(Manual) Design Standards For Stormwater Detention and Retention - 14-05 Version
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Marcos Juliano(Manual) Design Standards For Stormwater Detention and Retention - 14-05 Version
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Marcos JulianoPima County Regional Flood Control District
Design Standards
for
Stormwater Detention and Retention
Supplement to Title 16, Chapter 16.48,
Runoff Detention Systems
Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management Ordinance
Pima County Regional Flood Control District
97 E. Congress St., 3rd Floor
Tucson, AZ 85701-1791
(520) 724-4600
May 2014
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1. Purpose ................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Ordinance Overview and Detention Requirements .................................................................................... 2
1.3. Applicability ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4. Conflicting Requirements and Use of Alternative Requirements ............................................................... 3
1.5. Low Impact Development Practices ............................................................................................................ 3
1.6. Site Planning ................................................................................................................................................ 6
1.7. Design Standards ......................................................................................................................................... 6
2. FIRST‐FLUSH RUNOFF VOLUME REDUCTION ................................................................................. 7
2.1. Applicability of First‐flush Retention and First‐flush Runoff Volume Calculation ....................................... 7
2.2. First‐flush Runoff Volume Calculation ......................................................................................................... 8
2.3. Site Planning and Preliminary Design of LID Practices to Minimize First‐flush Volume ........................... 12
2.3.1 Minimize Disturbed, Compacted and Connected Impervious Surfaces ............................................... 12
2.3.2 Protect/Enhance Riparian Habitat and Other High Permeability Areas ............................................... 14
2.4. Use of LID Practices to Retain the First‐flush Runoff Volume ................................................................... 15
2.4.1 Stormwater Harvesting Basins .......................................................................................................... 15
2.4.2 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basins ........................................................................................... 16
2.4.3 Non‐contributing Basins ................................................................................................................... 17
2.4.4 Bioretention Basins ........................................................................................................................ 18
2.5. Retention within Detention Basins ...................................................................................................... 19
3. PEAK DISCHARGE RATE REDUCTION ........................................................................................... 20
3.1. Peak Discharge Rate Reduction Requirements ......................................................................................... 20
3.2. Peak Discharge Rate Determination ......................................................................................................... 20
3.2.1 Pre‐Developed Conditions ................................................................................................................ 20
3.2.2 Post‐Developed Conditions .............................................................................................................. 20
3.3. Peak Discharge Rate Reduction by Stormwater Harvesting Basins .......................................................... 20
4. DETENTION BASIN DESIGN STANDARDS ..................................................................................... 25
4.1. Detention Basin General Requirements .................................................................................................... 25
4.2. Detention Basin General Prohibitions ....................................................................................................... 26
4.3. Detention Basin Location and Collection .................................................................................................. 26
4.3.1. Detention Basin Location and Collection Standards .......................................................................... 26
4.3.2. Detention Basin Location and Collection Prohibitions ....................................................................... 27
4.4. Detention Basin Depth and Freeboard ..................................................................................................... 27
4.4.1. Detention Basin Depth and Freeboard Standards ............................................................................. 27
4.4.2. Detention Basin Depth Prohibition ................................................................................................... 28
4.5. Storage Time ............................................................................................................................................. 28
4.5.1. Storage Time Standards ................................................................................................................... 28
4.6. Basin Floor 29
4.6.1. Basin Floor Standards ...................................................................................................................... 29
4.6.2. Basin Floor Prohibitions ................................................................................................................... 29
4.7. Side Slopes ................................................................................................................................................. 29
4.7.1. Side Slope Standards ....................................................................................................................... 29
4.7.2. Side Slope Prohibitions .................................................................................................................... 31
4.8. Inlet Structures .......................................................................................................................................... 32
4.8.1. Inlet Structure Standards ................................................................................................................. 32
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4.8.2. Inlet Structure Prohibitions .............................................................................................................. 34
4.9. Outlet Structures ....................................................................................................................................... 34
4.9.1. Outlet Structure Standards ...................................................................................................................... 34
4.9.2. Outlet Structure Prohibition ............................................................................................................ 37
4.10. Embankments ............................................................................................................................................ 37
4.10.1. Embankment Standards ................................................................................................................. 37
4.10.2. Embankment Prohibition ............................................................................................................... 39
4.11. Security Barrier .......................................................................................................................................... 39
4.11.1. Security Barrier Standards .............................................................................................................. 39
4.11.2. Security Barrier Prohibitions ........................................................................................................... 40
4.12. Perimeter Walls ......................................................................................................................................... 40
4.12.1. Perimeter Wall Standards .............................................................................................................. 40
4.12.2. Perimeter Wall Prohibitions ........................................................................................................... 40
4.13. Underground Storage ................................................................................................................................ 40
4.13.1. Underground Storage Standards .................................................................................................... 40
4.14. Setbacks ................................................................................................................................................. 42
4.14.1. Setback Standards ........................................................................................................................ 42
4.14.2. Setback Prohibition ........................................................................................................................ 42
4.15. Elevation Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 42
4.16. Maintenance Access .................................................................................................................................. 42
4.16.1. Maintenance Access Standards ...................................................................................................... 42
4.16.2. Maintenance Access Prohibition ..................................................................................................... 43
4.17. Landscaping Other Than Riparian Habitat Mitigation ............................................................................... 43
4.17.1. Landscaping Standards ................................................................................................................... 43
4.17.2. Landscaping Prohibitions ................................................................................................................ 43
4.18. Pumps ................................................................................................................................................. 44
4.18.1. Pump Standards ........................................................................................................................ 44
4.19. Dry Wells ................................................................................................................................................. 46
4.19.1. Dry Well Standards ........................................................................................................................ 46
4.19.2. Dry Well Prohibitions ..................................................................................................................... 50
5. LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT DESIGN STANDARDS .................................................................... 51
5.1. Low Impact Development General Requirements .................................................................................... 51
5.2. Low Impact Development General Prohibitions ....................................................................................... 52
5.3. Stormwater Harvesting Basins .................................................................................................................. 52
5.3.1. General Standards for Stormwater Harvesting Basins ....................................................................... 52
5.3.2. Stormwater Harvesting Basin Prohibition ......................................................................................... 55
5.4. Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basins .............................................................................................. 55
5.5. Stormwater Harvesting Basins Adjacent to Parking Areas .................................................................... 56
5.6. Non‐contributing Basin Standards ....................................................................................................... 56
5.7. Bioretention Basin ........................................................................................................................ 57
5.8. Retention Within A Detention Basin ......................................................................................................... 59
5.9. Practices That Increase The Time Of Concentration ................................................................................. 65
5.9.1. Lengthened Flow Path Standards ..................................................................................................... 65
6. MULTIPLE‐USE CONCEPTS .......................................................................................................... 66
6.1. Basins Designed With Human Activity Zones ............................................................................................ 66
6.1.1. General Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 66
6.1.2. Prohibitions ........................................................................................................................ 66
6.2. Basins Containing Landscape Bufferyards ................................................................................................. 67
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
6.2.1. General Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 67
6.2.2. Landscape Bufferyard General Prohibitions ...................................................................................... 67
7. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................. 68
7.1 Inspection and Maintenance General Requirements .......................................................................... 68
7.2 Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for All Basins ................................................................... 68
7.2.1 Basin Location and Collection ......................................................................................................... 68
7.2.2 Basin Depth and Freeboard .............................................................................................................. 69
7.2.3 Basin Storage Time ........................................................................................................................ 69
7.2.4 Basin Floor ........................................................................................................................ 70
7.2.5 Basin Side Slope ........................................................................................................................ 70
7.2.6 Basin Inlet Structure ........................................................................................................................ 71
7.2.7 Basin Outlet Structure ..................................................................................................................... 71
7.2.8 Basin Maintenance Access .............................................................................................................. 71
7.2.9 Basin Landscaping ........................................................................................................................ 71
7.3.1 Detention Basin Embankment ........................................................................................................ 72
7.3.2 Detention Basin Security Barrier ..................................................................................................... 72
7.3.3 Detention Basin Perimeter Wall ...................................................................................................... 72
7.3.4 Detention Basin Underground Storage System ............................................................................... 73
7.3.5 Detention Basin Equipment Elevation ............................................................................................. 73
7.3.6 Detention Basin Pump .................................................................................................................... 73
7.3.7 Detention Basin Dry Well(s) ............................................................................................................ 74
7.4 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Bioretention Basins ................................... 74
7.6 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Multi‐Use Basins .......................................... 75
8. COVENANTS ............................................................................................................................... 76
8.1. General Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 76
9. DETENTION WAIVER REQUEST AND PAYMENT OF IN‐LIEU FEE ................................................... 77
9.1. Waiver Request Requirements ................................................................................................................. 77
9.2. Waiver Application Requirements ............................................................................................................ 81
For requirements, contact the Floodplain Administrator. ........................................................................... 81
9.2.1. Waiver Request Response and Approval .......................................................................................... 81
10. DRAINAGE REPORT CONTENT ..................................................................................................... 82
10.1. Content for an Approved Detention Waiver ............................................................................................. 82
10.2. Content for LID Practices ................................................................................................................. 82
10.3. Content for Detention Basins ........................................................................................................... 83
10.4. Content For Dry Wells ............................................................................................................................... 85
10.5. . Required Summary Table For All Projects ............................................................................................... 86
11. REQUIREMENTS FOR PLATS, DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS. ...................... 87
11.1. Required Content for Tentative Plats and Development Plans ................................................................ 87
11.1.1. Detention Waiver ................................................................................................................................... 87
11.1.2. General Notes and Permitting Notes .............................................................................................. 87
11.1.3. Required Descriptions for Detention Basins and Stormwater Harvesting Basins ............................... 88
11.1.4. Requirements for LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins ....................................... 89
11.2. Required Detention Basin and LID Practices Content For Final Plats ....................................................... 90
11.2.1. Detention Waiver ........................................................................................................................ 90
11.2.2. General and Permitting Notes ........................................................................................................ 90
11.2.3. Requirements for Detention Basins and Stormwater Harvesting Basins ........................................... 91
11.3. Required Detention Basin and LID Practices Content for Construction Plans ...................................... 91
11.3.1. Requirements for LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins ....................................... 93
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
12. REQUIRED CONTENT FOR AS‐BUILT CERTIFICATION AND PLANS ................................................. 94
12.1. General Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 94
12.1.1. Detention Basins ........................................................................................................................ 94
12.2. Stormwater Harvesting Basins ......................................................................................................... 95
12.3. Other LID Practices ........................................................................................................................ 95
13. GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................................................. 96
14. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 102
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 An Example of LID Site Design ...................................................................................4
Figure 1.2 An Example LID Landscape Concept Plan ..................................................................5
Figure 2.1 Concept Commercial Site with First Flush Retention within Stormwater
Harvesting Basins…………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Figure 2.2 Traditional Layout Compared to Alternative Compact Development
Footprint…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Figure 2.3 Illustration of Protection of Riparian Habitat and Adjacency of Development
Figure 2.4 Elevated Grate Inlet which Maximizes Stormwater Harvesting
Figure 4.1 Minimum Setback from Property Line.......................................................................23
Figure 4.2 Basin Depth and Freeboard Requirements ...............................................................25
Figure 4.3 Basin Floor Minimum Slope for Positive Drainage ....................................................26
Figure 4.4 Riprap Blanket with Filter Fabric End Treatment ......................................................29
Figure 4.5 Multi‐Level Weir Outlet for the 2‐, 10‐, and 100‐year Storm ....................................35
Figure 4.6 Combination Weir – Culvert Outlet ...........................................................................36
Figure 4.7 Embankment Requirements ......................................................................................39
Figure 4.8 Typical Dry Well Installation ......................................................................................53
Figure 5.1 Sediment Trap
Figure 5.2 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basin ....................................................................60
Figure 5.3 Expanded Area Non‐Contributing Area Basin in a Parking Lot Median ....................61
Figure 5.4 Bioretention Basin .....................................................................................................62
Figure 5.5 Terraced Detention Basin with Retention .................................................................65
Figure 5.6 Porous Gravel Cross Section
Figure 5.7 Concrete Block Cross Section
Figure 5.8 PICP Cross Section
Figure 5.9 Pervious Concrete Section
Figure 9.1 Sample Watershed for Example 9.1……………………………………………………………………..
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 First‐flush Retention Volume Required for Each Acre of Impervious or
Disturbed Area by Type of Area
Table 2.2 Example Site First‐flush Volume Required
Table 2.3 Example Site First‐flush Volume Provided
Table 2.4 Acceptable Techniques to Minimize Disturbed, Compacted and Impervious
Surfaces
Table 2.5 Acceptable Techniques to Protect/Enhance Regulated Riparian Habitat and
Regulatory Floodplains
Table 4.1 Side Slope Stabilization
Table 4.2 Dumped or Hand Placed Riprap Gradation
Table 5.1 Pervious Pavement System Filter Material Gradation
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
LIST OF PHOTOS
Photo 2.1 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basin at Full Depth
Photo 2.2 Rainfall Only Non‐Contributing Basin
Photo 4.1 Basin Inlet with Riprap Protection
Photo 4.2 Basin Inlet with Inadequate Riprap Placement
Photo 4.3 Combination Weir Box
Photo 4.4 Residential Subdivision Basin with Embankment
Photo 4.5 Residential Subdivision Basin with Drywells
Photo 5.1 Porous Gravel Installation
Photo 5.2 Concrete Installation
Photo 5.3 PICP Installation
Photo 5.4 Pervious Concrete Installation
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A First‐flush Retention
Appendix B Example LID Peak Discharge Calculations
Appendix C Stormwater Harvesting Memorandum
Appendix D The Method Used by the Stormwater Harvesting Spreadsheet to Modify a PC‐
Hydro Hydrograph to Account for Stormwater Harvesting
Appendix E Details
Appendix F Maintenance Checklist
Appendix G Covenants
Appendix H Hydrograph Rise Time
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
LIST OF SYMBOLS
Watershed area
Watershed Area flowing to stormwater harvesting
Total watershed area
Weighted runoff coefficient
t‐hour rainfall depth, for 100‐year storms
one‐hour rainfall depth
detention basin inflow
Peak outflow from detention basin
100‐year peak discharge
Flow travel time
Flow travel time between points A and B
Hydrograph rise time
Rise time of the 100‐year synthetic flood hydrograph for on‐suite Drainage
Rise time of the 100‐year synthetic flood hydrograph for an entire watershed
length of time interval, minutes
estimate of total required storage volume
runoff volume with stormwater harvesting
The percent of watershed area drainage to stormwater harvesting
post development runoff volume for the return period
median diameter of the rock size distribution
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Purpose
The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance, design standards and policy direction
when runoff detention and retention systems are required for development in Pima County.
This manual is a supplement to, and has the same regulatory authority as, the floodplain
management regulations throughout the jurisdictions of Pima County, including:
Title 16 of the Pima County Code
Chapter 26 of the Tucson Code
Title 14 of the Sahuarita Town Code
Chapter 17 of the Oro Valley Town Code, and
Title 21 of the Town of Marana Land Development Code.
Throughout the manual, these are collectively referred to as the Ordinances.
Since 1987, the Stormwater Detention/Retention Manual (Pima County Department of
Transportation & Flood Control District and City of Tucson) has required runoff detention
systems to:
1. Protect adjacent properties from adverse impacts,
2. Preserve watershed‐scale peak discharge characteristics, and
3. Retain a portion of stormwater runoff on site for re‐use and infiltration.
This manual continues to require protection of adjacent properties and preservation of pre‐
developed peak discharges and also incorporates revisions that:
1. Require first‐flush retention that may be located throughout the development. The
retained volume may also be used to meet part of the project’s detention volume
requirement;
2. Include sustainability principles and promote early, integrated site planning;
3. Specify acceptable methods of analysis;
4. Provide detailed design standards;
5. Address maintenance responsibilities and expectations;
6. Standardize report and plan content requirements; and
7. Facilitate use of the manual by Floodplain Administrators in both incorporated and
unincorporated areas of Pima County.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
1.2. Ordinance Overview and Detention Requirements
The broad goals of the Ordinances are to protect the public health, safety and general
welfare of the citizens of Pima County and to protect the natural character of our
watercourses, water resources and environment. The Ordinances require the design of all
new development to include elements which protect the site from flood damage and which
protect adjacent and downstream properties from adverse drainage impacts.
The Ordinances mandate that post‐development runoff rates be reduced to pre‐
development rates. In addition, the Ordinances stipulate that development plans and
tentative plats demonstrate that improvements are compatible with the existing upstream
and downstream drainage conditions and that any proposed grading and/or grade change
will not have an adverse impact on surrounding properties. These provisions form the
foundation for the requirements presented in this manual.
With a general requirement for no adverse impact, the standards also rely on the more
specific requirements in the Ordinances, including:
1. Any new development will include some method of peak discharge and/or
volumetric runoff reduction. Detention facilities may be omitted from project design
if a waiver of this requirement is granted by the Floodplain Administrator. A fee may
be required. Waivers may be granted when the parcel to be developed is less than
one acre in size; is located within close proximity to a major watercourse; is of low
residential density (less than 2 residences per acre) and maintains the natural
drainage patterns; or when other engineering justification acceptable to the
Floodplain Administrator can be demonstrated.
2. Within unincorporated Pima County, a watershed is considered a Balanced Basin
unless it has been determined to be a Critical Basin. The District’s Critical Basin Map
is available through the Rules and Procedures page of the District’s web page and
shows basin designations regulated by the District. For watersheds regulated by
other jurisdictions within Pima County, other maps may be applicable. Unless a
Detention Waiver has been granted:
a. New development located within a Balanced Basin must provide sufficient
detention to reduce the post‐developed 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year peak discharge
rates to the pre‐developed rates.
b. New development located within a Critical Basin must provide sufficient
detention to reduce the post‐developed 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year peak discharge
rates to 90% of the pre‐developed peak discharge rates. Other reductions may
be specified by the Floodplain Administrator.
3. Locations of post‐developed concentration points at the downstream property
boundary must approximate the locations of pre‐developed concentration points at
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
the downstream property boundary, and the Balanced and Critical Basin criteria are
applicable at all downstream concentration points.
1.3. Applicability
This manual applies to the planning and design of runoff detention and retention systems
when required for private development plans and subdivision plats. These standards do not
apply to regional or public detention basins. The use of detention or retention within
individual residential parcels to meet or offset any part of the detention or retention
requirements for a project site is not allowed. For regional basins, where watersheds are
greater than 1 square mile, refer to applicable regional basin standards.
1.4. Conflicting Requirements and Use of Alternative Requirements
If any of the requirements in this manual conflict with one another, the Ordinances or other
policies of the Floodplain Administrator, the more restrictive requirement shall apply.
Requests to provide designs, analyses or reporting which is different from the requirements
stated in this manual shall be made in writing to the Floodplain Administrator prior to
submittal. A response shall be provided in writing to the applicant.
1.5. Low Impact Development Practices
This manual introduces the use of Low Impact Development (LID) practices. LID practices
model the natural environment with design elements which manage runoff and water use
using uniformly‐distributed small‐scale controls. One goal of LID practices is to mimic a
site’s pre‐development hydrology using methods that effectively capture, detain, infiltrate
and evaporate runoff close to its source.
Two components of LID practices are site planning and hydrologic analysis. Traditionally,
site development has allowed runoff to be conveyed quickly to a central point, such as a
constructed channel or detention basin. This type of development is essentially devoid of
natural features, and the result is an increase in runoff volume and peak discharge and an
associated decrease in runoff travel time. In contrast, site development using LID practices
contains features found in natural watersheds which can increase post‐development travel
time above that expected with traditional constructed conveyances, while reducing both
peak discharge rate and runoff volume.
The use of LID practices accomplishes multiple goals including addressing State and Federal
regulations requiring jurisdictions to reduce the contribution of pollutants from urbanized
areas to our watercourses and providing a mechanism to direct runoff to landscape,
bufferyards, and riparian areas in a way that also provides some flood control benefit.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Site design which incorporates LID practices includes elements such as water catchments
immediately downstream of impervious surfaces and other disturbed or compacted areas,
and curvilinear flow paths which reduce the velocity of surface flow. An example of a site
design incorporating LID practices is the Lester Street site at the University of Arizona and is
illustrated in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1 An Example LID Site Design
(University of Arizona, Department of Planning, Design & Construction).
In this example design, runoff from roofs and parking areas is directed to a series of shallow
basins which are interconnected by pipes or berm spillways, reducing the volume and rate
of flow at the downstream boundary of the project.
Landscaping creates aesthetically pleasing runoff paths and increases evapotranspiration.
The landscape concept for the Lester Street project is shown in Figure 1.2.
The requirement, introduced with this manual revision, to provide first‐flush retention can
be satisfied by site designs which incorporate features similar to the example site design or
by providing the retention volume within a detention basin.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 1.2 An Example LID Landscape Concept Plan
(University of Arizona, Department of Planning, Design & Construction).
First‐flush retention is defined as the capturing and retaining of the stormwater runoff
volume from 0.5 inch of rainfall on all newly disturbed or impervious areas for new
development or redevelopment as defined in Section 2.1. This requirement does not apply
to those portions of the project site that are left undisturbed.
To incentivize the use of LID practices, the manual provides a method to reduce the
required volume of detention facilities when water harvesting basins are used throughout a
site. This is in addition to mitigating of the first‐flush retention requirements. Although not
required, the manual also incentivizes other LID practices when quantifiable flood control
benefits can be measured.
Quantifiable flood control benefits include:
1. Optional LID practices that reduce the volume of post development runoff:
a. Minimization of disturbed and impervious surfaces. Surfaces designed with
pervious pavement systems shall be analyzed as disturbed, rather than
impervious, surfaces.
b. Protection and maintenance of riparian habitat and other high permeability
areas, and
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
c. Use of stormwater harvesting throughout the site in depressed earthen areas.
2. Other Optional LID practices that increase roughness or lengthen the flow path for
watersheds with times of concentration which exceed 5 minutes:
a. Disconnection of impervious surfaces,
b. Maximization of time of concentration through the use of swales, site design and
increased lengths of flow paths, and
c. Use of conveyance systems that mimic natural conditions.
In order to facilitate the use of LID practices, the Floodplain Administrator encourages
applicants to satisfy other requirements within LID practice areas. Other requirements
which might be satisfied within LID practice areas include landscaping, native plant, and
riparian mitigation requirements. Locating mitigation areas within water harvesting basins
will maximize the effect of both the LID practice and the success of the mitigation area.
Other regulatory requirements that could be met include open space set‐aside, bufferyard,
and park requirements.
Details and design standards for LID practices are presented in Chapter 5.
1.6. Site Planning
Early review of the project site for opportunities to optimize the use of LID practices, to
consider riparian habitat preservation and to reduce the site area devoted to deeply‐
excavated detention basins is encouraged by the Floodplain Administrator. While this
manual provides standards and guidelines for designing, constructing and maintaining
detention basins, it also promotes use of alternatives to the construction of deeply‐
excavated basins or a combination of detention basins and alternative practices to achieve
stormwater detention and retention volume requirements.
Site planning during rezoning processes and at the earliest stages of site review will allow
for the most appropriate uses of LID practices, stormwater harvesting and riparian habitat
and floodplain preservation. Site planners are encouraged to contact the Floodplain
Administrator for consultation during preliminary site layout.
1.7. Design Standards
This manual presents the required design standards for detention basins and LID practices.
Approval of the use of design standards not in this manual shall be obtained in writing from
the Floodplain Administrator prior to submittal of the detention/retention analysis. As new
construction methods and materials, environmental regulations and sustainable
development practices evolve, new design standards may be incorporated into the manual.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
2. FIRST‐FLUSH RUNOFF VOLUME REDUCTION
Capturing and retaining stormwater throughout the project site results in a reduction in the
size of infrastructure required to convey runoff to a central area. Additionally, it provides
permeable area which allows more runoff to infiltrate into the ground.
Stormwater retention is required to address water quality protection goals, to reduce
downstream adverse impacts related to the increased frequency of runoff from
development, and to mimic natural features which allow for the beneficial re‐use of
stormwater on site.
2.1. Applicability of First‐flush Retention and First‐flush Runoff Volume Calculation
The first‐flush runoff volume is the volume of stormwater runoff from 0.5 inch of rainfall
that is expected to discharge from impervious and disturbed areas. The 0.5‐inch rainfall
event is the 85th percentile storm event, discussed in Appendix A. New development shall
provide the retention volume necessary to retain the first‐flush runoff volume from
impervious and disturbed areas as determined below:
1. When new development is proposed on vacant land, all proposed impervious
and disturbed areas shall be used to determine the required first‐flush runoff
volume.
2. When expansion of existing development occurs, the first‐flush runoff volume
shall be calculated using:
a. The total impervious and disturbed areas of the entire site, when more
than one‐acre of new development is proposed and the new
development is greater than 33% of the entire site.
b. Only the impervious and disturbed area associated with the proposed
expansion, when between 2,000 square feet and one‐acre of new
development are proposed, or the new development is less than 33% of
the entire site. Expansion area is cumulative over the life of the project.
c. First‐flush retention is not required when an expansion of less than 2,000
square feet is proposed. The 2,000‐square‐foot threshold is cumulative.
3. A change of use of a property that does not increase impervious surfaces or
disturbed area does not require first‐flush retention.
4. Where known drainage problems have been documented by the Floodplain
Administrator, mitigation through retention may be required for sites which
otherwise would not require first‐flush retention.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
2.2. First‐flush Runoff Volume Calculation
The first‐flush runoff volumes required for retention by this Section were determined using
the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Curve Number method with a 0.5‐inch rainfall event
(Table 2.1).
Appendix A presents supporting data for the use of the 0.5‐inch standard.
The first‐flush runoff volumes were found as the difference in runoff volume for post‐
developed and pre‐developed conditions for a 0.5 inch rainfall event. For pre‐developed
conditions, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Hydrologic Group B soils were
assumed for Pima County Mapped Riparian Areas identified in the Pima County Riparian
Classification Maps or other higher permeability areas designated by the Floodplain
Administrator and NRCS Hydrologic Group C soils were assumed for Non‐Riparian Areas or
other lower permeability areas.
For post‐developed conditions, impervious areas that replace Mapped Riparian Areas or
other higher permeability areas were represented as 0.5 inch of runoff, and other
impervious areas were represented as the runoff found from using an NRCS Curve Number
of 99. Disturbed areas were assumed to be D soils under post‐developed conditions.
The first‐flush retention volume shall be calculated according to the following:
1. The first‐flush retention volume requirement shall be calculated separately for
the impervious and disturbed areas of each developed watershed associated
with flows that exit a project site. The calculation for the required first‐flush
retention volume shall be in accordance with Table 2.1, unless site‐specific
testing supports use of alternate values.
Table 2.1
First‐flush Retention Volume Required for Each Acre of Impervious or Disturbed Area
by Type of Area
Mapped Riparian Area
Lower Permeability
or Other Higher
Area
Permeability Area
Applicable Impervious Area 1440 ft3/ac 1815 ft3/ac
Additional Disturbed Area 140 ft3/ac 245 ft3/ac
2. Within each developed watershed, retention areas that are used to meet the
first‐flush retention requirement shall be located downstream of an impervious
area. In addition, retention within Non‐Contributing Basins as defined in Section
2.4.3 constructed within previously disturbed areas can be counted toward the
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
first‐flush retention requirement. Sites may contain some impervious or
disturbed areas which do not drain to first flush retention.
3. The total first‐flush retention volume provided in each developed watershed
shall satisfy the first‐flush retention requirement for that watershed.
4. Retention volume in areas such as stormwater harvesting basins and retention
within detention basins may be counted toward the required first‐flush volume.
5. First‐flush retention areas within stormwater harvesting basins may also be
counted for reducing peak discharges as described in Section 3.3. First‐flush
retention volume within detention basins will be counted as volume within the
detention routing procedures described in Section 3.4.
6. Disturbed areas include any areas of the project site which are graded, except
for the detention basins and stormwater harvesting basins themselves.
To illustrate how first‐flush retention volume could theoretically be distributed on a fictitious
site, Figure 2.1 presents pre‐ and post‐developed conditions.
Example Pre‐Developed Conditions
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Example Post‐Developed Conditions
Figure 2.1
Example Commercial Site with First‐flush Retention within Stormwater Harvesting Basins
The example presents a theoretical site to illustrate various combinations of permeability type,
constructed surface type and stormwater harvesting basins, both downstream of runoff and
non‐contributing rainfall only basins. The example site is 2.3 acres, representing one pre‐
developed watershed of 2.3 acres of undisturbed natural desert flowing generally in a uniformly
distributed manner to the downstream limit of the site. The site contains 0.2 acre of Mapped
Riparian Habitat.
The proposed development includes a commercial building with parking and landscaped areas.
The site grading is designed to create 6 on‐site post‐developed watersheds, WS1 – WS6. The
Mapped Riparian Habitat falls within WS1. WS1, WS2 and WS3 are to be developed as
impervious areas with downstream stormwater harvesting basins which are situated to satisfy
first‐flush retention.
WS4 and WS5 are areas disturbed by grading which also drain to stormwater harvesting in WS6
which can satisfy the first‐flush requirement for WS4 and WS5. WS4 and WS5 contain Rainfall
Only Non‐Contributing Basins which do not satisfy any first‐flush requirement because they are
not downstream of impervious or disturbed surfaces.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
The areas of both the Non‐Contributing Basins and the Stormwater Harvesting Basins which
receive runoff, .29 acre, are excluded from the area for which first‐flush retention is required.
WS6, .30 acre, does not have a first‐flush requirement because it includes only a Stormwater
Harvesting Basin and undisturbed area. However, the .15 acre of Stormwater Harvesting Basin
in WS6 counts toward First Flush Volume.
Example calculations for first‐flush volume for the post‐developed on‐site watersheds are
provided in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2
Example Site First‐flush Volume Required
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Watershed Type of Constructed Watershed SWH Area Undisturbed Watershed FF Volume
Permeability Surface Area Area Area Required
Type Subject to FF
Col. 7 X
Col. 4 – Cols. Table 2.1
5 & 6 Multiplier
acre acre acre acre ft3
WS1 Lower Impervious .75 .75 1080
WS1 Higher Impervious .20 .20 363
WS2 Lower Impervious .80 .80 1152
WS3 Lower Impervious .05 .04 .01 14
WS4 Lower Disturbed .08 .02 .06 86
WS5 Lower Disturbed .12 .08 .04 58
WS6 Lower Undisturbed .30 .15 .15 n/a n/a
and SWH
TOTAL 2.3 .29 .15 1.9 2753
Volumes of each basin were calculated using the PC‐LID spreadsheet. Non‐Contributing Rainfall
Only Basins do not count toward First Flush volume because runoff from constructed surfaces is
not directed to them.
Table 2.3 summarizes the first‐flush volume provided by this example site design.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Table 2.3
Example Site First‐flush Volume Provided
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Basin Rainfall Only Top Area Bottom SWH SWH SWH
Non‐ Area Depth Volume Volume
Contributing? counted
toward FF
acre acre ft ft3 ft3
A No .02 .014 .5 368 368
B No .02 .014 .5 368 368
C No .15 .134 .5 3091 3091
D Yes .02 .014 .5 368 n/a
E Yes .10 .089 .5 2057 n/a
Total 4198 3827
The site design provides 3827 ft3 of first‐flush volume which is more than the required 2753 ft3
of first‐flush retention volume. The retention volume in all basins can help meet the site
detention requirements.
2.3. Site Planning and Preliminary Design of LID Practices to Minimize First‐flush
Volume
Minimizing a development’s impervious footprint helps to preserve the natural hydrologic
characteristics of a site. The objective of LID is to mitigate the potential for increased runoff
due to disturbance. LID practices reduce runoff rates by minimizing the impervious and
disturbed surface area and by promoting infiltration through preservation and
enhancement of riparian areas and regulatory floodplains. Judicious layout of impervious
areas can promote increased infiltration and reduced runoff.
LID practices which minimize impervious and disturbed areas, maximize the
preservation/enhancement of riparian areas and regulatory floodplains, and maximize
infiltration will reduce the required first‐flush retention volume. By incorporating these
practices in site design during initial planning, an applicant can minimize the amount of first‐
flush runoff volume required.
During site planning, the following practices which can minimize the first‐flush runoff
volume shall be considered.
2.3.1 Minimize Disturbed, Compacted and Connected Impervious Surfaces
Fundamental elements of low impact development are reducing a development’s
impervious footprint and limiting construction disturbance. By incorporating these elements
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
at the site planning stage, an applicant has the opportunity to reduce the amount runoff
volume generated by minimizing the amount of impervious surface and by minimizing the
grading/disturbance envelope. Table 2.4 summarizes acceptable practices to minimize
imperviousness and disturbance.
Table 2.4 Acceptable Techniques to
Minimize Disturbed, Compacted and Impervious Surfaces
Phase Techniques
Consolidate buildings and other impervious areas.
Minimize developed footprint.
Planning Locate impervious surfaces on the site’s least permeable soils or
previously disturbed areas.
Minimize use of fill and avoid compacting soils.
Follow the site layout proposed during planning.
Delineate grading limits.
Design Delimit undisturbed areas which will be fenced during
construction.
Maximize use of pervious paving materials.
Disconnecting impervious surfaces provides a greater opportunity for runoff to infiltrate
into the ground. At the site planning stage, an applicant has the opportunity to establish
flow paths that avoid impervious areas and infiltrate runoff in permeable areas.
Mass-graded, Avoidance, loop roads,
traditional street configuration minimum lot frontages
Figure 2.2 Traditional Layout Compared to Alternative Compact Development Footprint
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
In addition, pervious pavements can be used to infiltrate or store water. Because pervious
pavement systems include a permeable paving surface and a subsurface material that can
hold water, they can reduce both runoff peaks and volumes. Pervious pavement systems
include porous gravel, concrete grid pavement, permeable interlocking concrete pavement,
and pervious concrete. These pavement options are appropriate for low speed vehicular
areas, such as parking lots, or for pedestrian areas, such as sidewalks.
2.3.2 Protect/Enhance Riparian Habitat and Other High Permeability Areas
Riparian habitat areas are frequently areas where infiltration rates are higher, where runoff
occurs more frequently and at greater rates, and where natural flow paths have been
established historically. Disturbance of these areas often causes the greatest impact to the
hydrology of a project site. Avoidance of riparian areas and regulatory floodplains retains
the site’s natural drainage pattern, allows for flow attenuation and additional infiltration
due to increased roughness, and provides additional buffer from the impacts of a
development on a watercourse. Acceptable techniques for protecting riparian areas and
regulatory floodplains are summarized in Table 2.5.
Table 2.5 Acceptable Techniques to
Protect/Enhance Regulated Riparian Habitat and Regulatory Floodplains
Phase Techniques
Avoid regulated riparian habitat and regulatory floodplains.
Identify available planting sites adjacent to regulated riparian
Planning habitat and regulatory floodplains.
Identify regulated riparian habitat where vegetation has been
degraded and propose appropriate plantings.
Follow the site layout proposed during planning.
Provide limits of regulated riparian habitat and regulatory
floodplains.
Design Delimit avoidance areas and enhanced planting sites.
Avoid channelizing or bank protecting within regulatory
floodplains.
Restore degraded stream banks.
At the site planning stage, protection of the regulated riparian habitat and regulatory
floodplains will reduce the first‐flush runoff volume, provide roughness to attenuate flows,
and reduce or negate the requirement for riparian habitat mitigation. In addition, retention
basins could be located immediately adjacent to existing riparian habitat in order to
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
enhance this environment by creating a buffer between the developed and riparian areas
and by providing supplemental irrigation through stormwater harvesting.
Figure 2.3 Illustration of Protection of Riparian Habitat Adjacent to Development
2.4. Use of LID Practices to Retain the First‐flush Runoff Volume
The first‐flush retention volume shall be calculated for the impervious and disturbed areas
of each post‐development on‐site watershed using Table 2.1. The total retention volume in
each watershed must equal or exceed the first‐flush runoff volume emanating from the
impervious and disturbed areas within that watershed. Retention areas that are counted
towards the first‐flush requirement must be located downstream of an impervious or
disturbed area.
Although their use if encouraged, for residential projects, stormwater or rainwater
harvesting facilities provided on individual lots shall not be counted toward the project’s
first‐flush retention requirement.
The following LID practices can satisfy or reduce the first‐flush retention requirement.
2.4.1 Stormwater Harvesting Basins
Stormwater harvesting basins are depressed earthen areas that are located and designed to
collect and retain runoff from impervious or disturbed areas such as parking lots or
rooftops, or to capture and retain rainfall, for irrigation of vegetation. If the runoff volume
that is directed to a stormwater harvesting basin exceeds the capacity of the basin, an
overflow shall be provided with the elevation of the overflow controlling how much water is
collected and retained. Except for basins designed to collect only rainfall, all stormwater
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
harvesting basins shall have an inlet. The discharge rate from water harvesting basins that
exit a project site shall not exceed a Balanced or Critical watershed discharge rate.
The maximum effective retention depth is 9 inches. If the basin is sloped, the depressed
area may contain internal berms or check dams to pond water in multiple cells with planting
areas on the upstream side of the berm. Each cell shall not retain greater than 9 inches of
water.
Maximizing stormwater harvesting throughout the site areas reduces the post‐developed
discharge rates and volumes exiting the site. When stormwater harvesting areas are not
large enough to collect all the runoff volume from adjacent impervious areas overflows will
be required. When stormwater collection systems such as storm drains are proposed,
engineered features such as elevated grate inlets allow for runoff collection before flows
enter the storm drain system. A concept sketch is shown in Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4 Elevated Grate Inlet which Maximizes Stormwater Harvesting
2.4.2 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basins
Roadside basins collect and retain runoff from impervious areas such as roadways or
parking lots. Roadside basins should be located in appropriate areas after considering other
factors such as driveway and sidewalk locations, utility locations, site visibility triangles, soil
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
conditions and catchment areas. Safety of pedestrians and vehicles shall be considered
when locating roadside basins.
When roadside basins are proposed, they shall not be located at a roadway low point in
order to assure continued flow conveyance within the roadway once the basin is full.
Roadside basins require an inlet, but an outlet is not required because flow will follow the
roadway slope rather than flowing into a basin when it is full. As shown in Figure 5.2, the
design water surface elevation in the basin is set at or above the water surface elevation
within the curbed roadway section. A roadside basin at full depth is shown in Photo 2.1.
Photo 2.1 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basin at Full Depth
2.4.3 Non‐contributing Basins
Non‐contributing Basins are stormwater harvesting basins designed to retain the entire
100‐year stormwater volume which falls on the basin or on the basin and adjacent area.
Non‐contributing area basins do not contain any means of disposal other than infiltration or
evapotranspiration. As such, they do not contribute any runoff and should be excluded
when determining post‐development watersheds.
2.4.3.1 Types of Non‐contributing Basins
Non‐contributing Basins may be of two types. A Rainfall Only Non‐contributing Basin is
designed to collect only the rainfall which falls on it, with no contribution from upstream
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
areas. An example of a Rainfall Only Basin is a landscape bufferyard with no inflow from
upstream drainage areas. A Rainfall Only Basin must be a minimum of 9” in depth to allow
a minimum of 3” of rainfall from a single event, allow for small variations in the basin
bottom for plantings and provide a freeboard of 3”. When a Rainfall Only Basin is proposed
and designed to the minimum depth, the area of the basin is not included in any peak
discharge calculations.
Photo 2.2 Rainfall Only Non‐contributing Basin
An Expanded Area Non‐contributing Basin is located at a local low point of a project site,
such as within a paved or disturbed area of the site. When this type of Non‐contributing
Basin is proposed, the ratio of the immediately upstream drainage area to the pervious
basin bottom area must not exceed 2:1. The Expanded Area Basin shall be 12” deep to
account for 9” of water storage and 3” of freeboard to the top of the adjacent drainage area
shall be provided. An Expanded Area Basin and the area draining to it that meet the above
criteria are not included in any peak discharge calculations. Figure 5.3 illustrates an
application of an Expanded Area Basin within a parking lot median.
2.4.4 Bioretention Basins
Bioretention is the practice of constructing a depressed area specifically to capture and
infiltrate water using a constructed soil medium planted with vegetation. Bioretention
basins may be used in the same location as stormwater harvesting basins or roadside
basins, but contain a soil medium that encourages infiltration, soil moisture storage and
plant growth. Bioretention basins enhance infiltration characteristics, allowing the same
surface planting area to collect more water, or potentially reducing the areal extent of
stormwater harvesting basins.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
The volume captured by a bioretention feature includes both the surface capture volume
and the void space of the engineered medium (assumed to be 30%, unless otherwise
approved by the Floodplain Administrator).
When bioretention is used, the inlet shall have a sediment trap to capture sediment and
organic compounds that may reduce infiltration.
2.5. Retention within Detention Basins
A detention basin can also be designed to retain stormwater, and the volume of the
retention within the detention basin can be used to meet the first‐flush retention
requirement.
Detention basins with uniform side slopes and no terraces may incorporate retention for a
maximum depth of 9” below the lowest outlet elevation. The volume provided below the
outlet can be counted as retention volume.
Terraces may be proposed within a detention basin in order to meet riparian habitat or
native plant requirements. Section 5.5 contains standards for retention within detention
basins.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
3. PEAK DISCHARGE RATE REDUCTION
3.1. Peak Discharge Rate Reduction Requirements
The required reduction of post‐developed 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year peak discharge rates depends
on whether the project site is located in a Balanced or Critical Basin.
Within a Balanced Basin, post‐developed peak discharge rates shall not exceed pre‐
developed peak discharge rates at the project boundary.
Within a Critical Basin, post‐developed peak discharge rates shall not exceed 90% of pre‐
developed peak discharge rates at the project boundary, unless a different percentage is
specified by the Floodplain Administrator.
A Critical Basin map is available through the Rules and Procedures page of the District’s web
page. All areas of unincorporated Pima County which are not designated as being located
within a Critical Basin are designated as being located within a Balanced Basin.
3.2. Peak Discharge Rate Determination
3.2.1 Pre‐Developed Conditions
The pre‐developed conditions peak discharge rates for each return period( ) shall be
established using the modeling methods described in the District’s Technical Policy, TECH‐
015, Acceptable Methods for Determining Peak Discharges, and Technical Policy, TECH‐018,
Acceptable Model Parameterization for Determining Peak Discharges, and any other
technical policies as specified by the Floodplain Administrator. The District’s Technical
Policies are available through the Rules and Procedures page of the District’s web page.
3.2.2 Post‐Developed Conditions
Post‐developed conditions peak discharge rates for each return period ( ) shall be
established using the same methods as for pre‐developed conditions.
3.3. Peak Discharge Rate Reduction by Stormwater Harvesting Basins
The optional use of stormwater harvesting basins throughout a project site can reduce the
size of or eliminate downstream detention basins. Distributing stormwater retention
throughout the site reduces the volume of runoff flowing to a detention basin or other
conveyance downstream and may increase the time of concentration.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Where stormwater harvesting basins are proposed, the following method, or other
acceptable methods on a case‐by‐case basis, shall be used to quantify the peak rate
reduction for each return period. Example calculations are presented in Appendix B.
1. Calculate the post‐development runoff volumes ( ) and peak discharge rates
( ) for the 2‐, 10‐, and 100‐ year events (e.g ) for
each watershed. Runoff volume shall be obtained from Equation 3.1.
Where: = runoff volume for the return period, acre feet
= runoff volume for the return period, acre feet
= weighted runoff coefficient for the return period, dimensionless
= 1‐hour rainfall depth for the return period, inches
The solution to Equation 3.1 is the runoff volume reported in the PC‐Hydro
hydrograph report. The runoff volume total obtained from the PC‐Hydro
hydrograph is an approximation of the runoff volume obtained from Equation 3.1.
2. Calculate the volume of proposed stormwater harvesting basins ( ) for each post‐
developed watershed. Retention volume within a detention basin is not included as
stormwater harvesting basin volume because retention volume within a detention
basin is incorporated in detention routing calculations.)
3. Determine the area of the watershed that will flow to or through stormwater
harvesting basins ( ) and the total watershed area ( ). Calculate the percent
watershed area draining to stormwater harvesting (WA) by Equation 3.2.
4. Calculate the ratio ( ) of the basin volume ( ) to the post‐development runoff
volume ( ) for each return period by Equation 3.3.
Or
, whichever is less.
For example,
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5. Stormwater Harvesting Factor for each return period are calculated by
Equation 3.4. See Appendix C for details on how the Stormwater Harvesting Factor
was developed and for a table of factors.
For project submittals where stormwater harvesting basins are proposed, a
spreadsheet which automatically returns the correct factor and calculates the peak
discharge rate reduction due to stormwater harvesting basins is provided in
Appendix D.
6. Use Hrp to determine the post‐development peak discharge rate with stormwater
harvesting for the return period, , by Equation 3.5.
If is equal to or less than required for balanced or critical basins for all
three return periods, then additional detention is not required.
If is greater than required for balanced or critical basins for any return
period, then additional detention is required.
In calculating the required amount of additional detention, an adjusted inflow hydrograph
which accounts for the storage volume and attenuation provided by stormwater harvesting
basins can be incorporated in the detention basin routing methods of Section 3.4.
If an adjusted inflow hydrograph is desired, the Stormwater Harvesting Hydrograph
Spreadsheet in Appendix D shall be used to convert the detention basin inflow hydrographs
without stormwater harvesting into detention basin inflow hydrographs with stormwater
harvesting. The parameters provided in this section shall be used. The method used by the
Stormwater Harvesting Spreadsheet to modify a PC‐Hydrograph to account for stormwater
harvesting is presented in Appendix E.
In addition to attenuating peak discharge rate for a given return period, ,
stormwater harvesting basins reduce the post‐development runoff volume, . The
amount of volume reduction for a given return period can be estimated by Equation 3.6 as:
when Vbas/Vpost‐rp < WA
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
When Vbas/Vpost‐rp >WA Vswh‐rp = Vpost‐rp(1‐WA)
Volume reduction can be calculated in the Stormwater Harvesting Hydrograph Spreadsheet
as well.
3.4 Methods to Calculate the Peak Discharge Rate Reduction by Detention Basins
Incorporation of LID practices and site layout practices can minimize or eliminate the
requirement for detention basin volume. When optional LID practices are not included in
site design or when LID practices do not reduce peak discharge rates to required levels,
detention basins must be included in site design.
The amount of peak discharge rate reduction provided by a detention basin shall be
determined by the storage‐indication method which calculates change in storage over a
time step by Equation 3.7:
Where:
needs formatting
= inflow at time t + 1
= inflow at time t
= outflow at time t + 1
= outflow at time t
= storage volume at time t + 1
= storage volume at time t
The average inflow over a time step minus the average outflow over a time step equals the
change in storage volume during that time step.
Developing a basin design with sufficient storage volume and an outlet design with an
appropriate storage‐discharge relationship, results in an outflow hydrograph with the target
peak discharge. The target discharge will be the pre‐developed peak discharge for Balanced
Basins or 90%of the pre‐developed peak discharge for Critical Basins. The Floodplain
Administrator may specify a percentage other than 90% for Critical Basins.
The District’s PC‐Route.xls spreadsheet is recommended for basin routing because results
are standardized and consistent across projects. Reviewer proficiency is required and not
possible when software not available to the District is utilized. Appendix F includes
information about its development, instructions and an example. The spreadsheet is
presented in Appendix G. HEC‐HMS is also acceptable software for basin routing. Other
23
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
programs in the public domain may be considered on a case‐by‐case basis. Permission to
utilize software other than the District’s spreadsheet or HEC‐HMS must be obtained in
writing from the Floodplain Administrator prior to submittal of the detention analysis.
The process of designing a basin and associated outlets is usually iterative. That is, an
estimated volume and basin shape are assumed for the first iteration. The estimated basin
volume may be obtained from Equation 3.8:
Where:
= estimate of required storage volume, acre feet
= weighted runoff coefficient reported by PC‐Hydro for developed conditions,
dimensionless
= 1‐hour rainfall depth for the design storm under investigation, inches
= watershed area, acres
= detention basin outflow, cubic feet per second
= detention basin inflow, cubic feet per second
Once an initial estimate of the storage volume is obtained, the size of outlet pipes or other
outlet types are assumed. A trial run gives results which may reach the target for all or
none of the three design storms. By adjusting the volume of the basin or the design of the
outlet, the designer can successively approximate the design needed to reach regulatory
criteria for all three design storms. First‐flush retention volume, calculated by Table 2.1,
when provided within a detention basin should be included in the detention routing
calculations.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4. DETENTION BASIN DESIGN STANDARDS
The following design standards apply when detention basins are proposed. Deviation from
these standards requires written approval of the Floodplain Administrator. Additional
standards to address specific site conditions may apply. If retention is proposed within a
Detention Basin, design shall also follow the standards in Section 5.6 which supersedes any
conflicts with this Chapter.
Requirements for Drainage Reports are provided in Chapter 9, Development Plans and
Subdivision Plats in Chapter 10, As‐Built Certification in Chapter 11 and Inspection and
Maintenance in Chapter 12. Typical details required on plans are provided in Appendix H.
4.1. Detention Basin General Requirements
1. Inspection and maintenance are required for all basins. An Inspection and
Maintenance protocol including frequency of inspection, a checklist of items to be
inspected and recommended maintenance when an inspection identifies a
maintenance requirement shall be prepared by an Arizona registrant. The protocol
may be included in the project Drainage Report or prepared as a separate
document. The protocol shall be reviewed and approved by the Floodplain
Administrator prior to approval of the tentative plat or development plan. The
protocol shall be delivered to the entity responsible for inspection and maintenance.
An example of a detention basin inspection and maintenance checklist is provided in
Appendix I.
2. To allow performance of inspection and maintenance, basins shall be legally and
physically accessible.
3. Upon completion of construction of all basins, an As‐built Certification of the basin
shall be prepared by an Arizona registrant and submitted to the Floodplain
Administrator and entity responsible for basin maintenance. The plan associated
with the As‐built Certification shall be used by the responsible party when
performing periodic inspections and when restoring the basin to design
specifications, if required. The Floodplain Administrator may utilize the certification
during enforcement actions.
4. Any modification of a basin, other than routine maintenance, that would affect
volume or performance requires a Floodplain Use Permit.
5. When detention basins are to be maintained by a private entity, such as a
Homeowners Association, this responsibility shall be described in the association’s
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions which shall refer to the Inspection and
Maintenance protocol and As‐built Certification.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4.2. Detention Basin General Prohibitions
1. Although the use of stormwater and rainwater harvesting facilities on private
residential lots is encouraged, any retention volume on private residential lots shall
not be counted towards reducing the required detention volume for the project.
2. Counting rainwater harvesting cistern volume to reduce the required detention
volume is prohibited.
3. On‐line detention within regulatory floodplains is prohibited without the approval of
the Floodplain Administrator.
4. Walls within detention basins are not allowed without the approval of the
Floodplain Administrator.
4.3. Detention Basin Location and Collection
4.3.1. Detention Basin Location and Collection Standards
1. Basins shall be located within the project boundary.
2. Basins shall be located to ensure that post‐development flow depth, width and
velocity approximate pre‐developed flow conditions when flow exits the project
boundary.
3. To allow maintenance access, a minimum 4‐foot setback from basins and
appurtenances, including basin outlets and outer toes of embankments (but not
including outlet protection), to the project boundary shall be provided, unless:
a. a greater setback is required to comply with Section 4.3.1.2, or
b. other adequate access space exists adjacent to the basin, such as right‐of‐way.
The measurement from the outlet to the property line is illustrated in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1 Minimum Setback from Property Line
26
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4. In subdivisions, detention basins shall be located in Common Area for Drainage.
5. Basins shall be located to avoid the use of embankments, if possible.
6. When basins are located to accept flows from predominantly natural areas,
sediment basins shall be required at inlets. The configuration and volume of the
sediment basin shall be determined by an engineer registered in the State of
Arizona.
7. When basins are proposed within a regulatory floodplain or erosion hazard area,
they shall be designed to withstand all flood and erosion hazards. In addition, it shall
be demonstrated that the basin will function for the 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year on‐site
flows during a flood event on the regulatory water course.
4.3.2. Detention Basin Location and Collection Prohibitions
1. Inlets or outlets which direct flow to a sidewalk or other paved pedestrian pathway
shall include a scupper or other conveyance to prevent sidewalk or pathway
overtopping by the 10‐year design discharge. Inlets or outlets shall not direct flow
over decomposed granite or other erodible pedestrian pathway.
2. Inlets or outlets shall not direct flow through a handicap accessible ramp or
handicap parking space.
3. Post‐development alterations that affect the function or design of drainage
infrastructure are prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the Floodplain
Administrator. Alterations requiring approval include, but are not limited to,
alteration of drainage structures, construction of new improvements and post‐
development site grading which increases flows or causes flows to bypass the basin.
4.4. Detention Basin Depth and Freeboard
4.4.1. Detention Basin Depth and Freeboard Standards
1. Minimum freeboard shall be 6 inches within basins constructed below natural grade
and 12 inches within basins designed with an embankment.
2. Freeboard is measured from the 100‐year water surface elevation to the lowest top
of the basin bank, as shown in Figure 4.2. The freeboard requirement does not
apply to weirs or spillways.
3. The water depth is measured from the lowest elevation on the basin floor to the top
of the 100‐year water surface elevation, as shown in Figure 4.2.
27
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 4.2 Basin Depth and Freeboard Requirements
4. Basins shall have a minimum of 1 sediment level measurement device, which can be
incorporated into the weir or the side slope, or constructed as a separate stand‐
alone device. The device(s) shall be located where sediment is likely to accumulate.
5. Basins designed for 100‐year water depths of greater than 2 feet and with side
slopes steeper than 4:1 shall have a security barrier at all locations where side slopes
are steeper than 4:1. Security barriers shall meet the requirements found in Section
4.11.
4.4.2. Detention Basin Depth Prohibition
1. 100‐year water depth shall not exceed 6 feet, unless approved by the Floodplain
Administrator.
4.5. Storage Time
4.5.1. Storage Time Standards
1. The maximum storage time for a basin that intercepts runoff from a watershed up to
10 acres in size is 12 hours. The storage time is defined as the time required for
stormwater to be removed from the basin.
2. The maximum storage time for a basin that intercepts runoff from a watershed
greater than 10 acres in size is 24 hours. The storage time is defined as the time
required for stormwater to be removed from the basin.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4.6. Basin Floor
4.6.1. Basin Floor Standards
1. Unless retention is provided in the basin, the basin floor shall be graded to a
minimum slope of 0.5% to provide positive drainage to the basin outlet, as
illustrated in Figure 4.3.
Figure 4.3 Basin Floor Minimum Slope for Positive Drainage
2. The basin floor may be hydroseeded. If hydroseeding is proposed, plant species
used in the seed mix shall be selected from the Approved Plant List provided in
Appendix B of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards and
Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/pdfs/revised_guidelines_jan2010.pdf.
3. Other types of vegetation shall comply with Section 4.17.
4.6.2. Basin Floor Prohibitions
1. Except for paths within multi‐use basins, the use of decomposed granite or rock less
than 4 inches in diameter on the basin floor is prohibited.
2. Invasive non‐native plants on the basin floor are prohibited, except for turf grass in
multi‐use basins.
4.7. Side Slopes
4.7.1. Side Slope Standards
1. Recommended side slope stabilization is presented in Table 4.1, or as otherwise
specified in the geotechnical report.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Table 4.1 Side Slope Stabilization
Side Slope Ratio Stabilization Method
Approved Hydroseed
3H:1V or flatter Screened rock with minimal fines
Dumped Riprap with Filter Fabric
Hand Placed Riprap with Filter Fabric
no steeper than 2H:1V
Gabion Mattress
no steeper than 1.5H:1V Articulated Revetment Units
Grouted Riprap
no steeper than 1H:1V Concrete Lining with Welded Wire Fabric
Gabions
steeper than 1H:1V Retaining Wall
2. The following standards apply to riprap side slope treatments:
a. Dumped riprap shall have a of at least 6 inches and be placed with
a blanket thickness of 2 times the .
b. Hand placed or dumped riprap shall consist of hard, durable angular
stone in erosive environments. In non‐erosive environments, non‐
angular stone is allowed. Gradation shall be provided as described in
Table 4.2.
Table 4.2 Dumped or Hand Placed Riprap Gradation
Dumped/Hand Placed Riprap Gradation
% Passing Size
100– 90 2.00
85‐ 70 1.50
50‐ 30 1.00
15– 5 0.67
5 ‐ 0 0.33
c. Unless grouted, rock riprap shall be underlain with filter fabric. The
filter fabric shall be woven for a minimum of 2 feet into the upper end
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
of the blanket and wrapped for a minimum of 2 feet around the riprap
base of the blanket as illustrated in Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4 Riprap Blanket with Filter Fabric End Treatment
d. Grouted riprap shall be placed on a grout bed at least 6 inches thick.
Stones shall be hard, durable and hand‐embedded into the grout bed to
a minimum depth of one‐half the grout depth.
3. When a retaining wall is proposed as a basin side slope, stability design for the
retaining wall shall be provided with the development plan or tentative plat. A
detail, accompanied by a report clearly stating the assumptions about all soil
parameters under saturated conditions, shall be provided and sealed by an
Arizona registrant.
4. When hydroseeding is proposed as slope treatment, plant species used in the
seed mix shall be selected from the Approved Plant List provided in Appendix B
of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards and
Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/pdfs/revised_guidelines_jan2010.pdf.
4.7.2. Side Slope Prohibitions
1. Free‐standing walls are not allowed as a basin side, without prior approval of the
Floodplain Administrator.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
2. Retaining walls greater than 4 feet measured from the top of the footing are not
allowed as a basin side unless prior approval is obtained from the Floodplain
Administrator.
3. Riprap that consists of rock that is not hard and durable is not allowed.
4. Invasive non‐native plants located on a basin side slope are not allowed. A list of the
invasive non‐native plants can be found in Appendix E of the Pima County Regulated
Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards and Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/pdfs/revised_guidelines_jan2010.pdf.
4.8. Inlet Structures
4.8.1. Inlet Structure Standards
1. The capacity of an inlet structure shall be determined by methods provided in:
a. Drainage and Channel Design Standards for Local Drainage for Flood Plain
Management within Pima County, Arizona,
b. The City of Tucson Standards Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain
Management in Tucson, Arizona, or
c. Other methods accepted by the Floodplain Administrator.
2. When flow crosses a sidewalk or other paved pedestrian pathway, a scupper or
other conveyance to prohibit overtopping of the 10‐year design discharge shall be
used. Inlets shall not direct flow over decomposed granite or other erodible
pedestrian pathway.
3. When pipes are used as an inlet, the minimum size allowed is 12 inches.
4. Inlets shall have erosion protection with dimensions determined by the methods
provided in the:
a. Drainage and Channel Design Standards for Local Drainage for Flood Plain
Management within Pima County, Arizona,
b. The City of Tucson Standards Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain
Management in Tucson, Arizona,
c. Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Engineer Circular No. 14; HEC‐14,
or
d. Other methods accepted by the Floodplain Administrator.
5. The erosion protection shall extend below the finished grade of the basin floor
and/or side slope to the appropriate design depth. The surface of the erosion
protection shall be level with the finished grade.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
6. Unless grouted, rock riprap shall be underlain with filter fabric. The filter fabric shall
be woven for a minimum of 2 feet into the upslope end of the blanket and wrapped
for a minimum of 2 feet around the riprap base of the blanket on the down‐slope
end as shown in Figure 4.4.
Photo 4.1 shows a basin inlet in service which does not exhibit degradation of the basin
slopes or floor near the inlet, indicating that an adequate riprap transition was provided.
The standards in this manual attempt to provide guidance for designs which will remain
well‐maintained during the project life.
Photo 4.1 Basin Inlet with Riprap Protection
Photo 4.2 illustrates inadequate riprap placement resulting in erosion extending away
from the basin inlet erosion protection.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Photo 4.2 Basin Inlet with Inadequate Riprap Placement
4.8.2. Inlet Structure Prohibitions
1. Inlets shall not direct flow through a handicap accessible ramp or handicap parking
space.
2. Ponding exceeding 12 inches in depth at an inlet located in a vehicular use area is
prohibited.
4.9. Outlet Structures
4.9.1. Outlet Structure Standards
1. Outlets shall be designed to ensure that flows exiting the project boundary are
compatible with the existing downstream drainage conditions and will not have an
adverse impact on surrounding properties.
2. Outlets shall be designed to release flow from the basin at rates that do not exceed
the 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year pre‐development peak discharge rates as determined by
the methods specified in Chapter 3. Illustrations of outlet structures indicating that
outlets must be designed for 3 design storms are shown in Figures 4.5 and 4.6 and
Photo 4.3. The examples are illustrative only and not intended to be proposed or
required designs.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 4.5 Multi‐Level Weir Outlet for the 2‐, 10‐, and 100‐year Storm
Figure 4.6 Combination Weir – Culvert Outlet
35
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Photo 4.3 Combination Weir Box
3. The capacity of outlet structures shall be determined using methods provided in:
a. Drainage and Channel Design Standards for Local Drainage for Flood Plain
Management within Pima County, Arizona,
b. The City of Tucson Standards Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain
Management in Tucson, Arizona, or
c. Other methods accepted by the Floodplain Administrator.
4. Outlets which direct flow to a sidewalk or other paved pedestrian pathway shall
include a scupper or other conveyance to prevent sidewalk or pathway overtopping
by the 10‐year design discharge. Outlets shall not direct flow over decomposed
granite or other erodible pedestrian pathway.
5. Outlets shall have erosion protection with dimensions determined by the methods
provided in:
a. Drainage and Channel Design Standards for Local Drainage for Flood Plain
Management within Pima County, Arizona,
b. The City of Tucson Standards Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain
Management in Tucson, Arizona,
c. Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Engineer Circular No. 14; HEC‐14, or
d. Other methods accepted by the District.
6. The erosion protection shall be placed beneath the finished grade of the
downstream side of the outlet to the appropriate design depth. The surface of the
erosion protection shall be level with the finished grade.
7. Unless grouted, rock riprap shall be underlain with filter fabric. The filter fabric shall
be woven a minimum of 2 feet into the upslope end of the blanket and wrapped for
36
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
a minimum of 2 feet around the riprap base of the blanket on the down‐slope end as
shown in Figure 4.4.
4.9.2. Outlet Structure Prohibition
1. Outlets shall not direct flow to a handicap accessible ramp or handicap parking
space.
4.10. Embankments
An embankment, for the purposes of this manual, is a side of a detention basin constructed
above natural grade. A typical embankment is illustrated in Photo 4.4.
Photo 4.4 Residential Subdivision Basin with Embankment
4.10.1. Embankment Standards
1. When site constraints prevent a basin from being constructed entirely below grade,
an embankment is allowed. Site constraints include topography, existing
infrastructure and conflicting code requirements.
2. When an embankment is proposed, the applicant shall include an embankment
section in the Drainage Report describing at least the following:
a. The physical environment downstream of the embankment, such as natural
drainage paths, drainage infrastructure, developed property, and distance to
property boundary;
b. Expected flow conditions in the event of embankment failure; and
37
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
c. Possible effects to public safety and property in the event of embankment
failure.
3. Embankments shall have a top width of the 100‐year ponding depth or 2 feet,
whichever is greater.
4. Embankments shall have at least 1 foot of freeboard above the 100‐year water
surface elevation in the basin.
5. Embankments shall be compacted to at least 95% of Standard Proctor density.
6. A minimum of 6 inches, or depth recommended by an engineer registered in the
State of Arizona, of in‐situ soil beneath the embankment base shall be excavated
prior to embankment construction.
7. When an outlet is placed through an embankment, an anti‐seep collar or equal, shall
be provided as specified by an Arizona registered engineer.
8. To allow maintenance access, a minimum 4‐foot setback from the outer toes of
embankments (not including outlet protection) to the project boundary shall be
provided, unless:
a. a greater setback is required to comply with Section 4.3.1.2, or
b. other adequate access space exists adjacent to the basin, such as right‐of‐way.
Width, spillway and setback measurement are illustrated in Figure 4.7.
Figure 4.7 Embankment Requirements
9. When embankments are designed to impound greater than 1 foot of water,
a. An emergency spillway shall be provided,
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
b. The emergency spillway invert elevation shall be at the 100‐year water surface
elevation,
c. The invert and the downstream side of the emergency spillway, as shown in
Figure 4.7, shall be constructed of impervious material,
d. The design capacity of the emergency spillway shall be the pre‐developed 100‐
year peak discharge outflow rate. The outlet is not included in the routing
because it is at the 100‐year water surface elevation which is the highest water
surface elevation used for routing,
e. The location of the emergency spillway shall not create any adverse impact to
surrounding properties.
10. When an embankment is located within an erosion hazard setback or regulatory
sheet flood area, an engineering analysis shall be provided to determine erosion
protection requirements which will protect the embankment from lateral migration
of the watercourse or other erosion hazards.
11. A covenant which specifies, or Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CCR’s) which
include, inspection and maintenance responsibilities shall be recorded when a basin
includes an embankment. An example covenant can be found in Appendix J. The
covenant or CCR’s shall be reviewed and approved prior to approval of the
development plan or plat. Properly executed covenants shall be provided to the
District for recording prior to approval of the development plan or plat.
4.10.2. Embankment Prohibition
1. Embankments that are classified as dams pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §45‐
1201 are prohibited.
4.11. Security Barrier
4.11.1. Security Barrier Standards
1. Basins designed for 100‐year water depths of more than 2 feet and with side slopes
steeper than 4:1 shall have a security barrier at all locations where side slopes are
steeper than 4:1.
2. Security barrier shall be a minimum of 42 inches high.
3. The security barrier shall consist of metal, masonry or a combination of the two,
meeting the minimum standards in the latest edition of the City of Tucson/Pima
County Standard Details for Public Improvements.
39
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4. When 100‐year water depths exceed 2 feet and pedestrian circulation occurs within
5 feet of the top of a basin, a security barrier shall be constructed. Pedestrian
circulation includes ingress/egress to structures, sidewalks, parking or other
accessory structures.
5. When vehicle maintenance access is required, a gate or bollards shall be provided at
the appropriate location.
4.11.2. Security Barrier Prohibitions
1. The use of vegetation as a security barrier is prohibited.
2. Security barriers shall not restrict the hydraulic capacity of basin inlet and outlet
structures.
4.12. Perimeter Walls
4.12.1. Perimeter Wall Standards
1. When perimeter walls have openings that allow flow to enter into a basin, erosion
protection that meets the minimum standards for of Section 4.8 for inlets shall be
provided.
2. When a wall is proposed within 5 feet of the horizontal location of the 100‐year
water depth, a report from an engineer registered in the State of Arizona shall be
provided prior to approval of the construction permit that contains at least the
following:
a. The appropriate minimum setback from the top of slope, and
b. Specific structural design requirements with details.
4.12.2. Perimeter Wall Prohibitions
1. Perimeter walls shall not block maintenance access.
2. Perimeter walls shall not restrict the hydraulic capacity of inlet or outlet structures.
3. Perimeter walls are not allowed on embankments.
4.13. Underground Storage
4.13.1. Underground Storage Standards
40
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
1. Where underground storage is proposed, failure or blockage of the system shall not
pose a hazard to public safety or property. Design considerations shall include
underground storage location and emergency flow conveyance.
2. All stormwater collected during a storm event shall be removed within the disposal
time specified in Section 4.5.
3. Underground storage shall have inlets and outlets which meet the design standards
found in Sections 4.8 and 4.9.
4. Underground storage systems shall provide 1.5 times the required 100‐year
detention volume. The additional 50% of the volume can be provided on the surface
so that issues with improper drainage are observable.
5. Minimum underground storage chamber size shall be 5 feet, unless manholes are
provided for inspection and maintenance.
6. To provide for safe discharge of flow when the volume of an underground storage
system is exceeded, an overflow outlet shall be provided which discharges to a
drainage path which can convey flow away from structures, electrical equipment,
pedestrian pathways, handicap‐accessible ramps, hazardous materials, and other
areas where stormwater is likely to create damage to health, welfare or property.
7. A recorded covenant which specifies inspection and maintenance responsibilities is
required for an underground storage system. An example covenant can be found in
Appendix J. The covenant shall be recorded prior to approval of the development
plan or plat, and the Sequence No. or a note stating that covenant has been
recorded shall be provided on the development plan or plat adjacent to the
underground storage location on the plan view.
8. Prior to approval of the tentative Plat or development plan, a report from an
engineer registered in the State of Arizona shall be provided that contains at least
the following:
a. Appropriate building setbacks from the underground storage system related to
structural integrity,
b. Certification that the load bearing capacity of the soils underlying the
underground storage structure is adequate and the soil complex is appropriate
bed material,
c. Structural design details, and
d. Other design recommendations if appropriate.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4.14. Setbacks
4.14.1. Setback Standards
1. For maintenance access, a minimum 4‐foot setback from basins and appurtenances,
including basin outlets and outer toes of embankments but not including outlet
protection, to the project boundary or to the limit of other access space shall be
provided.
2. Because soil bearing capacity within a potential zone of saturation may be reduced,
structures shall be setback at least 15 feet from a basin, unless an appropriate
alternative setback is justified by an engineer registered in the State of Arizona prior
to approval of the tentative plat or development plan.
3. When a wall is proposed within 5 feet of the horizontal location of the 100‐year
water surface elevation, a report from an engineer registered in the State of Arizona
shall be provided prior to approval of the construction permit that contains at least
the following:
a. The appropriate setback, and
b. Specific structural design requirements with details.
4.14.2. Setback Prohibition
1. Structures, walls, or other obstructions are prohibited within maintenance access
setbacks.
4.15. Elevation Requirements
1. Any electrical equipment, excluding submersible pumps, within the basin shall be
elevated 1 foot above the 100‐year water surface elevation of the basin, unless an
engineer registered in the State of Arizona certifies that the electrical equipment
when inundated does not pose any hazard to public health or safety.
4.16. Maintenance Access
4.16.1. Maintenance Access Standards
1. Maintenance access is required for all basins, and the access must be shown on the
plans and described in the project drainage report.
2. In order to provide maintenance access, a minimum 4‐foot setback from basin
appurtenances and outer toes of embankments, not including outlet protection, to
42
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
the project boundary or to the limit of other access space, such as right‐of‐way, shall
be provided. An example of a setback from a property line is shown in Figure 4.1.
4.16.2. Maintenance Access Prohibition
1. Obstruction of maintenance access or a maintenance access ramp is prohibited.
4.17. Landscaping Other Than Riparian Habitat Mitigation
4.17.1. Landscaping Standards
1. Vegetation may be planted on a basin floor or on a basin side slope that is 3:1 or
flatter except in areas within a 20‐foot radius of the basin inlet, outlet or
maintenance access ramp. Plants on the perimeter of a basin shall not obstruct
drainage entering or exiting the basin.
2. Plants which can withstand inundation shall be selected.
3. Plants shall be spaced to allow access for maintenance.
4. Trees located adjacent to a required security barrier shall be placed an appropriate
distance from the barrier to assure that the tree at maturity does not reduce the
structural integrity of the security barrier.
5. Hydroseeding is allowed on the basin floor and 3:1 or flatter side slopes. Plant
species used in the seed mix shall be selected from the Approved Plant List provided
in Appendix B of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards
and Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/guidelines/pdfs/onsite‐guidelines.pdf.
4.17.2. Landscaping Prohibitions
1. Any vegetation within the 20‐foot radius described in Section 4.18.1 is prohibited.
2. Landscaping shall not be located within maintenance access ramps.
3. The use of decomposed granite or rock less than 4 inches in diameter on the basin
floor is prohibited, except paths within multi‐use basins.
4. Invasive non‐native plants located within a basin are not allowed, except turf grass
within multi‐use basins.
43
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4.18. Pumps
4.18.1. Pump Standards
1. The use of a pump may be allowed if site constraints prevent the basin from having
positive drainage. Site constraints may include topography, existing infrastructure
and conflicting code requirements. Approval to use a pump shall be obtained from
the Floodplain Administrator prior to the first submittal of the tentative plat or
development plan.
2. If a pump is proposed, the detention system shall provide an emergency spillway
directed to a local watercourse that does not cause an adverse impact to the
watercourse or neighboring properties and one of the following:
a. Additional basin volume to contain the entire volume of the 100‐year post‐
developed hydrograph from the drainage area contributing to the basin, or
b. A back‐up pump with an emergency power source. If an emergency back‐up
generator is proposed, the generator shall be elevated 1 foot above the 100‐year
water surface considering total pump failure or shall be waterproofed.
3. Service equipment (excluding components whose design requires submersion) shall
be set at an elevation 1 foot above the unattenuated 100‐year water surface
elevation, considering total failure of the pump system.
4. Outlets shall be designed to meet the requirements found in Section 4.9.
5. Pumps shall be in an accessible location for routine maintenance and emergency
service.
6. Basins with a pump shall meet the storage time standards found in Section 4.5.
7. The pump’s discharge rate shall not exceed the pre‐developed conditions 2‐year
peak discharge rate.
8. The collection system shall discharge into a separate sump that screens the water
before entering the pump sump. The sump location and dimensions shall be shown
on the plan set.
9. A clogging factor of 2.0 shall be used for the trash rack/screen design.
10. The pump shall be designed to pass 3‐inch solids.
11. A pump shall be provided with an automatic control switch with a vertical float
mechanism as well as a manual control.
44
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
12. A potable water supply with hose bibs shall be provided to aid in removal of silt and
trash.
13. Each pump shall have an alarm system for high water and low water alarm with, at
minimum, the following:
a. A light that provides a visual alert,
b. The name and phone number of a responsible party clearly displayed on the
pump housing and alarm system,
c. Housing that is vandal proof and weather resistant, and
d. Other Floodplain Administrator recommendations as appropriate.
14. A recorded covenant which specifies inspection and maintenance responsibilities is
required when a pump is used as a method of stormwater disposal. An example
covenant can be found in Appendix J. The covenant shall be recorded prior to
approval of the development Plan or plat, and the Sequence No. or a note stating
that a covenant has been recorded shall be provided on the development plan or
plat adjacent to the pump location on the plan view.
15. The project’s Drainage Report shall provide the following information:
a. Emergency back‐up plan,
b. Drainage exhibit showing drainage flow under clogged conditions,
c. Maintenance Plan with at minimum the following:
i. Maintenance schedule,
ii. Type of maintenance activities,
iii. Exhibit showing the location of the pump, alarm systems and other
equipment, and
iv. Copy of the covenant.
16. A pump system analysis shall be submitted for Floodplain Administrator review and
approval with the tentative plat or development plan. The analysis shall include:
a. Site Data
i. Contributing drainage area(s),
ii. Location of outfall,
iii. Capacity of outfall, and
iv. Inflow hydrograph(s).
b. Pump System Components
i. Specifications for the model and type of pump(s) proposed including
pump curves (single pump and parallel operation). Overloading the
pump anywhere on the pump curve is not permitted,
ii. Location and specifications for intakes and catch basins,
iii. Controls and alarm system,
iv. Debris handling,
v. Location of potable water supply, and
vi. Location and design of emergency overflow.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
c. Hydrologic/Hydraulic Analysis
i. Headloss calculations for the entire system, including maximum and
minimum Total Dynamic Head (TDH) and flow rate,
ii. Net positive suction head (NPSH) and pump level settings for on, off and
alarm positions, and
iii. Inflow and outflow hydrographs and accumulated inflow and outflow
curves (mass flow curves). The use of HEC‐HMS is not appropriate for the
design of pump systems. A real‐time procedure which routes the design
inflow hydrograph using pump on and off elevations and actual pump
performance curves must be used.
4.19. Dry Wells
4.19.1. Dry Well Standards
1. When site constraints justify use of a dry well or dry wells to dispose of detention
volume, approval to include a dry well or dry wells in basin design shall be obtained
from the Floodplain Administrator prior to the first submittal of the tentative plat or
development plan. When requesting the approval, the engineer must submit field
investigation results and a preliminary site plan.
a. The field investigations shall include:
i. Logs for soil borings to the anticipated depth of the dry well,
ii. Determination of depth to groundwater in the proposed locations of dry
wells, and
iii. A percolation testing report by an Arizona registered engineer. The
percolation testing report shall include the testing methods and results.
b. The preliminary site plan shall include at minimum:
i. The location of the proposed dry well(s) and test well(s),
ii. The location of the proposed structure(s) with the building footprint,
iii. Parking lot layout including pedestrian circulation, and
iv. The general drainage scheme.
2. Where dry wells are proposed as the sole method of outflow, the basin shall be
designed to retain the total of the 100‐year storm.
3. Where a dry well is proposed, failure of the system shall not pose a hazard to public
safety or property.
4. Dry wells shall be registered with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) and designed, operated, and maintained in conformance with the most
current ADEQ guidelines.
46
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5. To obtain percolation rates to use in the design of the dry well(s) a percolation test
shall be performed to determine a stabilized infiltration rate.
6. Test results shall be de‐rated, using Equation 4.1, based on the in‐situ soil
conditions. De‐rating is required to compensate for deterioration of the percolation
capacity over time and to provide a factor of safety for silting and grate obstruction
Where:
= the design percolation rate in inches/hour,
= the measured stabilized percolation rate in inches/hour, and
= the de‐rating factor.
a. The following de‐rating factors shall be used:
i. A de‐rating factor of 2 for coarse‐grained soils (cobbles, gravels and
sands),
ii. A de‐rating factor of 3 for fine grained soils (silts and loams), and
iii. A de‐rating factor of 5 for clay soils.
b. The design disposal rate for a dry well, after application of the de‐rating factor,
should not be less than 0.1 cfs per well nor more than 0.5 cfs. Upon approval of
performance, adjusted as presented above, a test well may then be used as one
of the functioning dry wells for the project.
c. Drywells not performing to the original design standards shall be refurbished or
replaced by the owner or a representative.
7. Dry wells shall be located into a permeable porous stratum to provide a minimum
distance of 10 feet between the water table or an impermeable layer and the base
of the injection screen and shall be a minimum distance of 100 feet from any water
supply well.
8. When dry wells are proposed, the basin floor shall be sloped to the dry wells at a
minimum of 0.5% to assure that all wells are utilized for lower water levels.
9. Multiple drywells shall be spaced a minimum of 100 feet apart.
10. A dry well shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from the basin inlet.
11. If landscaping is proposed on the basin floor, the dry well inlet shall be raised 3
inches above the basin bottom elevation.
47
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
12. The dry well location shall be in an accessible location for routine maintenance and
inspection and shall be protected from damage by vehicles.
13. The design of a dry well shall include provisions for trapping sediment within a
settling chamber.
14. The system shall use a floating absorbent blanket or pillow to enhance the removal
of petroleum‐based organics floating on the water, and a hydrophobic
petrochemical absorbent with a minimum capacity of 100 ounces per chamber shall
be provided.
15. During site development, 1 dry well per basin shall be tested. All dry wells shall be
securely covered with filter cloth or other material to prevent silt infiltration during
construction. Prior to Release of Assurances for plats and prior to Certificate of
Occupancy for development plans, dry wells shall be re‐tested if a dry well has been
compromised during construction. If the re‐test indicates reduced dry well
performance, the dry well shall be restored to design specifications prior to Release
of Assurances for plats or prior to Certificate of Occupancy for development plans.
16. Landscaping shall be installed a minimum of 4 feet from the perimeter of the bolted
ring and grate.
17. The words “Stormwater Only” shall be stamped in raised letters on the drywell
grate.
18. A recorded covenant which specifies inspection and maintenance responsibilities is
required when a dry well is used as a method of stormwater disposal. An example
covenant can be found in Appendix J. The covenant shall be recorded prior to
approval of the development plan or plat, and the Sequence No. or a note stating
that a covenant has been recorded shall be provided on the development plan or
plat adjacent to the dry well location on the plan view.
19. A typical drywell installation is shown in Figure 4.8. A photo of a commercial basin
with a drywell installation is shown in Photo 4.4. Debris that has collected after a
storm event is evident in Photo 4.4. Regular maintenance and providing clearance
surrounding the inlet are important management practices for drywells.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 4.8 Typical Drywell Installation
Photo 4.4 Detention Basin Drywell Installation
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
20. The project’s Drainage Report shall provide the following information:
a. Plan for emergency stormwater disposal in the event the drywell(s) cease(s) to
function,
b. Maintenance Plan with at minimum the following:
i. Maintenance schedule,
ii. Type of maintenance activities,
iii. Exhibit showing the location(s) of the drywell(s),
iv. Contact information of the driller or authorized maintenance
professional, and
v. A copy of the covenant.
4.19.2. Dry Well Prohibitions
1. Disposal methods using infiltration shall not be permitted for stormwater runoff
which carries significant concentrations of sediment. This includes stormwater
runoff flowing through sand bed channels, as well as stormwater runoff emanating
from a predominantly natural watershed.
2. Dry wells are prohibited for industrial developments and other areas where
hazardous waterborne pollutants may enter a dry well.
3. In multi‐use basins, dry well inlets shall not pose a hazard to pedestrian safety.
4. Landscaping shall not impair dry well function.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5. LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT DESIGN STANDARDS
Low Impact Development (LID) requires a shift in stormwater management away from
conveying runoff to a small number of downstream points through hydraulically efficient
infrastructure toward retaining and using the runoff as close as possible to the source of the
runoff. The use of distributed stormwater management infrastructure should be evaluated
during site planning and site design.
During site planning, the planner must consider the site’s natural hydrology when locating
proposed improvements. The planner should identify hydrologic features including existing
flow paths, areas with higher permeability soils, and riparian areas. Objectives of LID are to
minimize the impact to these areas and to attempt to mimic natural hydrologic processes in
impacted areas.
Another goal of site planning is to design the development to function within the smallest
possible footprint.
Once site layout is completed, the designer must consider the appropriateness of other LID
practices that can be constructed to reduce runoff discharge rates and volumes by slowing
down flow and retaining runoff for beneficial use.
This chapter provides minimum criteria for constructed LID practices proposed during site
design.
5.1. Low Impact Development General Requirements
1. Projects shall retain the first 0.5 inch of rainfall that flows off of impervious and
disturbed surfaces (first‐flush retention). The applicant shall demonstrate that the
required retention volume, calculated by Table 2.1, is provided within stormwater
harvesting basins or within a detention basin.
2. Site planning shall occur to minimize disturbed, compacted and connected
impervious surfaces and to protect and enhance regulated riparian habitat,
regulatory floodplains and other high permeability areas.
3. Where present, connections between impervious and disturbed areas shall be
minimized.
4. LID practices shall be distributed throughout the project site.
5. Inspection and maintenance protocols are required for all projects using LID
practices. The inspection and maintenance protocols shall be reviewed and
approved by the Floodplain Administrator prior to approval of the tentative plat or
development plan.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
6. To allow for inspection and maintenance, LID practices shall be legally and physically
accessible.
7. Upon completion of construction of all LID practices, an as‐built certification shall be
prepared and submitted to the Floodplain Administrator and to the entity
responsible for maintenance. The As‐built Certification shall be used by the
responsible party when performing periodic inspections and maintenance when
restoring the LID practices to design specifications, if required. The Floodplain
Administrator may use the As‐built Certification during enforcement actions.
8. When LID practices are to be maintained by a private entity, such as a Homeowners
Association, this responsibility shall be described in the association’s Covenants,
Conditions and Restrictions which shall refer to the inspection and maintenance
protocol and As‐Built Certification.
5.2. Low Impact Development General Prohibitions
1. Although the use of stormwater and rainwater harvesting facilities on private
residential lots is encouraged, any retention volume on private residential lots shall
not be counted towards the first‐flush retention or detention requirement.
2. The volume of rainwater harvesting cisterns or other practices that do not allow for
infiltration of runoff to occur shall not be counted towards satisfying the first‐flush
retention requirement.
5.3. Stormwater Harvesting Basins
5.3.1. General Standards for Stormwater Harvesting Basins
The following standards are applicable to all stormwater harvesting basins.
1. Stormwater harvesting basins shall be located so that the basin can effectively
capture and retain stormwater.
2. Stormwater harvesting basins shall be designed to retain no more than 9 inches and
no less than 6 inches of stormwater. The depth is measured from the lowest
elevation on the basin floor to the 100‐year water surface of the basin.
3. Minimum freeboard for stormwater harvesting basins is 3 inches.
4. Basin floors shall allow for uniform ponding across the entire basin.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5. When terraced cells are proposed, each cell of a terraced basin may be considered
separately when determining basin depth, and each cell shall allow for uniform
ponding.
6. Stormwater harvesting basins shall be constructed entirely below finished grade,
except when designing basins within existing natural flow paths. Alternative designs
require approval by the Floodplain Administrator.
7. All side slopes of a stormwater harvesting basin shall be 3:1 or flatter unless the side
slope is rock lined.
8. Except for Rainfall Only Non‐contributing Basins, stormwater harvesting basins shall
be designed with an inlet. The inlet shall meet the following criteria:
a. The inlet shall be located to accept flow from the contributing watershed.
b. Inlet erosion protection shall be placed at a width sufficient to encompass flow
expansion downstream of the inlet. Non‐grouted rock shall consist of minimum
4‐inch rock hand‐placed in two layers on filter fabric level with finished grade.
Grouted rock shall be embedded into the concrete a minimum of ½ the rock
diameter with flat faces placed to provide a level surface. Other inlet protection
as approved by the Floodplain Administrator may be utilized.
c. Rock berms or other pervious rim 4 – 6 inches high shall be placed at the
downstream end of the inlet to provide a sediment trap, as shown in Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1 Sediment Trap
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
d. When a stormwater harvesting basin is located adjacent to a parking area, the
inlet shall be sized to prevent ponding greater than 1 foot deep during the 100‐
year event within the parking area.
9. When an outlet is proposed, the outlet shall meet the following criteria:
a. The outlet shall be located where it does not pose a hazard to pedestrian
circulation or create an adverse impact to structures, infrastructure or adjacent
properties. The outlet discharge shall not exceed the capacity of downstream
infrastructure or balanced or critical basin discharge requirements.
b. Outlet erosion protection shall be provided as follows:
i. For outflows onto earthen surfaces, outlet protection shall be provided at a
width sufficient to encompass flow expansion downstream of the outlet.
When rock is not grouted rock, it shall consist of minimum 4‐inch angular
rock hand‐placed in two layers on filter fabric. Grouted rock shall be
embedded in concrete a minimum of ½ the rock diameter; or
ii. For outflows onto pavement, a 4” thick concrete cut‐off wall shall be placed
at the outlet extending to the basin floor.
10. When stormwater harvesting basins with terraced cells are proposed, internal check
dams to pond water shall be provided.
a. The minimum freeboard shall be measured from the top of the check dam to the
lowest finished grade adjacent to each cell.
b. Check dams shall be keyed in a minimum 12 inches into the side of the basin.
11. For safety and access purposes, stormwater harvesting basins shall have the
following setbacks, as measured from the top of the basin slope:
a. Minimum 1 foot from a sidewalk or other pedestrian access path and from off‐
street parking areas.
b. Minimum 2 feet from back of curb or edge of pavement for streets with on‐
street parking.
c. Minimum 6” from back of curb or edge of pavement for streets with no on‐street
parking.
d. Minimum 10 feet from structures, or minimum setback specified in a
geotechnical report for the project.
e. Minimum 4 feet from the property boundary or other access space for
maintenance access.
12. Landscaping within stormwater harvesting basins is encouraged.
a. All areas within a stormwater harvesting basin except for check dams may be
used for planting area, and
b. Planting domes or other raised areas on the basin floor are acceptable as long as
retention volume is maintained.
c. Hydroseeding is allowed within a stormwater harvesting basin. The seed mix
shall have plant species from the Approved Plant List provided in Appendix B of
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards and
Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/guidelines/pdfs/onsite‐guidelines.pdf.
Original design volume shall be maintained over the life of project.
13. LID practices in subdivisions shall be located in Common Area, easement designated
for drainage, or other publicly accessible space.
5.3.2. Stormwater Harvesting Basin Prohibition
The following prohibition applies to stormwater harvesting basins.
Invasive non‐native plants located within a stormwater harvesting basin are not allowed
and must be removed if found within the basin. A list of the invasive non‐native plants
can be found in Appendix E of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation
Standards and Implementation Guidelines available at:
http://rfcd.pima.gov/wrd/riparian/pdfs/revised_guidelines_jan2010.pdf.
5.4. Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basins
When a roadside stormwater harvesting basin is proposed to be located within a public
right‐of‐way, a right‐of‐way use permit shall be obtained prior to construction as
required. Written permission from the jurisdiction shall be submitted with the tentative
plat or development plan.
When a roadside stormwater harvesting basin is proposed to be located adjacent to a
private street, the basin should be located within Common Area or within a drainage
easement.
Whether the location is public right‐of‐way or private property, site design shall include
careful consideration of the location of utilities and access points.
The following standards apply to stormwater harvesting basins that are located adjacent
and parallel to a street for the purpose of collecting runoff from the street:
1. Curb openings for roadside stormwater harvesting basins shall meet the following
criteria:
a. Curb openings shall be separated from driveway aprons and other curb openings
by a minimum distance of 10 feet,
b. Curb openings shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from an end of a curb
return (corner),
c. Curb openings proposed on existing curbs (retrofit) shall be made by a saw cut
method, and
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
d. Curb openings shall be a maximum of 2 feet in width with 45‐degree sloped
sides.
e. The bottom of the curb cut shall be a minimum 4” below any other point along
the edge of the basin.
2. Basin side slopes shall be 3:1 or flatter.
3. Roadside stormwater harvesting basins shall be a maximum of 9” in depth.
A typical cross‐section is provided in Figure 5.2.
Figure 5.2 Roadside Stormwater Harvesting Basin
5.5. Stormwater Harvesting Basins Adjacent to Parking Areas
When stormwater harvesting basins are proposed adjacent to parking areas, the top of the
basins shall be separated horizontally from edge of the parking area by a minimum of 1
foot.
5.6. Non‐contributing Basin Standards
Non‐Contributing Basins are basins designed to retain the full 100‐year stormwater volume
and can be excluded from calculations to determine post‐development peak discharges.
Non‐Contributing Basins shall be designed to meet the following standards:
1. The maximum water storage depth shall be 9 inches.
2. A minimum of 3 inches of freeboard shall be provided for Non‐Contributing Basins.
3. Non‐Contributing Basins shall be located where they do not pose a safety hazard or
create an adverse impact to adjacent properties and structures.
4. Basin bottoms shall provide for uniform ponding.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5. Side slopes shall be 3:1 or flatter.
6. For Expanded Area Non‐Contributing Basins, the ratio of the upstream drainage area
to the pervious basin bottom shall not exceed 2:1.
7. The use of parking and access lane areas for retention and freeboard is allowed for
Expanded Area Non‐Contributing Basins.
Figure 5.3 illustrates a concept for Extended Area Non‐Contributing Basins, capturing
the full volume from adjacent parking areas, which have drainage areas meeting the
upstream drainage area ratio of 2:1.
Figure 5.3 Expanded Area Non‐Contributing Basin in a Parking Lot Median
5.7. Bioretention Basin
Bioretention basins are engineered basins consisting of an over‐excavated area that is
replaced with a constructed soil medium to aid in runoff storage and infiltration.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
1. The bioretention basin shall consist of:
a. A subbase of a 6” – 24” layer of coarse aggregate (gravel) that is washed to
remove fine material,
b. A soil media barrier placed between the subbase and a constructed soil
medium. The Floodplain Administrator may approve use of a filter fabric or other
subbase containment if conveyance requirements must be met.
c. A constructed soil medium that is a mixture of sand (85% ASTM C‐33 sand by
volume) and organic material (15%) such as peat, top soil, mulch, or compost
which has been mixed in a drum mixer. The constructed soil medium shall be 16”
– 36” . Alternative soil media require prior approval by the Floodplain
Administrator.
2. The bioretention basin shall have a flat‐topped surface that is depressed a minimum
of 6 inches and a maximum of 12 inches below adjacent finished grade. Side slopes
shall be 3:1 or flatter.
3. Because soil bearing capacity within a potential zone of saturation may be reduced,
bioretention basins shall be set back horizontally from a structure a minimum of 5
feet, unless an appropriate alternative setback is justified by a geotechnical engineer
registered in the State of Arizona prior to approval of the tentative plat or
development plan.
4. Bioretention basins shall provide a sediment trap located at the downstream end of
the inlet, as shown in Figure 5.1.
5. A vertical inspection pipe shall be provided in order to assess the effectiveness of
the bioretention basin. The pipe shall be perforated 4‐inch PVC or equivalent and
shall extend from the bottom of the gravel sub‐base to the top of the constructed
soil medium with a removable cap. See Figure 5.4.
Figure 5.4 Bioretention Basin
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
5.8. Retention Within A Detention Basin
A retention area for first‐flush retention or stormwater harvesting may be constructed
within a detention basin. Areas not designated for retention may be used for landscaping
or riparian habitat mitigation. The following standards, illustrated in Figure 5.4, apply:
1. A maximum of 9 inches of retention is allowed. The depth is measured from the
lowest elevation on the basin floor to the lowest outlet invert elevation.
2. The retention area shall connect the basin inlet to the outlet, and meet the following
criteria:
a. The width of the retention bottom area shall be a minimum of 4 feet to allow for
maintenance of this area,
b. Any plantings or invasive vegetation in the retention area are prohibited and
shall not obstruct maintenance activities or compromise the design volume.
c. The use of check dams in the retention area in order to create cells of uniform
depth is allowed.
d. The retention area floor shall provide for uniform ponding.
e. Retention areas shall have 3:1 or flatter earthen side slopes.
3. If vegetated areas on terraces above the retention area are proposed, the following
apply:
a. Berms to harvest stormwater are allowed on the terraces.
b. If bermed, terraces shall provide for uniform ponding. Planting terraces shall be
elevated to the top of the retention area.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 5.4 Terraced Detention Basin with Retention
5. 9. Pervious Pavements
Pervious pavements can be used to infiltrate or store water. Because pervious pavement
systems include a permeable paving surface and a subsurface material that can hold water,
they can reduce runoff peak and volume. Use of pervious pavements for commercial and
residential projects may require a variance to the Subdivision and Development Street
Standards. Pavement design should be performed in areas of vehicular use. Acceptable types
of pervious pavement installations are provided below.
Porous gravel is well‐suited for industrial applications that do not pose a risk to groundwater
and rural, low‐traffic uses. A low‐traffic commercial parking area is shown in Photo 5.1, and a
gravel cross‐section is shown in Figure 5.5.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Photo 5.1 Porous Gravel Installation
Figure 5.5 Porous Gravel Cross‐Section
Concrete grid pavement consists of a concrete matrix with a minimum of 20% of free‐draining
surface area. A concrete grid is shown in Photo 5.2, and a grid cross‐section is shown in Figure
5.6.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Photo 5.2 Concrete Grid Pavement Installation
Figure 5.6 Concrete Grid Cross Section
Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) consists of impervious concrete blocks placed
to allow a minimum of 5% of open surface area. A PICP installation for parking adjacent to a
street is shown in Photo 5.3, and a paver cross‐section is shown in Figure 5.7.
Photo 5.3 PICP Installation
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 5.7 PICP Cross‐Section
Pervious concrete allows water to infiltrate because it does not contain fine aggregate. A
pervious concrete installation is shown in Photo 5.4, and a concrete cross‐section is shown in
Figure 5.8.
Photo 5.4 Pervious Concrete Installation
Figure 5.8 Pervious Concrete Cross‐Section
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Specifications for other types of pervious pavement installations may be approved by the
Floodplain Administrator.
5.9.1. General Standards for Pervious Pavements
Pervious pavements are useful for low speed vehicular use areas, such as parking lots, as well as
sidewalks and other pedestrian use areas. To date, most pervious pavements are not suitable
for higher speed moving live loads such as travel on roadways.
The following standards apply to pervious pavements:
1. Pervious pavements shall be protected from materials that can clog interstices, such as
oil, grease and sediment during construction and during the life of the project.
2. A geotechnical report by a registered Arizona civil engineer shall specify appropriate
setbacks from structures and foundations, bedding materials and other structural site
elements and affirm that the soil under the pervious pavement is suitable for infiltration.
3. The primary components of a pervious pavement system shall include a permeable paving
surface, a reservoir material, such as crushed rock, and a filter material. A leveling course
is required for concrete grid and PICP systems.
4. The leveling course shall consist of AASHTO #8 aggregate or approved equal.
5. Aggregate that forms the reservoir layer shall be uniformly graded and shall conform to
the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
material size standard #67 or #57, or other size standard which may be approved by the
Floodplain Administrator. AASHTO #57 or #67 materials can be assumed to have a
reservoir porosity of 0.4. The reservoir volume should be considered for design pavement
drainage areas, but the volume shall not be counted toward detention or retention
requirements because imperfect maintenance can result in blockage of infiltration.
6. Filter materials remove pollutants and are required for pervious pavement systems. A
granular filter without a geotextile is required, unless an alternate design is approved by
the Floodplain Administrator. A 6” thick filter layer consisting of materials conforming to
the gradation presented in Table 5.1 below shall be installed as the bottom layer of
pervious pavement systems.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Table 5.1 Pervious Pavement System Filter Material Gradation
Mass Percent Passing
Sieve Size
Square Mesh Sieves
19.0 mm (3/4") 100
4.75 mm (No. 4) 60 – 100
300 μm (No. 50) 10 – 30
150 μm (No. 100) 0 – 10
75 μm (No. 200) 0-3
5.9. Practices That Increase The Time Of Concentration
Peak discharge rates may be reduced through the use of site design which allows for
increased infiltration. This can be accomplished by increasing the length of the flow
path, by flattening slopes, and by roughening the surface. When these practices are
proposed, the following standards apply:
5.9.1. Lengthened Flow Path Standards
Lengthened flow paths shall occur in swales or channels which meet the following
criteria. A channel or swale qualifies as a conveyance designed to lengthen flow path
when it provides a longer flow path than the shortest, most linear, most direct route
between upper and lower portions of a site watershed.
1. Swales and channels shall meet current channel design standards, including
freeboard.
2. When 100‐year flow velocities are 3 feet per second or less, earthen swales are
allowed. Earthen swales may be allowed for higher 100‐year velocities when a
project site soils sieve analysis prepared by a geotechnical engineer registered in the
State of Arizona is submitted, along with acceptable engineering justification of a
higher value based on acceptable methods such as those provided in the Federal
Highway Administration’s Highways in the River Environment or those adopted by
the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
3. When 100‐year flow velocities are greater than 3 feet per second, swales shall be
rock lined unless an engineering analysis justifies that no erosion protection is
necessary.
4. Swales may be lined with angular rock with a D50 of at least 4 inches to roughen the
flow path.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
6. MULTIPLE‐USE CONCEPTS
Use of a detention basin for multiple purposes is practical and feasible in many locations.
Acceptable uses are human activity, such as passive and active recreation, and landscape
bufferyard. The following requirements apply when a detention basin provides for uses
other than detention.
6.1. Basins Designed With Human Activity Zones
6.1.1. General Requirements
1. Any electrical equipment, excluding submersible pumps, within the basin shall be
elevated 1 foot above the 100‐year water surface elevation of the basin, unless an
electrical engineer registered in the State of Arizona certifies that the electrical
equipment does not pose any hazard to public health or safety when inundated;
a. Construction permits must show the location of electrical equipment, the design
elevation and the 100‐year water surface elevation, and;
b. An engineer registered in the State of Arizona must certify that all electrical
installations meet all standards for placement in or near ponded water.
2. When concentrated drainage crosses a pedestrian access, scuppers or other cross
drainage structures shall be provided. The cross drainage capacity shall be the 10‐
year peak discharge at the crossing.
3. A basin designed with human activity zones shall contain a minimum of one
pedestrian access slope of 8:1 or flatter and a maximum of 100 feet either to the
base of an access slope or to a 4:1 or flatter basin side slope.
4. All facilities and furnishings placed below the elevation of the 100‐year water
surface shall be waterproof and not floatable.
6.1.2. Prohibitions
1. 100‐year water depths greater than 3 feet are prohibited.
2. Electrical equipment without certified waterproofing below the 100‐year water
depth is prohibited.
3. Hardscape, seating and tables, sports equipment and any other materials which float
or are not waterproof are prohibited.
4. Obstruction of inlets or outlets is prohibited.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
6.2. Basins Containing Landscape Bufferyards
6.2.1. General Requirements
1. When landscape bufferyards are required by the Pima County Zoning Code, Chapter
18.72, and detention within a landscape bufferyard is proposed, an engineering
analysis of the detention requirements met by the bufferyard is required as part of
the project drainage report.
2. The drainage report must demonstrate that the multiple‐uses of the bufferyard for
both landscaping and detention are compatible.
3. The project landscape plan must be submitted to the Floodplain Administrator for
review prior to final approval of the development plan or plat.
4. The Floodplain Administrator will review for requirements of the applicable
floodplain ordinances and policies. Landscape requirements shall be reviewed by
the Development Services Department.
5. All applicable requirements of Chapter 4, Detention Basin Design Standards, and
Chapter 5, LID Practices Design Standards, shall be met.
6.2.2. Landscape Bufferyard General Prohibitions
1. Landscaping shall not obstruct flow conveyance, inlets or outlets.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
7. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
7.1 Inspection and Maintenance General Requirements
1. Inspection and maintenance are required for all basins. An inspection and
maintenance protocol including frequency of inspection, a checklist of items to be
inspected and recommended maintenance when an inspection identifies a
maintenance requirement shall be prepared by an Arizona registrant. The protocol
may be included in the project Drainage Report or prepared as a separate
document. The protocol shall be reviewed and approved by the Floodplain
Administrator prior to approval of the tentative plat or development plan. The
protocol shall be delivered to the entity responsible for inspection and maintenance.
An example of a detention basin inspection and maintenance checklist is provided in
Appendix I.
2. Upon completion of construction of all basins, an As‐built Certification shall be
prepared by an Arizona registrant and submitted to the Floodplain Administrator
and entity responsible for basin maintenance. The plan associated with the As‐built
Certification shall be used by the responsible party when performing periodic
inspections and when restoring the basin to design specifications, if required. The
Floodplain Administrator may utilize the certification during enforcement actions.
3. The periodic maintenance described in this chapter does not require a Floodplain
Use Permit.
4. Periodic inspections shall occur a minimum of once per year. If significant storm
events occur between annual inspections, additional inspections are required
following each of the significant events.
5. Inspections shall include examination of the design components described in
Chapters 4 and 5 which are incorporated in the project site being inspected. During
an inspection the following conditions shall be checked for proper functioning and
compared to design specifications. If function impairment or deviation from design
specifications is observed, maintenance shall be performed as described below or as
directed by the inspector.
7.2 Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for All Basins
7.2.1 Basin Location and Collection
1. Basins shall be maintained to perform as designed for the life of the project. Flow paths
and structures delivering flow to basins shall not be altered. Obstruction of flow paths
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
or structures or alteration of design location or flow direction shall be remedied, and
the basin functioning shall be restored to design specifications.
2. Conveyances to the basins shall be maintained free of leaves, debris, or other
obstructions.
3. Inlet and outlet locations shall be maintained free of obstructions.
7.2.2 Basin Depth and Freeboard
1. The depth of the basin shall be inspected to ensure the design volume, depth and
freeboard are maintained.
2. For Detention Basins, the design depth shall be restored when the depth of sediment
exceeds 6” above the lowest bottom floor elevation shown on the basin as‐built plans.
For Stormwater Harvesting Basins, the design depth shall be restored when the depth of
the design depth of the basin is reduced by more than 1 inch.
3. Slopes shall be maintained to the original design configuration.
4. Trash and debris which reduces volume and freeboard shall be removed.
7.2.3 Basin Storage Time
1. Basin bottoms shall be inspected for evidence of ponding lasting longer than the limits
in Section 4.5.1 for Detention Basins and longer than 24 hours for Stormwater
Harvesting Basins.
2. If an inspection identifies evidence of ponding exceeding these limits, the following
maintenance shall be performed:
a. Areas of ponding shall be graded to drain to the outlet for basins with no
retention,
b. Compacted soil shall be scarified to promote infiltration,
c. Basin outlets shall be maintained to function as designed, and
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
d. Obstructions at the outlet shall be removed.
e. Additional design remedies may be required, if problems persist.
7.2.4 Basin Floor
1. The basin floor shall be inspected to ensure that the design slope is maintained, that
infiltration has not been significantly reduced and that vegetation or other obstructions
do not alter slope, infiltration or basin volume.
2. Maintenance shall be performed when accumulated sediment and debris alter the
design slope to the basin outlet or infiltration potential.
3. Invasive non‐native plants shall be removed. A list of invasive non‐native plants can be
found in Appendix E of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation
Standards and Implementation Requirements available through the Resources Page of
the District’s web page.
4. Soil with evidence of oil, grease or other chemicals shall be removed and disposed of
properly.
5. Debris and trash shall be removed.
7.2.5 Basin Side Slope
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure that slope treatment has not been damaged by
settling, vegetation, erosion, or other causes.
2. Should damage be observed, basin side slopes shall be restored to design specifications.
3. When slope treatment is dumped riprap, the treatment shall be repaired when
foundation soil is lost or filter fabric is exposed.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4. Filter fabric that has migrated under a dumped rock riprap layer or has tears or holes
shall be restored to design specifications.
5. Grouted riprap side slopes shall be restored to design specifications when foundation
soil is lost or grout beds become damaged.
6. Retaining walls shall be restored to design specifications when signs of tipping, clogged
weep holes or soil subsidence are observed.
7.2.6 Basin Inlet Structure
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure the inlet is free of obstructions and not damaged.
2. Should obstructions or damage be observed, inlets shall be restored to design
specifications.
7.2.7 Basin Outlet Structure
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure the outlet and all components are free of obstructions
and not damaged.
2. Should obstructions or damage be observed, outlets shall be restored to design
specifications.
7.2.8 Basin Maintenance Access
1. Inspections shall be conducted to ensure access to the basin is not compromised.
2. Conditions which compromise the design access shall be repaired.
7.2.9 Basin Landscaping
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure that landscaping has not impacted basin function.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
2. If damage is observed, the basin shall be restored to design specifications.
3. Invasive non‐native plants shall be removed. A list of the invasive non‐native plants can
be found in Appendix E of the Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation
Standards and Implementation Requirements available through the Resources Page of
the District’s web page.
4. Any vegetation or debris within the 20‐foot radius described in Section 4.17.1 shall be
removed.
7.3 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Detention Basins
7.3.1 Detention Basin Embankment
1. Inspections shall be conducted to ensure the embankment is not damaged due to
erosion, piping, sliding, settling or other causes.
2. If damage to an embankment is observed, the embankment shall be restored to design
specifications.
7.3.2 Detention Basin Security Barrier
1. Inspections shall be conducted to ensure the security barrier and surrounding grade are
not damaged to the extent that the security of the basin is compromised.
2. If compromising damage is observed, the security barrier shall be restored to design
specifications.
7.3.3 Detention Basin Perimeter Wall
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure the perimeter wall and/or erosion at wall openings are
not adversely impacting the basin.
2. If adverse impacts are identified, the basin and/or wall shall be restored to the design
specifications.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
7.3.4 Detention Basin Underground Storage System
1. Inspections shall occur to ensure the underground storage system is not damaged and is
functioning as designed.
2. When an inspection reveals any of the following, the underground storage system shall
be restored to design specifications:
a. Seepage, settlement, cracking, signs of improper joint alignment or displacement
of joints,
b. Sediment accumulation, and
c. Damage to or malfunction of pumps, valves, sumps, piping, manifolds or
appurtenances.
7.3.5 Detention Basin Equipment Elevation
1. Electrical equipment shall be inspected to ensure that it is elevated a minimum of 1 foot
above the 100‐year water surface elevation.
2. Foundations shall be inspected for stability and material damage.
3. Conditions which compromise the design height of the equipment shall be repaired.
7.3.6 Detention Basin Pump
1. Inspections shall be conducted after alarm system activation as well as annually and
after significant storm events to ensure the pump is not damaged and is functioning as
designed.
2. Prior to the summer and winter rainy seasons, the pump, back‐up system and alarm
system shall be operated to ensure the system is functioning as designed.
3. If damage/malfunction is observed, the system shall be restored to design
specifications.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
4. Trash and debris shall be removed from the pump system and properly disposed.
7.3.7 Detention Basin Dry Well(s)
1. Inspections shall be conducted to ensure the dry well(s) and settling chamber(s) are
functioning as designed.
2. If an inspection identifies that a dry well is not infiltrating within the storage limits
outlined in Section 4.5.1, or other damage or maintenance requirements are identified,
maintenance shall be performed to restore the drywell to design specifications.
3. Accumulated debris, weeds and trash shall be removed from the surface.
4. Sediment shall be removed from the settling chamber when approximately 15 to 20% of
the original volume of the chamber is filled.
5. All sediment removed from a settling chamber shall be disposed of at an authorized
sanitary landfill.
7.4 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Bioretention Basins
1. All other applicable Stormwater Harvesting Basin inspection and maintenance
requirements in this chapter shall be met.
2. Access to the vertical inspection pipe shall be maintained.
3. An inspection of the vertical inspection pipe shall occur to ensure infiltration is
occurring. If standing water is observed in the inspection pipe, replacement of the
medium or other method of retention is required.
4. Sediment shall be removed from the sediment trap.
5. The surface depression shall be inspected to ensure that the design depth is maintained.
If reduced depression depth is observed, the design depth shall be restored.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
7.5 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Detention Basins with
Retention
1. Retention areas shall be inspected to ensure the retention area is performing as
designed. If ponding lasting longer than 24 hours is observed, the soil in the basin
bottom shall be loosened to promote infiltration.
2. The retention area floor shall be maintained free of vegetation, debris and other
obstructions.
3. The depth of the retention area shall be inspected to ensure the design volume is
maintained. Sediment and other deposits shall be removed when the design depth of
the retention area has been reduced by more than 1 inch.
4. Slopes shall be maintained to the original design configuration.
5. Soil with evidence of oil, grease or other chemicals shall be removed and disposed of
properly and the basin returned to the original design specifications.
7.6 Additional Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Multi‐Use Basins
1. All other applicable inspection and maintenance requirements for Detention Basins in
this chapter shall be met.
2. All equipment, hardscape, furnishings, and electrical equipment shall be maintained to
the original design standards.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
8. COVENANTS
8.1. General Requirements
1. Covenants will be required when any of the following stormwater practices are
proposed:
a. LID Practices, as described in Section 1.5
b. Embankments,
c. Underground Storage,
d. Pumps, and
e. Dry wells.
Appendix J contains example covenants and exhibits for commercial projects. For
residential subdivisions, covenants shall be recorded with the applicable Conditions,
Covenants and Restrictions.
2. Covenants shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 16.38 of the Floodplain
and Erosion Hazard Management Ordinance.
3. For corporate covenants, the signer shall provide sufficient documentation to
demonstrate authorization to sign for the corporation. Sufficient documents
include:
a. Articles of Incorporation,
b. A corporate resolution demonstrating the individual’s authority to represent the
corporation, or
c. A notarized letter on corporate letterhead that indicates that the person is
allowed to represent the corporation.
4. The covenants must specify inspection and maintenance responsibilities of the
property owners. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s) to perform
maintenance as necessary to ensure the integrity of the stormwater detention and
retention facilities.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
9. DETENTION WAIVER REQUEST AND PAYMENT OF IN‐LIEU FEE
Collection of a fee in lieu of a detention system may be allowed when certain structural
flood control measures are provided or it can be demonstrated that detention at the
site does not provide offsite flood relief due to parcel size, location within the drainage
basin, or other factors.
9.1. Waiver Request Requirements
1. At least one of the following shall be demonstrated when a detention waiver is
requested:
a. Structural flood control measures are proposed in place of detention systems.
b. The project site is one acre or less.
c. The project is located adjacent to a major watercourse. For the purpose of this
manual a major watercourse has a 100‐year peak discharge of 10,000 cfs or
greater. Approval to classify another watercourse as a major watercourse may
be granted by the Floodplain Administrator if engineering justification
demonstrates adequate downstream capacity within the watercourse to convey
the 100‐year flood peak to a logical downstream conclusion under conditions of
ultimate watershed urbanization.
d. The project is located on a secondary tributary of a primary tributary, draining a
watershed of no more than 10 square miles, of a major watercourse and the
relationship between the travel time of the discharge from the project and the
rise times of the hydrographs of the project flows and the primary tributary
satisfy Equation 9.1; it can be demonstrated that the natural watercourses and
drainage infrastructure within the secondary tributary watershed have adequate
capacity to convey the future 100‐year flood peak emanating from the
watershed under conditions of ultimate watershed urbanization; and it can be
demonstrated that the primary tributary peak discharge is not affected by the
future 100‐year flood peak from the secondary tributary or, if it is affected, the
primary tributary and all drainage infrastructure downstream of the confluence
of the secondary and primary tributaries have adequate capacity to convey the
future 100‐year flood peak under conditions of ultimate watershed urbanization.
e. The development has a density that is less than 2 units to the acre and preserves
natural drainage patterns. The development shall not rely on constructed
drainage facilities, such as constructed channels and storm drains to convey
stormwater runoff.
f. The project site is eligible for a waiver due to other engineering justification
acceptable to the Floodplain Administrator.
2. Demonstration of the criteria in this section does not guarantee approval of a
detention waiver request.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
9.1.1. Tributary Location
1. If the project site is located on a secondary tributary of the major watercourse (e. g.,
Channel 2 of Figure 8.1) then it must be demonstrated that the secondary tributary
and all drainage infrastructure within the sub‐watershed have adequate capacity to
convey the future 100‐year flood peak emanating, under conditions of ultimate
urbanization, from that portion of the sub‐watershed which contains not only the
proposed development, but also all areas upstream of the development. For
instance, segment BC of Channel 2 in Figure 8.1 and any associated drainage
infrastructure must have adequate capacity to convey the 100‐year flood peak
emanating from the areas draining into Channel 2 upstream of Point C, based upon
conditions of ultimate watershed urbanization. In this example, if Equation 8.1 is
met, it would not be required to demonstrate that segment AB of Channel 1 and
associated drainage infrastructure have adequate capacity, since flood peaks would
not be increased on this primary tributary as a result of the proposed development.
2. Peak discharges and times of concentration used in this analysis shall be calculated
by the Pima County Hydrology method, or other method specified by the Floodplain
Administrator. Hydrograph rise times shall be calculated by the methods presented
in Appendix K.
Where
= 100‐year flow travel time between the downstream point of the project
site and the confluence with a major watercourse, as defined in Section 8.1, paragraph
1.c. T shall be calculated by the incremental time of concentration illustrated in
Example 8.1 below.
= Rise time of the 100‐year synthetic flood hydrograph for on‐site
drainage emanating from the project site under developed conditions
= Rise time of the 100‐year synthetic flood hydrograph at its
confluence with the major watercourse for drainage emanating from the entire
watershed. shall be determined using the assumption that the entire water shed is
needs changing to Tsubr fully developed with no stormwater detention facilities.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Figure 9.1. Sample Watershed for Example 9.1
(Stormwater Detention/Retention Manual, Pima County Department of
Transportation and Flood Control District, City of Tucson)
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Example 9.1
A 60‐acre parcel proposed for high‐density urban development, is located in the
extreme lower portion of a 4033‐acre sub‐watershed of the Rillito Creek. The
watershed locations are illustrated in Figure 8.1
The purpose of the example is to illustrate the method for determining if it can be
demonstrated that the project is eligible for a detention waiver under the requirements
of Section 8.1, paragraph 1.d.
Times of concentration, determined by PC‐Hydro, for points along the channels of
interest are:
Channel 1, Point A tc = 61 minutes
Channel 1, Point B tc = 57 minutes
Channel 2, Point B tc = 25 minutes
Channel 2, Point C tc = 17 minutes
The travel time through the reach of Channel 1 between Points A and B,
TAB = 61 minutes – 57 minutes = 4 minutes
The travel time through the reach of Channel 1 between Points B and C,
TBC = 25 minutes – 17 minutes = 8 minutes
The total travel time T = TAB + TBC = 4 minutes + 8 minutes = 12 minutes
Incremental travel times are calculated for each channel segment located between the
major watercourse and the project site. The total travel time, T, is the sum of the
incremental travel times.
Determine Tr’:
The time of concentration for the on‐site developed conditions runoff from the 60‐acre
parcel is obtained from PC‐Hydro and is 6 minutes. The rise time, Tr’, obtained from the
table in Appendix K is 14 minutes.
Determine Tr’’:
For Channel 1, Point A, the time of concentration is 61 minutes. Tr’’ = 53 minutes is
calculated by Equation K.1 in Appendix K.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
From these values, Equation 9.1 is evaluated:
The value of the solution is 0.49 which is greater than the limiting value of 0.40;
therefore it has not been demonstrated that the location of the project site relative to
the primary tributary meets the criterion for a waiver stated in Section 9.1, 1.d.
Furthermore, even if the solution is less than the limiting value, downstream channel
and drainage infrastructure adequate capacity must also be demonstrated.
9.2. Waiver Application Requirements
For requirements, contact the Floodplain Administrator.
9.2.1. Waiver Request Response and Approval
1. The Floodplain Administrator will provide a response letter to the Applicant within
10 working days following the waiver request submittal.
2. If the request is approved, a fee calculation sheet with the required fee will be
provided with the response letter.
3. If the request is approved, the applicant shall provide an electronic copy of the
approved application and all attachments specified by applicable policies prior to
approval of the development plan or plat.
4. A copy of the response letter granting approval of the waiver request shall be
provided in the Drainage Report.
5. The fee shall be paid, according to the instructions in the response letter, prior to
final approval of the development Plan or plat.
6. If the waiver request is denied for incompleteness, the Applicant shall provide
additional information as requested in the response letter and re‐submit the waiver
request for an additional review.
7. If the waiver request is denied because the project does not meet any of the criteria
found in Section 8.1.1, detention must be provided.
8. Approval of a detention waiver request does not impact the requirement for first‐
flush retention.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
10. DRAINAGE REPORT CONTENT
The Drainage Report shall contain a separate section entitled Stormwater Detention and
Retention. This section shall contain sufficient analyses and information to demonstrate
that the applicable requirements of this manual will be met for the project.
10.1. Content for an Approved Detention Waiver
1. If a waiver has been approved by the Floodplain Administrator, the Stormwater
Detention Section shall contain the following:
a. A short discussion of the justification for the waiver.
b. Copy of the Detention Waiver approval letter.
10.2. Content for LID Practices
1. Provide a description of stormwater harvesting basins used and the analysis that
meets the first‐flush retention requirement using the methodology found in Section
2.2.
2. Provide a discussion of use of additional LID practices, including:
a. Minimized disturbed and impervious surfaces,
b. Protection/enhancement of riparian habitat and regulatory floodplains and other
high permeability areas, such as natural areas ,
c. Disconnected impervious surfaces,
d. Lengthened flow paths.
e. Use of conveyance systems which mimic natural conditions, and
f. Decentralization of detention basins
3. When stormwater harvesting basins are proposed, provide the analysis for the peak
discharge rate reduction for each return period using the methodology presented in
Section 3.3.
4. Provide a stormwater harvesting basin summary table which uses the same basin
labels as shown on the proposed conditions drainage exhibit and the project plan
with the following:
a. Total stormwater harvesting basin retention volume, cubic feet or acre feet,
b. First‐flush Retention volume, cubic feet or acre feet, if applicable
c. Bottom elevation, feet,
d. Invert elevations for inlet and overflow, feet, if applicable,
e. Dimensions of inlets and overflow, feet, if applicable,
f. The contributing area to each basin or group of basins, square feet or acres
g. The reduced peak discharge rates for 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year return periods, cubic
feet per second, attributable to stormwater harvesting.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
h. The pre‐developed peak discharge rates, cubic feet per second, and indication if
additional detention is required.
5. Provide a cross‐section of each stormwater harvesting basin showing and labeling
the following information, as applicable. Examples can be found in Chapter 5 of
each different type of basin:
a. Side slope with surface treatment and the horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio indicated,
b. 100‐year water surface elevation, feet,
c. If applicable, inlet and overflow structures with dimensions, feet, material type
and elevations, feet, specified, and
d. Inlet and overflow protection, toe down, rock riprap (length, feet, thickness, feet
or relative rock diameter, treatment, rock size, inches).
6. Provide a cross‐section of each bioretention basin, showing and labeling material
layers and surface depression, inches, and side slopes.
7. On the Proposed Conditions Drainage Exhibit, show the location of all LID practices.
10.3. Content for Detention Basins
1. A brief summary of the applicable detention requirements relevant to the
development including a statement about the project’s location within a Balanced or
Critical Basin.
2. A description of the detention proposed to achieve the required post‐development
peak discharge or runoff volume reduction for the project.
3. Stage‐storage‐discharge table.
4. A description of inlet and outlet structures, with supporting design calculations,
including:
a. Hydraulic calculations for all inlet and outlet structures
b. Calculations for erosion protection dimensions and rock sizing, and
c. Calculations demonstrating that flows exiting the project boundary approximate
flow characteristics of pre‐developed conditions.
5. The analysis of the storage‐indication method to determine amount of peak
discharge rate reduction by a basin along with supporting documentation shall be
provided. The following storage‐indication methods can be used to determine the
reduction peak discharge rate:
a. The PC‐Route.xls spreadsheet with supporting documentation, including:
1. Worksheets from the RFCD Basin Routing spreadsheet.
b. HEC‐HMS Version 3.3, or higher with supporting documentation, including:
1. HEC‐HMS model summary output, and
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
2. a CD of the modeling.
6. A basin summary table with the following basin design parameters:
a. Detention Volume, (cubic feet or acre feet
b. Retention depth, inches, and volume, cubic feet, (if applicable)
c. Top and bottom elevations, feet,
d. 100‐year water surface elevations, feet,
e. Invert elevations for inlets and outlets, (feet,
f. Dimensions of inlets and outlets, feet,
g. 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year inflows, cubic feet per second
h. 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year outflows, cubic feet per second
7. A cross‐section of the basin showing and labeling the following information as
applicable:
a. Bottom slope (0.5% minimum unless retention is provided)
b. Side slope with surface treatment and the horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio
indicated,
c. 100‐year water surface elevation, feet,
d. Inlet and outlet structures with dimensions, feet, material type and
elevations, feet, specified,
e. Outlet protection, toe down, rock riprap (length, feet, thickness, feet or
relative rock diameter, treatment, rock size, inches), and
f. Security barrier, if applicable.
8. Cross‐sections perpendicular and parallel to the basin inlet and outlet structures.
9. When a basin is located to accept flows from predominantly natural areas,
supporting calculations for sediment basin design shall be provided by an engineer
registered in the State of Arizona.
10. When a basin is proposed less than 15 feet away from a structure, the
recommended minimum separation between a basin and a structure shall be
provided by a geotechnical engineer registered in the State of Arizona.
11. When an embankment is proposed, the following shall be provided:
a. Justification for the use of the embankment(s),
b. For embankments designed to impound greater than 1 foot of water, the
calculations for the emergency spillway design capacity as outlined in Section
4.10.1.9.,
c. Engineering analysis for erosion protection if the embankment is located
within an erosion hazard setback or regulatory sheet flood area, and
d. A copy of the covenant to be recorded. The covenant shall be provided to the
Floodplain Administrator prior to approval of the project for recording by the
jurisdiction.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
12. When an underground storage system is proposed the following shall be provided:
a. A storage volume analysis documenting 1.5 times the design volume of an
above ground basin,
b. The drainage path to deliver flows in a reasonable and safe manner in the
event the system cannot accept flow,
c. A copy of the covenant to be recorded The covenant shall be provided to the
Floodplain Administrator prior to approval of the project for recording by the
jurisdiction., and
d. A copy of the report specified in Section 4.13.1.7.
13. When a pump is proposed, the following shall be provided:
a. The Floodplain Administrator’s written acceptance to use the pump,
b. Analysis demonstrating that the pump can accommodate the entire volume
of the 100‐year post‐developed hydrograph emanating from the contributing
drainage area or a statement indicating that a back‐up pump with an
emergency power source will be utilized,
c. Demonstration that the pump’s discharge rate does not exceed the pre‐
developed conditions 2‐year peak discharge rate,
d. Trash rack/screen design calculations using a 2.0 clogging factor,
e. Emergency back‐up plan,
f. Drainage exhibit showing drainage flow under clogged conditions,
g. Maintenance protocol with, at minimum, the following:
i. Maintenance schedule,
ii. Type of maintenance activities, and
iii. Exhibit showing the location of the pump, alarm systems and other
equipment,
h. A copy of the covenant to be recorded. The covenant shall be provided to
the Floodplain Administrator prior to approval of the project for recording by
the jurisdiction., and A copy of the pump system analysis as outlined in
Section 4.18.1.16.
10.4. Content For Dry Wells
1. When a dry well is used as a method of disposal, the following shall be provided:
a. Justification for the use of a dry well,
b. The Floodplain Administrator’s written approval/acceptance of the dry well,
c. A copy of the percolation test that determines the stabilized infiltration rate,
d. Dry well system design by a licensed professional,
e. Calculations and supporting documentation for the dry well disposal rate,
f. Dry well specifications and cross‐section of a typical well,
g. Depth to groundwater information,
h. Documentation that the disposal rate meets the storage time standards
found in Section 4.5,
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
i. A plan for stormwater disposal in the event the dry well(s) cease(s) to
function,
j. Maintenance protocol with at minimum the following:
i. Maintenance schedule,
ii. Type of maintenance activities,
iii. Exhibit showing the location(s) of the dry well(s), and
iv. Contact information of the driller or authorized maintenance
professional, and
v. A copy of the covenant to be recorded. The covenant shall be
provided to the Floodplain Administrator prior to approval of the
project for recording by the jurisdiction
10.5. . Required Summary Table For All Projects
1. A table of the 2‐, 10‐ and 100‐year peak discharges for pre‐developed, post‐
developed without detention and post‐developed with detention at all
concentration points where flows exit the project site shall be provided in the main
body of the report.
a. The table shall demonstrate that the post‐developed with detention peak
discharges do not exceed the pre‐developed peak discharges or are reduced,
as required.
b. If developed conditions watersheds have a different configuration than pre‐
developed conditions watersheds, the table shall correlate the developed
concentration points with the pre‐developed concentration points. The
location of post‐developed concentration points at the downstream property
boundary must approximate the location of the pre‐developed concentration
points at the downstream property boundary.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
11. REQUIREMENTS FOR PLATS, DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND CONSTRUCTION
PLANS.
The following information shall be placed on or submitted with plats and development
plans.
11.1. Required Content for Tentative Plats and Development Plans
11.1.1. Detention Waiver
1. If a Detention Waiver has been granted for the project, provide a General Note:
“A waiver of detention requirements has been granted for this
project by the Floodplain Administrator. The owner has paid a
fee in lieu of providing stormwater detention facilities.”
11.1.2. General Notes and Permitting Notes
1. If Detention and/or Retention is provided, provide the following General Note, with
the relevant volumes.
“This project is required to provide stormwater detention and/or retention. The
total volume of detention provided is _____________ cubic feet. The total
volume of retention provided is ____________ cubic feet.
2. When a project includes LID practices, embankments, an underground storage
system, pumps or a dry well, provide the following General Note:
“This project includes _________________ [LID practices, embankments,
underground storage system, pumps or drywell(s)]. An Inspection and Maintenance
Protocol has been provided to the Homeowner’s or Property Owner’s Association. An
Inspection and Maintenance Covenant has been recorded in the Public Records of
Pima County.”
3. When a project has drainage and grading improvements that are required to
mitigate off‐site adverse impacts to the proposed development, an as‐built
certification or plan shall be prepared and submitted to the Floodplain
Administrator. The as‐built certification or plan requires approval prior to the
issuance of any building permits, except for model home permits and any permits
necessary to build drainage infrastructure.
Provide the following Permitting Note for development plans and General Note for
tentative plats to disclose this requirement:
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
“Prior to Issuance of any building permits pursuant To Section
16.36.030.D. of The Floodplain Ordinance, an As‐Built Certification(Plan)
of the drainage and grading improvements that are required to mitigate
off‐site adverse impacts shall be prepared and submitted to the District.
Upon approval of the as‐built plan by the District, the hold to issuance of
building permits can be removed.”
11.1.3. Required Descriptions for Detention Basins and Stormwater Harvesting Basins
1. Provide a descriptor box adjacent to each basin. Include a leader arrow to the
basin or provide a label for the basin and reference the label on the top of the
descriptor box. Include the following applicable information in the descriptor
box:
a. Total volume, cubic or acre feet
b. Detention volume, cubic feet or acre feet
c. Retention volume, cubic feet, if applicable,
d. First‐flush retention volume, cubic feet, if applicable,
e. Q100 in, cubic feet per second, if applicable,
f. Q100 out, cubic feet per second, if applicable,
g. Basin top elevation, feet,
h. 100‐year water surface elevation, feet, and
i. 100‐year ponding depth, feet, (measured from the lowest elevation of the
basin).
2. For tentative plats, the basin(s) shall be shown within a Common Area, and the
plat shall indicate in the title block that the Common Area includes drainage.
3. Label each basin as a Private Detention or Stormwater Harvesting Basin.
4. Show conceptual grading for each basin and include the following information:
For detention and stormwater harvesting basins include:
a. Location of maintenance access.
b. Conceptual grade contours.
c. Side‐slope horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio with slope treatment. For drainage
infrastructure requiring a covenant, provide the Sequence Number adjacent
to the applicable structure and/or basin or a note indicating that the
covenant has been recorded in the Public Records of Pima County.
d. Location and dimensions of outlet or slope protection.
For detention basins also include:
e. Location of the sediment level device,
f. Security barriers, if applicable, with height (minimum of 42 inches high) and
material type indicated,
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
g. If no retention is proposed within the detention basin, positive drainage to
the outlet structure, minimum 0.5% slope, and
h. Location of inlet and outlet structures with inverts or other inlet and outlet
elevations. Call out dimensions and materials. Call out the Q100 for all
structures.
5. When a retaining wall is utilized as a basin side, a preliminary structural design
detail for the retaining wall must be provided. The preliminary design shall
include at a minimum the wall and footing dimensions. The intent is to
demonstrate that the foundation of the wall will not negatively impact property
setbacks or easements and to provide assurance that soil saturation has been
considered. The preliminary design detail may be marked preliminary and should
be attributed to the design engineer, if the design engineer is different from the
project engineer. Complete structural design and construction drawings will be
submitted as required by Development Services during the construction
permitting process.
6. When an underground storage system is proposed, show the following on the
tentative plat or development plan:
7. a. Location of the underground storage system,
b.Appropriate building setbacks from the underground storage system related to
structural integrity,
a.
Locations of inlets and outlets with Q100’s and location of emergency
overflows.8. When the project includes a pump(s), the following information
shall be included on the plan view:
i. Location of the service equipment, ii. Location of the sump with
dimensions shown,
iii. Q100 discharge, cubic feet per second.
i. 9. When the project includes a dry well(s), the The location of the
drywell(s).
ii. Slope to the dry well(s)
iii. Elevation of the dry well inlet(s)
8. When Non‐Contributing Basins or Bioretention Basins are proposed, the following
shall be shown:
a. The location of the basin(s) with dimensions, feet.
b. Location of sediment trap, if applicable for Bioretention Basins.
c. Type of basin label and labeled as private.
d. Retention volume, cubic feet.
11.1.4. Requirements for LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins
1. When LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins are proposed, the following
shall be shown:
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
a. The location and dimensions of swales and other constructable site features, with
proposed surface treatment called out.
2. It is optional to call out site planning techniques, such as reduced disturbance or
disconnected impervious surfaces.
11.2. Required Detention Basin and LID Practices Content For Final Plats
11.2.1. Detention Waiver
1. If a Detention Waiver has been granted for the project, provide a General Note:
“A waiver of detention requirements has been granted for this project by the
Regional Flood Control District. A fee is required in lieu of providing stormwater
detention facilities.”
11.2.2. General and Permitting Notes
1. If detention is provided, provide the following General Note, with the relevant volumes.
“This project is required to provide Stormwater Detention. The total volume of
detention provided is _____________ cubic feet.
2. For retention, provide the following General Note:
“This project includes retention. The total volume of retention provided is
_________ cubic feet. The volume of first‐flush retention volume is
______________ cubic feet.”
3. If applicable, provide the General Note:
“This project includes _________________ [LID practices, embankments,
underground storage system, pumps or dry well(s)]. An Inspection and
Maintenance Protocol has been provided to the Homeowner’s or Property
Owner’s Association. The inspection and maintenance requirements are
included in the Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions which have been
recorded in the Public Records Of Pima County.”
4. Provide the Permitting Note:
“Prior to the final Release of Assurances pursuant To Section 16.36.030.E.
of the Floodplain Ordinance, an as‐built certification of the drainage and
grading improvements that are required to mitigate off‐site adverse
impacts shall be prepared and submitted. Upon approval of the as‐built
certification, the hold to the Release of Assurances can be removed.”
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
11.2.3. Requirements for Detention Basins and Stormwater Harvesting Basins
1. Show the areas where basins are located as Common Area, and indicate in the title
block that the Common Area includes drainage features.
11.3. Required Detention Basin and LID Practices Content for Construction Plans
1. Show all basins and other LID practices on the plan view, calling out applicable
setbacks.
2. On detail sheets, show cross‐sections of basins, including detention basins,
stormwater harvesting basins, and bioretention basins, with the following
information as applicable:
a. For detention and stormwater harvesting basins include:
i. Dimensions of top and bottom areas, feet
ii. Top and bottom elevation, feet
iii. Freeboard elevation, feet,
iv. 100‐year water surface elevation, feet,
v. Side‐slope horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio with slope treatment,
vi. Setbacks from property boundaries or other suitable access area (4‐foot
minimum),
vii. Weir or other outlet structure elevation(s), feet
viii. Location and dimensions of outlet or slope protection.
ix. Dimensions, rock sizing, fabric filter placement, and/or cutoff walls for any
proposed erosion protection. The erosion protection shall be shown extended
below finished grade.
b. For detention basins only include:
i. Security barriers, if applicable, with material type and height, and
ii. For embankment conditions indicate the following:
iii. Freeboard elevation, feet, (1 foot minimum),
iv. 95% compaction, and
v. For embankments designed to impound more than 1 foot of water, the
following shall be included,
vi. Emergency spillway location, and
vii. Impervious treatment with toe down (minimum depth of 18 inches).
Typical cross‐sections are provided in Appendix B.
c. For bioretention basins include:
i. Depth and length, feet
ii. Depression depth, inches
iii. Base layer depth, inches, and material type
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
iv. Depth of soil medium, inches, and material type
v. Dimensions of sediment trap, if applicable.
3. On a detail sheet, show cross‐sections perpendicular and parallel to inlet and/or
outlet structures with the following information:
a. Dimensions, feet
b. Material type
c. Invert elevations, feet
d. 100‐year peak discharge, cubic feet per second
A typical detail is provided in Appendix B.
9. When an underground storage system is proposed, show the following, at a
minimum:
a. Location of the underground storage system,
b.Appropriate building setbacks from the underground storage system related to
structural integrity,
c. Locations of inlets and outlets with Q100’s and location of emergency
overflows.
d. Dimensions and material
c. Any recommended compaction or bedding material
10. When the project includes a pump(s), the following information shall be included
on the plan view:
a. Location of the service equipment,
b. Location of the sump with dimensions shown,
c. Q100 discharge, cubic feet per second.
d. Manufacturer’s specifications,
e. Elevations of pump components.
11. When the project includes a dry well(s), the location of the drywell(s).
a. Slope to the dry well(s)
b. Elevation of the dry well inlet(s)
c. A detail showing the typical dry well installation,
d. A detail showing the words “Stormwater Only” stamped in raised letters on
the drywell grate, and
12. When Non‐Contributing Basins or Bioretention Basins are proposed, the
following shall be shown:
a. The location of the basin(s) with dimensions, feet.
b. Location of sediment trap, if applicable for Bioretention basins.
c. Type of basin label and labeled as private.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
d. Retention volume , cubic feet.
11.3.1. Requirements for LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins
1. When LID Practices other than Stormwater Harvesting Basins are proposed, the following
shall be shown:
a. The location and dimensions of swales and other constructable site features, with
proposed surface treatment called out.
2. It is optional to call out site planning techniques, such as reduced disturbance or
disconnected impervious surfaces.
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Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
12. REQUIRED CONTENT FOR AS‐BUILT CERTIFICATION AND PLANS
12.1. General Requirements
1. Drainage and grading improvements required by the Floodplain Administrator shall
be inspected by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Arizona. The
Engineer shall certify that the improvements were built in substantial conformance
with the approved plans.
2. An as‐built plan shall be submitted for review and approval along with the
certification document. The as‐built plan may be the original plan sheets with
exceptions noted on the plan or new plan sheets. The submitted plan sheets shall
be stamped or labeled As‐Built and signed and sealed by the certifying Engineer.
12.1.1. Detention Basins
1. The following, at minimum, shall be certified;
a. Dimensions at top of slope and at bottom of slope, feet
b. Top and bottom elevation, feet
c. Freeboard elevation, feet
d. Side‐slope horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio
e. Inlet and outlet locations, dimensions and elevations, feet,
f. Setbacks from property boundaries, feet
g. Maintenance access
h. 0.5% slope along basin bottom for positive drainage to the outlet structure when
retention is not provided within the detention basin
i. Inlet and outlet structure elevation(s), feet
j. Erosion protection, including material and dimensions, feet,
k. Cut off wall elevations, feet, if applicable,
l. Slope treatment,
m. Sediment level device,
n. Security barriers, if applicable,
o. When the basin includes embankment conditions, the following;
i. Freeboard elevation, feet (1 foot minimum),
ii. Toe‐down dimensions, feet
iii. Embankments designed to impound more than 1 foot of water;
emergency spillway built per plans, and 95% compaction of the
embankment materials.
p. When the basin includes a retaining wall, the following:
i. Dimensions, feet,
ii.
94
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
q. For underground storage, the following;
i. Building setbacks, feet,
ii. Type of material
r. When the basin includes a pump;
i. Pump sump dimensions and location
ii. Pump specifications
s. When a project includes a dry well;
i. Drywell grate with the words “Stormwater Only,”
ii. Drywell specifications and location(s).
iii. Verification of ADEQ drywell registration.
12.2. Stormwater Harvesting Basins
1. The following at minimum, shall be certified;
a. Location as proposed,
b. Dimensions of top and bottom areas, (feet
c. Top and bottom elevation, feet
d. Side slope ratio
e. Setbacks, feet
f. Maintenance access
g. Slope treatment
2. When bioretention basins are used, the following shall be certified
a. Depth, inches or feet
b. Top dimensions, feet
c. Location of the sediment trap
d. Vertical inspection pipe
e. Material type
12.3. Other LID Practices
1. The following, at minimum, shall be certified;
a. Location of LID Practice(s),
b. If disconnection of impervious surfaces is being claimed as a LID practice,
construction as designed,
c. If lengthened flow paths are incorporated as a LID practice, site layout as
designed, dimensions of swale and surface treatment of swale.
95
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
13. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following terms are in addition to the terms defined by the floodplain management
ordinances of jurisdictions within incorporated and unincorporated Pima County.
Adverse Impact – A change in flow conditions as a result of a development that creates a
violation of an applicable floodplain ordinance, a safety issue or property damage.
Approval – Written notice by the District approving a submittal including Development
Plans; Plats; Drainage Reports; waivers; proposed pumps, drywells, or underground
stormwater storage; requests to provide designs, analyses or reporting which is different
from the requirements stated in this manual
Approved Plan – The most current development lan, plat or construction permit which
bears the authorized signature of approval.
Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) ‐ The state agency assigned with
oversight of flood control as provided in Title 48 Chapter 21 of the A.R.S.
Attenuation – The collective effect of peak discharge or volume reductions achieved by
routing flood waters through a detention basin or approved Low Impact Development
Practices.
Concentration Point – A hydrologic term which describes any specific point within a
watershed where surface drainage is to be analyzed.
Construction Permit ‐ An engineering document which shows the site layout for a
proposed project overlaid on a map of the site and the surrounding area. The plan shows
the proposed building locations and footprints, parking lot layout, access, drainage facilities,
construction details, site grading and utilities locations for conformance review with
applicable regulations.
Covenant – Written agreements that impose responsibilities on the land owners and
restrictions upon the use of land.
Dams – The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), Surface Water Division, has
legal jurisdiction over all dams which exceed certain height and storage limits.
Arizona State Statutes, article 45‐1201., defines a dam as any artificial barrier,
including appurtenant works for the impounding or diversion of water,
twenty‐five feet or more in height or the storage capacity of which will be
more than fifty acre‐feet but does not include:
Any barrier that is or will be less than six feet in height, regardless
of storage capacity.
96
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Any barrier that has or will have a storage capacity of fifteen
acre‐feet or less, regardless of height.
Any barrier for the purpose of controlling liquid‐borne material.
Any barrier that is a release‐contained barrier.
Any barrier that is owned, controlled, operated, maintained or
managed by the United States government or its agents or
instrumentalities if a safety program that is at least as stringent
as the state safety program applies and is enforced against the
agent or instrumentality.
Development Plan – An engineering document which shows the site layout for a proposed
project overlaid on a map of the site and the surrounding area. The plan shows the
proposed building locations and footprints, parking lot layout, access, drainage facilities and
utilities for conformance review with applicable regulations.
Disposal Time – The time period during which standing water must be eliminated from a
detention basin or Low Impact Development Practices.
Disturbance – The condition of land areas that have been damaged, demolished or
eliminated.
Drainage Report – A report that provides a description of existing and future site conditions
supporting hydraulic and hydrologic data, a delineation of the flood prone areas, and a
detailed description of the proposed manner in which drainage shall be handled.
Embankment – A linear, usually trapezoidal in cross‐section, compacted soil feature which
is constructed along one or more sides of a detention basin. The linear extent of the
embankment is constructed above the predominant finished grade. The embankment may
be constructed of in‐situ or imported soils. Incidental fills to restore predominant natural
grade or mass‐grading to establish project overall grades are not considered to be
embankments.
Emergency Spillway – An outflow spillway from a detention basin which is provided to
allow for the safe overflow of floodwaters.
Filter Fabric – Fabric, typically non‐woven, used for soil stabilization to prevent soil shifts
and movements in excavated areas.
Final Plat – A survey document suitable for recordation of all or part of a subdivision
conforming to an approved tentative plat.
97
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
First‐flush – The delivery of a highly concentrated pollutant loading during the early stages
of a storm due to the washing effect of runoff on pollutants that have accumulated on
drainage surfaces.
Flood Control – The control of flood waters by employing methods of containment such as
a detention system that stops and slows down the downstream progress of flood waters.
Freeboard – The distance measured from the top of an impoundment to the 100‐year water
surface elevation.
Finished Grade – Any ground elevation which has been cut to or built to the design
elevation.
Hard Durable Stones – Stones highly resistant to deterioration by natural processes.
HEC‐HMS – Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC‐HMS) designed to simulate the precipitation‐
runoff processes of dendritic drainage basins.
Human Activity Zones – Areas used within a basin for multiple purposes other than
detention where human recreational activities are involved.
Hydrograph – A graph showing changes over time in the stormwater runoff from a drainage
area.
Hydroseed – A mixture of seed, mulch and soil ameliorants applied by spraying or other
mechanical means.
Impervious – Not allowing entrance or passage by water.
Impervious Treatment – A process that renders a surface impervious to water.
Inflow – Runoff which flows into a stormwater storage facility from the upstream
watershed.
Inlet – Structural element that serves as the entrance of a detention basin where water is
directed into the basin.
Inspection – Examination of the conditions of drainage structures to ensure their proper
functioning.
Invasive Plants – Plants that invade ecosystems beyond their historical range. Dependent
on these ecosystems, invasive plants can threaten native ecosystems or commercial,
agricultural, or recreational activities dependent on these ecosystems costing the economy
billions of dollars on an annual basis.
98
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Landscape Buffer Yard – A strip of land used for landscaping to separate one type of land
use/zoning from another. Landscape bufferyard are a requirement of Pima County Zoning
Code, Chapter 18.72.
Length of Watercourse – The length of the flow path taken by water runoff from a surface.
Low Impact Development (LID) – Practices that utilize basic principles modeled after the
natural environment by managing runoff and urban water use at the source using small‐
scale controls uniformly distributed.
Maintenance – The upkeep of drainage structures to assure conformance with approved
design and storage volume over time.
Maintenance and Inspection Protocol – A document describing items to be inspected to
assure proper functioning of drainage structures over the life of a project and the
maintenance activities, if any, to be completed to resolve issues noted during an inspection.
Major Watercourse – For the purposes of this manual, a natural channel which conveys a
100‐year peak discharge of 10,000 cfs or more, or a watercourse which has been designated
as a major watercourse for an individual instance based on engineering justification
accepted by the Floodplain Administrator.
Multiple‐Use Concepts – Concepts employed in an engineered basin which that provide
benefits in addition to the primary function of flood control. Such benefits may include
recreation, water harvesting, or visual buffers.
PC‐Hydro – A semi‐empirical rainfall‐runoff model accepted in Pima County for predicting
flood peaks from ungaged watersheds under natural and developed hydrologic conditions.
Peak Discharge – The maximum flow rate, in terms of volume per time, passing a particular
location during a storm event.
Pima County – The incorporated, as well as the unincorporated areas of Pima County,
including public lands, but excluding Indian and military reservations and those
incorporated areas of cities or towns which have elected to assume separate floodplain
management powers and duties pursuant to Section 48‐3610 of the Arizona Revised
Statutes.
Pre‐Developed Conditions – Site conditions related to drainage prior to land development.
Primary Tributary – A channel which flows directly into a major watercourse.
Project Boundary – The boundary that sets the limits of the project site.
99
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Post‐Developed Conditions – Site conditions related to drainage after land development.
Positive Drainage – The drainage condition which provides for removal of stormwater from
a site within the required disposal time and prevention of ponding of water for periods
exceeding the required disposal time.
Outflow – The discharge which exits a stormwater storage facility by means of an outlet
structure.
Outlet – The point at which stormwater runoff flows out of an engineered basin. Outlets
may consist of culverts, weirs, orifices, or any combination thereof.
Rainwater – Liquid water that has precipitated from atmospheric water vapor but has not
yet landed on the earth’s surface or any protrusions on the earth’s surface.
Recorded – Placed into the public record by the Pima County Recorder.
Regional Detention Basin – A detention basin which collects stormwater runoff from a
relatively large area, and has been designed to use storage as a means of reducing
downstream flood peaks, reducing possible flood damage, or reducing downstream channel
construction costs. Regional facilities are usually multi‐purpose, and normally are the
responsibility of a public entity.
Riprap – A rock layer combination of large stone, cobbles and boulders that protects
earthen surfaces from erosion.
Routing – A mathematical procedure for predicting the changing magnitude, speed, and
shape of a flood wave as it travels through a detention basin.
Runoff – Stormwater flowing over a surface.
Secondary Tributary – A natural channel which discharges into a primary tributary.
Setback – The horizontal distance between an object of interest and perimeter of a basin or
property boundary or public access limit.
Sediment – An earthen material that is carried and deposited by water.
Site – Area where a project is located including improved areas, open space, floodplains and
other regulatory development areas.
Storage – Volumetric measurement of the water stored in the detention basin.
100
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Stormwater – Rainwater once it has landed on a surface.
Stormwater Harvesting – The process of intercepting stormwater from a surface such as a
roof, parking area, or land surface, and putting it to beneficial use.
Subdivision – Improved or unimproved land or lands divided or proposed to be divided for
the purpose of sale, lease, or for cemetery purposes, whether immediate or future, into six
or more lots, parcels or fractional interests.
Subsoil – The layer of soil under the topsoil on the surface of the ground.
Sustainability Principles – The development and construction principles that support a
sustainable future.
Swale – A ditch or depression that is cut into the soil.
Technical Policy (Policies) – Publications by the District which clarify the permitting
requirements of the Pima County Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management Ordinance.
Tentative Plat – A tentative plat is a map showing the existing conditions of the property
and surrounding area on which proposed development is overlaid, which can include
topography, infrastructure improvements, and existing structures. It is reviewed for
compliance with applicable regulations.
Time of Concentration – The time required for storm runoff to flow from the hydraulically
most remote point of a catchment or drainage area to the outlet or point under
consideration.
Watershed – The contributing drainage area located upstream of a specific point along a
watercourse.
Weir – A structure placed at the basin outlet to control the volume of outflow.
101
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
14. REFERENCES
American Society of Civil Engineers, 1998, Urban Runoff Quality Management, WEF
Manual of Practice No. 23/ASCE Manual of Practice No. 87, by Joint Task Force of the
Water Environment Federation and the American Society of Civil Engineers, Larry A.
Roesner and Ben R. Urbonas, chmn. (pages 175‐178 [approximately the 85th percentile 24‐
hour storm runoff event]).
Arizona State Revised Statutes, Title 45‐Waters, Chapter 6 Dams and Reservoirs, Article 1
Supervision of Dams, Reservoirs and Projects, Section 1201 Definitions.
California Stormwater Quality Association, Stormwater Best Management Practice
Handbook: Construction. Available at:
http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/Documents/Construction/SE‐4.pdf
City of Tucson, Standards Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain Management in
Tucson Arizona. December 1989, revised July 1998.
City of Tucson, Water Harvesting Guidance Manual. October 2005. Available at
http://dot.ci.tucson.az.us/stormwater/downloads/2006WaterHarvesting.pdf
Drainage and Channel Design Standards for Local Drainage for Floodplain Management
within Pima County, Arizona. June 1, 1984.
Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Engineer Circular No. 14; HEC‐14, Third Edition.
Hydraulic Design of Energy Dissipators for Culvert and Channel. July 2006.
Hydrologic Engineering Center ‐ Hydrologic Modeling System, HEC‐HMS, User’s Manual,
Version 2.1. January 2001.
PC‐Hydro V5, Pima County Hydrology Procedures. A Computer Program for Predicting
Peak Discharges of Surface Runoff from Small Semi‐Arid Watersheds in Pima County,
Arizona. PC‐Hydro User Guide. Arroyo Engineering, March 2007.
Pima County Title 16, Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management Ordinance. June 3,
2010.
Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation
Standards and Implementation Guidelines. October 2009. Available through the Rules and
Procedure’s Page of the Pima County Regional Flood Control District web page.
102
Design Standards for Stormwater Detention and Retention for Pima County
Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Technical Policy, TECH‐015, Acceptable
Methods for Determining Peak Discharges. October 1, 2007. Available through the Rules
and Procedures page of the Pima County Regional Flood Control District web page.
Pima County Subdivision and Development Street Standards. April 5, 2005.
Pima County/Tucson, City of Stormwater Detention/Retention Manual. February 1987.
Available through the Rules and Procedures page of the Pima County Regional
Flood Control District web page..
Pima County Zoning Code, Chapter 18.73, Landscaping, Buffering and Screening Standards.
October 1985.
San Diego, County of, Low Impact Development Handbook: Stormwater Management
Strategies. Department of Planning and Land Use, San Diego, California. Available at:
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/LID‐Handbook.pdf 2007.
Truckee Meadows Low Impact Development Handbook: Guidance on LID Practices for
New Development and Redevelopment. Available at:
http://www.cityofreno.com/Index.aspx?page=996 2005.
United States Department of Agriculture, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds, Technical
Release 55, June, 1986.
United States Green Building Council. 2009 (updated November, 2011). LEED for
Neighborhood Development Rating System. USGBC.org.
Watershed Management Group, Green Infrastructure for Southwestern Neighborhoods,
Version 1.0, August 2010.
Zeller, M.E., Hydrology Manual for Engineering Design and Floodplain
Management within Pima County, Arizona. Pima County Department of
Transportation and Flood Control District, September 1979.
103
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