SECTION 7
DRAINAGE CRITERIA
Estimating Storm Runoff
The Rational Method of estimating the storm runoff shall be
utilized for all waterway openings equal to or less than 19
square feet. The proposed method for computing the storm runoff
requiring a waterway opening greater than 19 square feet shall be
approved by the Division of Highways. The Rational Method of
design is as follows:
Q =C i A
Q =Rate of runoff in cubic feet per second
where
C =Weighted runoff coefficient (average of the
coefficients assigned to the different types of
contributing areas)
i =Average rainfall intensity, inches per hour, for the
selected frequency and for duration equal to the
time of concentration.
A =drainage area, in acres, tributary to the point under
design.
The following values of C for various types of contributing areas
shall be utilized in the solution of this method of design:
Values of Runoff Coefficients (C)
for Use in the Rational Method
_________________________________________________________________
Runoff
coefficient
Type of surface (C) 1
_______________________________________________________
Rural Areas
Concrete or sheet asphalt pavement 0.8-0.9
Asphalt macadam pavement 0.6-0.8
Gravel roadways or shoulders 0.4-0.6
Bare earth 0.2-0.9
Steep grassed areas (2:1) 0.5-0.7
Turf meadows 0.1-0.4
Forested areas 0.1-0.3
Cultivated fields 0.2-0.4
1
For flat slopes or permeable soil, use the lower values.
For steep slopes or impermeable soil, use the higher values.
Runoff
coefficient
Type of surface (C) 1
_______________________________________________________
Rural Areas
Flat residential, with about
30 percent of area impervious 0.40
Flat residential, with about
60 percent of area impervious 0.55
Moderately steep residential, with about
50 percent of area impervious 0.65
Moderately steep built up area, with about
70 percent of area impervious 0.80
Flat commercial, with about 90 percent
of area impervious 0.80
_______________________________________________________
Contributing drainage areas shall be evaluated based on the
fully developed land in accordance with the existing or
proposed zoning.
For a more detailed explanation of the Rational Method of
design see "Design of Roadside Drainage Channels"
published by U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration.
Hydraulics of Drainage Channels
The Manning equation shall be utilized to express the flow
of water in open channels. The Manning equation is as
follows:
1.49
V = n R2/3 S1/2
where
v= Velocity in feet per second (f.p.s.)
n= Manning coefficient of channel roughness
r= Hydraulic radius, in feet
s= Slope, in feet per foot
The following values of n for various types of channel
linings shall be utilized in the solution this
equation:
Manning Roughness Coefficients (n)
1. Closed Conduits
Reinforced Concrete Pipe 0.012
Corrugated Metal Pipe or Pipe Arch
Plain or Fully Coated (Unpaved) 0.024
25% of circumference paved 0.021
Fully Paved 0.012
2. Lined Open Channels
Concrete (float finish) 0.014
Plain Rip Rap 0.040
Grouted Rip Rap 0.035
3. Swales and CHannels with Maintained Vegetation
Grass (mowed to 2") 0.045
Grass (good stand - 12" height) 0.09
4. Street Gutters
Concrete 0.012
Asphalt 0.013
For additional values see "Design Charts for Open-Channel
FLow" published by U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highways Administration.
Drainage Criteria
-Culverts: 25 year storm frequency. Check the
design to verify that the headwater elevation
is no higher than 1'=0" below the edge of the
proposed shoulder and that the resulting
ponding is not detrimental to the highway or
the adjacent property.
-For the purpose of this section a culvert is a
drainage facility which transports water from
a natural drainage course.
-See "Hydraulic Charts For The Selection of
Highway Culverts", Hydraulic Engineering
Circular No. 5, December 1965, U.S. Dept. of
Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration.
-Storm Sewers: 10 year storm frequency. Check
the design to insure the hydraulic gradient
is no higher than 1'-0" below the top of the
inlet.
-See "Design of Urban Highway Drainage - The State
of the Art," August 1979, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration.
-Inlet Design (10 year Frequency): Check the
design to insure the spread of water is no
greater than 8 feet from the flow line of the
curb. Maximum spacing of inlets is not to
exceed 300'.
-Parallel Ditching: (5 year Frequency): Check
the design to insure the depth of the water
in the ditch is no higher than 0'-6" below
the edge of the proposed shoulder.
-Drainage Design Report: A drainage design report
containing the following minimum data shall
be prepared for each project (See Figure X-1
to X-6 for various drainage charts that are
to be used in the preparation of the drainage
report):
a) Time of Concentration
b) Weighted runoff coefficient
c) Design discharge
d) Type and slope of drainage facility
e) Spacing of drainage inlets
f) Erosion protection
g)Drainage area plan to accompany storm
drainage calculations.
General Requirements
-Culverts: Minimum pipe size - 18" diameter or
equivalent. Minimum velocity (full flow) - 2
feet per second. Investigations shall be
made to determine required protection at the
outfall to prevent erosion of the outlet
channel.
-Storm Sewers: Minimum pipe size (full flow) -
15" diameter or equivalent. Minimum velocity
- 2 feet per second. Investigations shall be
made to determine required protection at the
outfall to prevent erosion of the outlet
channel. Maximum spacing of clean out
facilities is not to exceed 300'.
-Parallel Ditching: Investigations shall be made
to determine if protection of the ditch from
erosion is necessary. Maximum permissible
velocities for channels lined with vegetation
are as follows:
(FPS)
Permissible Velocity Easily
Erosion Resistant Eroded
Slope Range Soils Soils
0-5% 5 4
5-10% 4 3
-Culvert and Storm Sewer Outlet Velocity: The
treatment of the outlets for culverts and
storm sewers to control erosion shall be in
accordance, with "Hydraulic Design of Energy
Dissipators For Culverts and Channels",
Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 14, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration.
-Drainage Easements: Drainage easements are
required for all drainage facilities not
within a dedicated right of way. Underground
drainage facilities will require 20 foot
drainage easements. Open drainage facilities
will require a width equal to the width of
the facility at the proposed ground level
plus 5 feet on either side of the facility.
-Offsite Easements: Drainage easements are
required for offsite drainage facilities in
order to provide positive drainage from the
development to the point of discharge.
Development drainage must be carried to a
natural or existing drainage course. Copies
of drainage easements are to be provided the
Department and referenced on the record plan.
-Drainage Discharge: The outfall shall be carried
to a point of positive outfall in order to
prevent downstream flooding.
