How can you best manage storm water run-on at your construction site?

Are you doing ground disturbing activities and trying to manage storm water? Do you have the challenge of storm water running on to your project from another property? Should you divert the storm water around or through your project?

Run-on is storm water runoff from another property that is entering a site. Storm water run-on from an adjacent property can be problematic on your construction site where you have areas that are not yet stabilized. Additionally, run-on can impact existing best management practices (BMPs) on the project. A run-on diversion may need to be implemented to manage run-on. Run-on diversions are devices to intercept, divert, and convey off-site surface runoff around or away from the project site to prevent site erosion.

Determining the areas where your project may receive storm water run-on should be considered in the pre-construction planning phase. Additionally, considering the site topography, determining the limits of construction, and identifying areas that will be disturbed, will help you prepare when selecting the types of BMPs that will be needed to manage run-on.

The following BMPs may be considered to manage and divert stormwater run-on:

  • Earth Dike
  • Temporary Drains and Swales
  • Vegetated Filter Strips and Buffers
  • Slope Drains
  • Top and Toe of Slope Diversion Ditches/Berm
  • Sandbag Barrier
  • Check Dams
  • Outlet Protection and Velocity Dissipation Devices

Remember that managing run-on to your project site is your responsibility, and developing a plan to include run-on diversions around disturbed areas will protect your site from excess erosion. On-going management of BMPs in areas where ground disturbing activities has occurred is often challenging and eliminating the additional challenge that run-on can cause will likely save you time and money throughout the life of your project!

Should you want more information on Run-on Diversions or other related BMPs, please view our Construction Best Management Practices Field Manual.