University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2015-07-09 Evolution of Low Impact Development in Calgary, Alberta Ryan, Susan Elizabeth Ryan, S. E. (2015). Evolution of Low Impact Development in Calgary, Alberta (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26007 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2342 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Evolution of Low Impact Development in Calgary, Alberta by Susan Elizabeth Ryan A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GEOGRAPHY CALGARY, ALBERTA JUNE, 2015 © Susan Elizabeth Ryan Abstract Calgary is a leading Alberta municipality in low impact development (LID). This thesis provides a discussion and analysis of Calgary’s transition to the LID approach to stormwater management. The drivers of change that preceded the introduction of LID to Calgary are examined. Research includes in-depth assessment of interwoven federal, provincial, regional and municipal regulatory and policy aspects, as well as interviews with practicing stormwater management professionals. The natural hydrological regime (created by Calgary's cold, semi-arid climate, Chinooks, post-glacial topography and dense clay soils) relies on evaporation and evapotranspiration, rather than infiltration for pre-development stormwater processes. The goal of the city’s Stormwater Management Strategy is to improve post- development stormwater quality and minimize morphological impact on the receiving waters. In April 2014, Calgary adopted Interim Stormwater Targets based on pre- development peak and annual volume discharge per unit area. LID remains an evolving field, with many challenges yet to be overcome. ii Acknowledgements Many people accompanied me on this journey toward a Master’s degree. I would like to specifically thank the following: My supervisor, Dr. Dianne Draper, and her never-ending insights and patience. Committee members Dr. Gwendolyn Blue, and Dr. Cathryn Ryan (and Dr. David Manz, proposal defence committee). All errors and omissions are my own. Advice and edits from Bernie Amell, René Latourneau & Judy Stewart. Alberta Graduate Student Scholarship, which enabled me to attend conferences and workshops directly related to stormwater management in Alberta The stormwater management professionals who gave up part of their busy days to participate in the interview section of this research. Office mates and class mates Magdalene, Ryan, Huihui, Tatenda, Nicole, Monica, Rishi, Jeremy and Jessica, to name but a few. My husband John, and daughters Janet and Caitlin, whose inspiration and support were very important to me in the undertaking and completion of this Master’s degree and thesis iii Dedication This Master’s Thesis is dedicated to my parents, Phil and Celine Ryan, who taught me the value of hard work, and encouraged to me play in the rain. iv Table of Contents Abstract ……… .......................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... iii Dedication …… ......................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ v List of Appendices …….……………………………….……………………….…xii List of Figures … ...................................................................................................... xii List of Tables ……………… …………………...………………………………xiv Acronyms ………………. ........................................................................................ xv Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1.1 Brief History of Urban Stormwater Management ................................................. 1 1.1.1 Water Quality ............................................................................................... 3 1.1.2 Stormwater Quantity Issues .......................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Urban Water Use – Conservation Required ................................................. 6 1.1.4 Water Management Changes in Calgary ...................................................... 6 1.2 Research Objective ................................................................................................ 7 1.3 Research question .................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................ 10 2.1 Evolution of Stormwater Management from Curb-and-Gutter to Low Impact Development (LID) ............................................................................................. 10 2.2 Natural vs. Urban Hydrological Cycle – Water Quantity Management ............. 11 2.3 Non-Point-Source Pollution - Water Quality Management ................................ 19 2.4 Stormwater Management Systems ...................................................................... 21 2.4.1 Changes to standard practice of stormwater management ......................... 21 v 2.4.2 The Era of Stormwater Management (SWM) Best Management Practices (BMP) .................................................................................................................. 22 2.5 Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Stormwater Management Best Management Practices (SWM BMP). ................................................................. 24 2.5.1 Clarifying the Benefits ............................................................................... 25 2.5.2 Identifying and Overcoming Barriers ......................................................... 26 2.6 Modelling LID is One of the Remaining Challenges .......................................... 29 2.7 What are the Drivers of Change? ........................................................................ 30 2.8 Low Impact Development in the Canadian Context ........................................... 31 2.9 Literature Gap ..................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 3: Research Approach and Methodology............................................... 33 3.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………….33 3.2 Qualitative Research - Case Study ...................................................................... 34 3.3 Scale – Physical, Jurisdictional and Temporal .................................................... 35 3.3.1 Physical....................................................................................................... 36 3.3.2 Jurisdictional............................................................................................... 36 3.3.3 Temporal..................................................................................................... 38 3.4 Research Bias ...................................................................................................... 39 3.4.1 Limitations of this Research ....................................................................... 40 3.5 Research Methods ............................................................................................... 41 3.6 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 4: Research Setting: Physical Geography .............................................. 45 4.1 Location and Demographics................................................................................ 46 4.2 Natural Regions ................................................................................................... 46 4.2.1 Natural Hydrological Regime ..................................................................... 51 4.3 Soils Influenced by Continental Glaciations and Post-Glacial Climate Conditions ………………………………………………………………………53 vi 4.4 Climate and Weather –Temperature, Precipitation and Chinook Winds ............ 55 4.4.1 Precipitation ................................................................................................ 56 4.4.2 Finite Water Supply and Growing Population ........................................... 58 4.4.3 Chinook Winds ........................................................................................... 58 4.4.4 Impact of Climate Change .......................................................................... 59 4.5 Natural/Pre-development Surface Drainage…….……………………………..60 4.6 Summary of Physical Geography Challenges ..................................................... 65 Chapter 5: Regulatory Framework for Stormwater Management Change – Federal, Provincial and Watershed Levels ..................................................... 67 5.1 Federal Level ....................................................................................................... 68