DESIGN PRINCIPLES In most natural wooded conditions in

15% Crown 27% Crown the GVRD, 90% of rainfall volume

Interception Interception never becomes runoff, but is either
■ Maximize the area of absorbent 8% Stemflow
15% Stemflow soaked into the soils or evaporates /
landscape – either existing or
transpirates. Trees, shrubs, grasses,
constructed – on the site. Conserve
77% Throughfall surface organic matter, and soils all
as much existing vegetation and 58% Throughfall
play a role.
undisturbed soil as possible.
Variables of Absorbent Landscape
■ Minimize impervious area by using
multi-storey buildings, narrower Pear Tree Evergreen Oak Tree
roads, minimum parking, larger
Winter tree canopies intercept 1. Crown Interception
landscape areas, green roof, and 2. Throughfall and Stemflow
pervious paving. 15% to 27% of rainfall.
1
3. Evapotranspiration
3 4. Soil Water Storage
■ Disconnect impervious areas from 5. Soil Infiltration
the storm sewer system, having 6. Surface Vegetation
them drain to absorbent landscape. 7. Organics and Compost
8. Soil Life
■ Design absorbent landscape areas 9. Interflow
as dished areas that temporarily 10. Deep Groundwater
store stormwater and allow it to soak 11. Water Quality Improvement
in, with overflow for large rain events 12. Impermeable Surfaces and
to the storm drain system. Surface Runoff

■ Maximize the vegetation canopy 2

cover over the site. Multi-layered
evergreens are ideal, but deciduous
cover is also beneficial for
stormwater management.
12
■ Ensure adequate growing medium
depth for both horticultural and
stormwater needs – a minimum
150mm for lawn areas, and 450mm
8
depth for shrub/tree areas. In wetter
climates with till subsoils, a minimum
depth of 300mm for lawn is required
to store 60mm of rainfall. 6 5
4

■ Cultivate compost into surface soils

7 Impermeable
to create minimum 8% organic surfaces create
9
matter for lawns, and 15% for 8-10 times more
planting beds. 10 runoff than
absorbent
■ To avoid surface crusting and 11
landscapes.
maintain surface permeability, install
vegetative (grass, groundcovers, 50
shrubs, trees) or organic cover
Infiltration rate (mm/hr)

Burlap Mulch Mulch

40 Mulch
(mulch, straw, wood fibre) as early removed
Straw mulch removed
as possible in the construction 30

process, and prior to winter storms. 20

Organic matter and soil Bare Bare
soil
■ Provide effective erosion control micro-organisms are vital to 10 soil

during construction, including maintaining soil infiltration rates.

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
erosion control on upstream sites Time (hr)
that may flow into the absorbent Rainfall storage in soil is 7%
Influence of surface cover on
landscape. to 18% of soil volume.
infiltration rate of sandy loam

Greater
Vancouver
Absorbent Landscapes Regional
District

Stormwater Source Control Design Guidelines 2005

Compost
Demonstration at
UniverCity
At SFU's community
Goya Ngan development, a 75mm compost
layer over absorbent soils has
Landscape Architect demonstrated effectiveness in
erosion control and runoff
interception. It has also
supported rapid vegetation
establishment.
Detailed design guidelines can be found in the Design
Guidelines 2005 report, available at www.gvrd.bc.ca Straw mulch