Effects of Highway Construction and Operation on Water Quality and Quantity in an Ephemeral Stream in the Austin, Texas, Area

Details

• Creators:
  Barrett, M. E. ; Malina, J. F. ; Charbeneau, R. J.
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation Research
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Construction Fences Literature Reviews Pollution Runoff Sediment Discharge Streams Temporary Stormwater Runoff Control Devices Urban Areas Water Quality
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/TX-96/1943-3
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  Texas ; United States
• Edition:
  Interim
• Corporate Publisher:
  University of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation Research
• Abstract:
  Grab samples collected during the construction of a freeway in southwestern Travis County, Texas, indicate that suspended solids are the most important constituent present in stormwater runoff from the construction corridor. Despite the presence of an extensive system of temporary controls (primarily silt fences), the concentration of suspended solids in Danz Creek increased at least fivefold during and immediately after storm events. Other solids-related parameters, such as turbidity and iron, also increased. Despite the high concentrations of suspended solids, no permanent change in the channel resulting from runoff during construction was obvious. The effects of construction on Danz Creek were temporary, and similar to that reported in the literature for other rivers and streams. Monitoring of a small ephemeral stream allowed documentation of changes in water quality and quantity resulting from highway runoff that would not be apparent in larger watersheds. The paved surfaces and storm sewer system combined to increase both the total volume and maximum flow rate of the creek. Even small storm events were sufficient to generate runoff below the highway right-of-way. Stormwater runoff from the highway caused increases in suspended solids, oil and grease, and zinc in Danz Creek. These constituents are commonly found in highway runoff. Although the increases were substantial, the resulting water quality was well within levels appropriate for aquatic life or at concentrations commonly reported for streams during the elevated flows following storm events in undeveloped watersheds. Because of the nature of the surrounding land use, ambient concentrations of many constituents in the creek were higher than those in the runoff from the new highway.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  7-1943
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:956d2224e122adde85d2d7cdc91d413e2f8284e0cdec6fa0a4c95e260406e9c7717ba2329c70c4b609eb9ddeb307c34b132002ad4a0cad68be8b6620a38240ed
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86159/dot_86159_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.69 MB ]