Toward a Hydropedological Framework for Urban Stormwater Management.

Although largely unclassified, urban soils may provide great potential for infiltration of stormwater runoff volume, with subsequent value added via storage and redistribution of these water resources. We conducted soil surveys with high spatial resolution and applied straightforward field hydrologic measurement protocols to fully account for and embrace variation in hydropedological conditions across the urban landscape. In this presentation, we overview some results and experiences from sub-order-1 soil hydrologic survey work to inform basic issues in the taxonomy of urban soils and practical matters of quantifying the potential of soils to provide pore space for storage of urban runoff volume. Data taken from high-intensity soil surveys in designated stormwater-sewer management areas in Cleveland OH, Cincinnati OH, Detroit MI, and Omaha NE are used to illustrate the value of specific data to manage risk with regard to the design and implementation of infiltration-type green infrastructure practices (e.g., rain gardens or biodetention) in the urban landscape.