Green Roof Stormwater Management

Stormwater management is arguably one of the more beneficial aspects of installing green roofing systems especially in metropolitan areas.

Green roof stormwater management.

This course is about the different ways in which green roofs can be utilized as a stormwater best management practice and can supplement existing sewer infrastructure avoiding a number of weather related costs associated with climate change. Absorption of runoff into a green roof system will vary between 50 60 and is related to the type of growing medium and plant cover variability. Green roofs will intercept between 15 and 90 of rooftop runoff. Green roofs are very effective stormwater bmps.

When it rains runoff flows directly into stormwater systems and nearby waterways. Current green roof policies tend to be prescriptive based mandating a minimum depth and or composition of green roof growing medium. Variation in absorption rates can be as great as 50 based on differences in temperature wind evapotranspiration rates and plant uptake. Green roofs can improve stormwater management.

A typical extensive green roof of 3 5 inches depth will reduce the volume of runoff by about 55 in central pennsylvania and attenuate the peak runoff rates to the level of the pre development land use. Excessive rainfall can result in strains on these systems which can lead to flooding.