Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2014ND282B

Nutrient Loading Reduction and Water Quality of Best Management Practices in Grand Forks, North Dakota

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2014 Start Date: 2014-03-01 End Date: 2015-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $7,300 Total Non-Federal Funds: $14,600

Principal Investigators: Yeo Lim

Abstract: During design of new drainage areas within an urban setting, it is becoming common practice for cities to require post-development storm water impacts to be the same, if not better, than prior to development. This is being accomplished with the incorporation of Best Management Practices (BMP) and Low Impact Development structures that are designed to both reduce the runoff and improve the water quality within the drainage basin prior to it being discharged to the citys main outlet. Once the BMP has been installed, it is assumed that it is working and meeting the criteria to the extent found in drainage studies prior to construction. It is unlikely that it will be tested again for effectiveness unless a sampling plan has already been implemented by the city.The area being considered in this research is the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through discussion with the city, it has become apparent that there has been little to no data collection at specific Best Management Practice structures in the region. The main objective to be accomplished through the research is to evaluate a minimum of five selected BMPs throughout the city. On completion a statistically-sound sampling plan to determine water quality improvement and nutrient loading reduction capabilities of the selected BMPs within Grand Forks will be designed, implemented, and analyzed.