Details:

Creators:
Bartelt-Hunt, Shannon ; Jones, Elizabeth ; Swadener, Lauren ; Jaft Haverian, Mohammad
Bartelt-Hunt, Shannon ; Jones, Elizabeth ; Swadener, Lauren ; Jaft Haverian, Mohammad Less -
Corporate Creators:
University of Nebraska--Lincoln. Dept. of Civil Engineering
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Aquatic Life Bridge Decks Bridges--Drainage Systems--Environmental Aspects Drainage Structures Environmental Impact Analysis Runoff Runoff--Environmental Aspects Streams Water Quality
Publication/ Report Number:
SPR-P1(12) M315
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Nebraska
Corporate Publisher:
Nebraska Transportation Center
Abstract:
Bridges are located in very close proximity to receiving waters, and regulatory agencies often require specific stormwater

control measures for bridge deck runoff. While there is some information available on roadway runoff, few studies have

focused on bridge deck runoff. Currently, there is no information available regarding the impacts of bridge deck runoff on

receiving waters in Nebraska. Due to the cost, maintenance, and design issues associated with implementing structural

controls for bridge deck runoff, it is important to develop a better understanding of the relationship between bridge deck

runoff and potential impacts to receiving streams. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the quality of bridge

deck runoff; to determine the effects of bridge deck runoff on surface water bodies in Nebraska by evaluating water and

sediment chemistry; and to evaluate the effects of bridge deck runoff on aquatic life. The goal was to identify the potential

environmental impacts of bridge deck runoff on receiving streams, and to determine design criteria that could be used by

NDOR or regulatory agencies to identify when structural controls for bridge deck runoff may be necessary to protect instream

water quality and aquatic life. Throughout the course of the project, we conducted in-stream dry weather sampling,

sediment sampling, wet weather bridge runoff sampling, and preliminary toxicity testing. Statistical analysis of upstream

and downstream in-stream samples showed that bridges did not impact the quality of the water body. Sediment sampling

did not show an increase in streambed sediment concentrations from downstream to upstream. The concentrations of

bridge runoff samples were higher than literature event mean concentration (EMC) values. This was mainly due to the fact

that the summer of 2012 had only two rain events of significant size and there was a large antecedent dry period (ADP)

between storms, making the samples much more concentrated. Two runoff events were also used in a 48-hour 5 dilution

series toxicity test with fat head minnows, and no negative effects were found. These preliminary results show that there

were no apparent effects of bridges on water quality and aquatic life.


Format:
PDF
Funding:
M315
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:9771738a2bab048f2fbe2e316bfdaf7dd6c6c0e66cea3f248b105de6b8011390
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25602/dot_25602_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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