What Happens When There is No Stormwater Management?
Water that flows directly from impervious surfaces is fast. The volume (amount) of water also increases because there is no chance for the water to infiltrate into the ground. Stormwater management facilities allow the water to partially infiltrate and/or outfall to the stream in a more controlled manor. Without this management, streams banks and vegetation can be quickly ripped away during large storms.
In just a few years, a stream with no stormwater management may become completely degraded and destabilized. These streams are usually laden with polluted sediment, and offer little to no habitat for wildlife.