A Multi-Model Approach for Design and Planning of Resilient Storm Water Infrastructure: Using Science- and Community-Based Knowledge to Integrate Natural and Built Infrastructure in Small Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Abstract:

The complexity of processes that determine the hydrologic responses of watersheds under a changing climate requires regional or local analysis and makes it difficult to anticipate changes without a high level of uncertainty. A firm grasp of sources, levels, and degrees of uncertainty is extremely useful for making decisions. While current design standards in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) allow for the relatively simple and inexpensive inclusion of climate change considerations into storm water infrastructure design, new standards need to be developed that more fully include an accounting for the relevant uncertainty of design parameters. Such standards should take into account the available resources of a community/municipality to engage the relevant expertise. This requires integration across scales that include communities, organizations, and individual assets, which comprises institutional, technical, economic, financial, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects. This work continues the development of a methodological approach that can incorporate science-based quantitative knowledge and qualitative local knowledge into an integrative decision-support protocol or standard for planning and design of sustainable and resilient storm water infrastructure. Natural and built storm water drainage systems models have been developed for 6 communities in NL that have incorporated mapping existing storm water infrastructure assets and important natural watershed features. Models have been calibrated, evaluated, and baseline simulations run representing current conditions in the watersheds. The potential impacts of climate change, land-use change, and storm water management decisions (e.g. upgrading infrastructure or implementing low impact development, LID, practices) on the infrastructure systems will be assessed using the models in conjunction with municipal leaders and other community stakeholders to develop strategies for sustainable resilient infrastructure that integrates the built environment with the natural hydrology of the landscape. This contribution reports on the models and approach used for simulations and on how multi-sector engagement has been successful in model and scenario development.