommended for predicting the amount of sediment accumulation appear to be applicable for this basin. However, recommended metal trap efficiencies, recommended concentrations of heavy metals in runoff, or both appear to be too high for predicting the amount of heavy metal accumulation in this basin.