Registration enables access to the protected features of this website. Your browser does not support Java, or Java is disabled in your browser. Calculation should be here. Introduction Top of Page Communities usually have guidelines stating that peak discharge at some location following development cannot exceed the peak discharge prior to development.
Development usually involves clearing trees and brush, paving surfaces, and constructing buildings.
These activities tend to increase runoff volume and peak discharge from the watershed. The city won't approve the project unless the developer incorporates enough detention storage to reduce the predicted peak discharge to the pre-development value of 150 cfs at the specified location. The engineer can use our calculation to determine the detention storage volume required to attenuate the peak discharge from 300 to 150 cfs. The storage volume can then be implemented as a single pond with that volume or several ponds, basins, or depressions that add up to the required volume. The NRCS has worked for decades developing equations and conducting experiments to determine reliable models for predicting storage volume for detention basins to reduce peak discharge from storm events.