Potential sediment supply fluxes associated with greenfield residential construction
Research published by Kathryn Russell1 has quantified the sediment supply changes at the development scale during greenfield construction. Her conceptual model in Figure 1 is an excellent resource to communicate the phases of soil disturbance throughout the life of a land division and the potential for runoff given the degree of connectedness of the road and drainage systems. The bulk earthworks phase generates a large proportion of the sediment runoff as is expected, however the model indicates time span of the road and drainage construction while the site is still significantly bare also presents considerable risk.
If you had any doubt that the development and effective implementation of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (or Soil Erosion and Drainage Management Plan – SEDMP – in the old terminology) is critical to the management of the majority of sediment loads in our urban streams and coastal waters, you need look no further than Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Conceptual model of phases of soil disturbance, potential runoff and potential sediment supply changes at the development scale during greenfield construction1
The indicative runoff coefficient in Figure 1 is influenced by bare soil cover, impervious cover and drainage connection, while relative potential sediment supply is the product of indicative runoff coefficient and bare soil cover. Time-series are derived from temporal assessment using digitised aerial imagery.
1 Russell K (2021) Potential sediment supply fluxes associated with greenfield residential construction. Anthropocene Issue 35.