Stormwater Capture and Recharge of Urban Enhanced Runoff

Location

Cochise County, Arizona

Client

Cochise County and The Nature Conservancy

Project Description

GSA has performed multiple feasibility and monitoring studies to evaluate stormwater capture and groundwater recharge with the goal of using urban enhanced runoff to augment groundwater elevations and support riparian habitat and river base flows along the federally protected San Pedro River. Initial evaluation work focused on using existing hydrogeologic data and developing watershed runoff models to identify favorable recharge sites and evaluate potential stormwater volumes. Site specific investigations were performed to identify and characterize optimum areas for detention and recharge basin/channels with subsequent support to facility design. Additional surface water and groundwater modeling was performed to estimate stormwater volumes available for capture, potential groundwater recharge rates and subsequent effects on groundwater elevations and river flows. Surface water and groundwater monitoring is ongoing at several locations to include monitoring of long-term performance of drywells and infiltration galleries.

Project Highlights