Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Planning by Modeling Best Management Practices and Green Infrastructures
In this presentation, a review of advances in total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation planning by modeling best management practices (BMPs) and green infrastructure (GIs) along with enhanced (hybrid/streamlining) approaches will be presented. The review emanates from the ASCE Manual of Practice (MOP) 150, “Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development and Implementation: Models, Methods, and Resources,” (Total Maximum Daily Load Development and Implementation | Books (ascelibrary.org), specifically it’s Chapter 12, “Modeling for Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation.” Latest models and modeling tools, specifically the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) GI Modeling Toolkit and the Landscape and Green Infrastructure Design (L-GrlD) model for formulating GI strategies with flexibility to support stakeholder engagement are reviewed and will be presented. In addition, other decision support tools for stormwater management that can advance the TMDL implementation state-of-the-practice will be included in the synthesis. Advances in incorporating model uncertainties relating to BMPs and GIs in TMDL analysis will be briefly discussed. Furthermore, enhanced approaches to cost-effective TMDL implementation while combining with other similar watershed management efforts for greater synergy between TMDL modelers and other watershed stakeholders will be discussed. Emerging technologies (e.g., remote sensing) useful for monitoring the effectiveness of the TMDL implementation measures over time will be discussed with an example from the perspective of the efficacy of the implementation measures in the long run. Finally, an enhanced approach to the full TMDL life cycle by explicitly incorporating BMPs and GIs in the TMDL is proposed and expected benefits will be demonstrated with conceptual diagrams. A paper describing the work is available as one of the Special Collection of Articles in the Journal of Environmental Engineering at: Special Collection on Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis and Modeling Advances: Connecting Climate Resilience, Socio-Environmental Systems, and Holistic Watershed Management: Journal of Environmental Engineering | ASCE Library by the ASCE-EWRI Task Committee on TMDL Analysis and Modeling (TMDL Analysis and Modeling Task Committee | ASCE).
Author Bio
Dr. Deva Borah is currently a Senior Stormwater Engineer with the City of Chesapeake Department of Public works – Engineering Division. During his over 40-year career, Deva worked for universities, government agencies, and consulting companies in Civil and Agricultural Engineering fields. He is specialized in hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling and developed several model codes. He chairs the ASCE-EWRI TMDL Analysis and Modeling Task Committee and the EWRI Watershed Council. He is also a Director of VLWA and chairs its Watershed Subcommittee.
