CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORMWATER INFILTRATION SYSTEMS IN KARST REGIONS OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Degree type
Master of Science in Applied Geoscience (MSAG)
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Discipline
Earth Sciences
Subject
Infiltration, Karst, Limestone, Sinkhole, Stormwater Design
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Copyright date
2025
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Author
Margaret Shirley Dunkelberger
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Abstract

The state of Pennsylvania has some form of karst in more than half of its counties, with most found in the central, south central, and southeastern portions of the state. Because of this, those parts of the state experience sinkholes, caves, springs, and disappearing streams. Karst conditions present special challenges when development sites need to manage post-development stormwater with infiltration to maintain pre-development hydrology. The 2006 Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practice Manual (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) provides guidance for site investigations and stormwater management design based on limited design data from early infiltration systems built in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. In the nearly twenty years since the publication of the 2006 Manual, there has been very limited research in the field. This paper evaluates the six case studies provided in the 2006 Manual and other sites to determine if the established basins have performed as designed since construction. Facility owners were interviewed regarding the success or challenges of the basins post construction. This construction and performance data will help inform the design and construction of future stormwater basins being built in karst areas in the state of Pennsylvania and potentially elsewhere. This data shows the success of infiltration systems over a significant time period. A key finding was that with proper investigation and infiltration design adapted to site conditions, infiltration basins can be constructed in karst areas with minimal risk of failure.

Advisor
Adams, Michele
Date of degree
2025-05-20
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