Como Creek Final Report Feb 2002

D - 95
City of Coquitlam
Como Creek Integrated Stormwater Management Plan: Flood Risk Management and Watershed Restoration
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February 2002
WO22002002VBC
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CITY OF COQUITLAM
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:
FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION
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PREPARED BY:
CH2MHILL
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A
920 - 475 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9 Te1.604 684-3282 I Fax. 604 684-3292
February 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENTPLAN
FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PART A . STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE FRASER MILLS LOWLAND
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Background .................................................................................................. Approach ............................. : ........................................................................ Deliverables.................................................................................................. Study Area .................................................................................................... Project Issues ............................................................................................... Introduction................................................................................................... Overview of Previous Reports...................................................................... Nature o f the Problem .................................................................................. Recent Storm Events ................................................................................... Summary of Findings ................................................................................... Background .................................................................................................. Rainfall and Streamflow Data ....................................................................... Modelling Approach...................................................................................... Selection of Storm Events ............................................................................ Results for December 1999 Storm ............................................................... Results for January 1968 Storm ...................... : ............................................ Lowering the GVRD Sewer .......................................................................... Future Modelling Applications ...................................................................... Summary of Findings ................................................................................... Watershed Vision ......................................................................................... Plan Elements for Flood Relief and Habitat Restoration.............................. Hydraulic Control Elevations ........................................................................ Flow Control at Trans-Canada Highway ...................................................... Integrationwith Uplands Strategy ................................................................ Popeye Creek Stream Corridor Restoration ................................................ Capital Cost Estimates .................................................................................. 2001 Action Plan .......................................................................................... 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-2 1-2 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-4 2-4 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-2 3-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-4 4-1 4-1 4-2 4-3
CHAPTER 2
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9
CHAPTER 3
WATERSHED MODELLING
CHAPTER 4
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8
ELEMENTS OF AN INTEGRATED LOWLANDS PLAN
4-3
4-3 4-4 4-4
CHAPTER 5
INTEGRATION OF LOWLANDSAND UPLANDS STRATEGIES 5.1 Summary of Flood Mitigation for the Lowlands ............................................ 5.2 Land Use and Aquatic System Overview .....................................................
5-1 5-1
CH2M HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWAT~R MANAGEMENT PIAN OF CONTENTS TABLE
PART B . STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 6 MANAGEMENT'STRATEGY FOR THE COMO UPLANDS
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Problem Statement ..................................................................................... Identifying Solutions to the Erosion Problem.............................................. Identifying Solutions to the Flooding Problem ............................................ Summary of Findings 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-6
..................................................................................
CHAPTER 7
7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4. 7.5 7.6 7.7
LONG-TERM WATERSHED RESTORATION
7.8 CHAPTER 8
The Water Balance Approach ...................................................................... 7-1 Adaptive Approach to Watershed Retrofit ................................................. 7-2 Step 1 - Preliminary Targets for Rainfall Capture and Runoff Control.......7-3 Step 2 -Validation of Preliminary Rainfall Capture and ............................ 7-8 Runoff Control Targets Steps 3 and 4 Facilitating the Process of Change..... ............................. 7-10 Steps 5 and 6 - Ongoing Assessment of the Watershed........................... 7-11 Retrofit Strategy Watercourse Restoration ............................................................................ 7-12 Summary of Findings .................................................................................. 7-12
SHORT-TERM FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
8-1 8.1 Options for Flood Risk Management .......................................................... 8-1 8.2' Community Storage for Runoff Control ...................................................... 8.3 Culvert Upgrading and Bedload Interception..............................................8-4 8.4 Inter-Watershed Connections ..................................................................... 8-8 8.5 Summary of Findings .................. ; ............................................................... 8-9 9.1 Description of Uplands Plan Elements ....................................................... 9-1 9.2 Plan Elements for Long-Term Watershed Restoration............................... 9-1 9.3 Plan Elements for Short-Term Flood Risk Management ............................ 9-1 10.1 Performance Targets for Rainfall Capture............................................... 10.2 Land Use Redevelopment Scenarios ...................................................... 10.3 Examples of Rainfall Capture Techniques .............................................. 10-1 10-2 10-8
CHAPTER 9
ELEMENTS OF AN INTEGRATED PLAN FOR THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 10 CONCEPTS FOR RAINFALL CAPTURE AT.SOURCE
PART C . IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 11 IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS FOR COMO WATERSHED
11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Introduction............................................................................................. Summary of the Como Watershed Plan ................................................ Description of Watershed Actions .......................................................... Overall Costs of the Watershed Actions ................................................ Financing the Watershed Management Plan ............ ............................ Measuring Success ................................................................................ 11-1 11-1 11-3 11-3 11-4 11-4 12-1 12-2
CHAPTER 12 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................ 12.2 Recommendations ..................................................................................
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CHPM HILL
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED OF CONTENTS TABLE
STORMWATER MANAGEMENTPLAN
LIST OF TABLES
Follows
Page
s:
Table A Table 4-1 Table 4-2 Table 7-1 Table 9-1 Table 1 1-1
Implementation Actions for the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan ........ ES-2 Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief and Habitat Restoration ............. 4-2 In the Fraser Mills Lowlands
2001 Action Plan Projects for Flood Relief and Flow Control in ............................
Fraser Mills Lowlands Components of an Integrated Strategy for Managing the Complete ..................... Spectrum of Rainfall
4-5
7-3
Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Risk Management and Watershed....... 9-1 Restoration in the Como Uplands Implementation Actions for the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan ........11-3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure A Figure 1-1 Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Figure 213 Figure 3-1 Figure 3-2 Figure 4-1 Figure 4-2 Figure 4-3 Figure 4-4 Figure 5-1 Figure 5-2 Figure 6-1 Figure 7-1 Figure 7-2 Figure 7-3 Figure 7-4 Figure 7-5 Figure 7-6 Shared 50-Year Vision for Watershed Restoration Existing Watershed Problem Identification Potential for Flood Inundation Existing Control Points Levels of Modelling Intensity Duration Frequency Plots for Storm Events Concept for Surface Water Management in Fraser Mills Lowlands Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief and Habitat Restoration In the Fraser Mills Lowlands Proposed Control Elevations Schematic of Plan Elements and Flow Paths at Como and Popeye Drainage Outlets Fish Habitat Values and Constraints Watershed Health Classification System Typical Stream Bank Erosion in the Como Creek Ravine Typical Distribution for Annual Rainfall Events Strategy for Managing the Complete Spectrum of Rainfall Events Typical Distribution of Small Storms and Average Rainfall Intensity Typical Volume Distribution of Annual Rainfall Estimated Annual Water Balance for the Como Watershed Under Natural Forested Conditions Creek Health (B-IBI) versus Watershed Impervious Land Cover
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK ~NTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figure 7-7 Figure 7-8 Figure 8-1 Figure 8-2 Figure 8-3 Figure 8-4 Figure 8-5 Figure 8-6 Figure 8-7 Figure 8-8 Figure 8-9 Figure 9-1
Effectiveness of Source'Storageand Community Storage in Reduction Erosion Options for Long-Term Watershed Restoration in the Como Uplands Options for Short-Term Flood Risk Management in the Como Uplands Identification and Assessment of Opportunities and Constraints For Community Storage Tier C Storage Volume Needed for the Como Watershed Como Creek Culvert at Rochester Avenue Booth Creek Culvert at Austin Avenue Como Creek Culvert at Austin Avenue Como Creek Culvert at Rochester Avenue (top view) Booth Creek Diversion Culvert Inlet at Sheridan Operation of Inter-WatershedConnections for Flood Control Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Risk Management and Watershed Restoration in the Como Uplands Typical Existing Residential Street Impermeable Surface Area of a Typical Older Home Impermeable Surface Area of a Newer Home Block With Several New Two-Family Dwellings 1mpermeable.SurfaceArea of a New Two-Family Home Installation of Rainfall Capture Techniaues Installation Detail of Infiltrator Chambers Installation Detail of Infiltrator Chambers Mixing of a Soil and Organic Matter to Create a Good Landscape Soil Permeable Pavers (Rima Pavers by Westcon) Spaced Wood Deck Skinny Buildings Multi-storey Building with Underground Parking Absorbent Soils and Flow Control Over Parking Garage Installation of Cisterns in Parking Garages or Landscape Areas Rainwater Reuse Rainfall Capture Techniques for Medium Density Multi-Familv and Commercial Green Roof on a Large Airport Building Bioswales and Rain Gardens for Parking Area Runoff Local Urban Roadside Drainage Local Urban Roadside Drainage Concept at Lawn Local Urban Roadside Drainage Concept at Tree Key Functions of Riparian Habitat Stream Restoration Characteristics Pool and Riffle Construction Macro Pool for Summer Rearing Habitat and Deep Water Refuge Placement of Large Organic Debris Boulder Clusters Placed in Stream Brush Layering for Erosion Control
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Figure 10-1 Figure 10-2 Figure 10-3 Figure 1 0 4 Figure 10-5 Finure 10-6 Figure 10-7a Figure 10-7b Figure 10-8 Figure 10-9 Figure 10-1 0 Figure 10-11 Figure 10-1 2 Figure 10-1 3 Figure 10-1 4 Figure 10-1 5 Figures 10-1 6a-b Figure 10-1 7 Figures10-1 8a-b Figure 10-1 9a Figure 1 OT19b Figure 10-1 9c Figure 10-20 Figure 10-21 Figure 10-22 Figure 10-23 Figure 10-24 Figure 10-25 Figure 10-26
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CHPM HILL
Executive Summary
CHZM HILL
Restore natuxal.water balance through a Watershed Retrofit Strategy. , I , \
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I -
lestore natural rainage pattern of IVOseparate ubwatersheds.

LEGEND
11-1-11
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wEndmedtdluwalemxrsa
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timize Operation o f L*lershedrnnedian
eh#een~andpopeye reeks.
Zestore Popeye :reek and riparian

:reale new drainageo u b l t o
rea.
erve Boovl /popeve tributary
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MAHIIGEMEHPuul
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Pwc

E~ECUTNE SUMMARY
FINALREPORT FEBRUARY 2002
Executive Summary
1. Drivers for a Watershed Plan
The pressing need for a Como Creek Watershed Management Plan is driven by the drainage problems in this watershed, particularly the chronic flooding in the Lowlands. The City of Coquitlam is impacted by the consequences, which include: periodic property damage and road closures caused by flooding. high-risk of flooding related failure, such as road washout. sigruficant staff time to deal with the ongoing drainage problems. rapid watercourse erosion and instability in the Como Creek Ravine.
. .
Watercourse erosion is a particularly sigruficant impact because it increases the risk of flooding and degrades aquatic habitat. There is a strong expectation for aquatic habitat restoration from Coquitlam residents and the environmental agencies, and profitable land use must also be allowed to continue. The Como Watershed Plan provides watershed management solutions that integrate engineering, planning and ecological perspectives.
2. Integrated Solution for the Como Watershed

Providing flood control and restoring aquatic habitat are complementary objectives because flooding and habitat degradation have the same root cuuse:
Increased Impervious Sugace due t o development alters the natural water balance - The volume and rate of surface runoff from the Como Uplands is much greater as a result of urban development.
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The City of Coquitlam has recognized the need for an infegrufed so2ution that not only recognizes and supports land use change, but also eliminates the root cause of drainagerelated problems. The Como Watershed Plan presents an integrated solution for the entire watershed to provide immediate flood relief, and eventually restore aquatic habitat. The Plan is organized into three parts:
.
.
Part A develops specific solutions to provide immediateflood relief in the Lowlands.
Part B focuses on the opportunity to reduce runoff at the source in conjunction with future re-development in the Uplands. Part C presents a plan for implementing an integrated solution for the watershed.
Note that Part A was developed as an Interim Report to satisfy the City's need for immediate action, but included a shared 50-year vision for the entire watershed. The watershed planning process was holistic from the beginning. Figure A provides a picture of the shared vision for the Como Watershed and highlights its key elements.
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGWENT PIAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FEBRUARY 2002
FINALREPORT
Implementation Costs
The overall costs associated with short-term flood risk management and long-term watershed restoration are summarized below.
I
Management Objective
Short-term Flood Risk Management Long-term Watershed Restoration
Total
Short-term
(0-5 yrs) $7,050,00

1
Cost Estimates Medium-term (5-20 yrs)

$0
Long-term (20-50 yrs)

$0
$835,000
$2,965,000
(say $3 million)
$2,950,000
(say $3 million)
$7,985,000 (say $8 milion)
$2,965,000
$2,950,000
Table A lists the specific actions that are required to provide immediate flood relief and restore watershed health over time. The City is starting to implement some of these actions through the integration of an updated Subdivision Control Bylaw with a Stormwater Management Manual.
Providing Immediate Flood Relief

The existing drainage system in the Como Watershed is inadequate. The risk of flooding can be reduced in the short-term through the following improvements to t h i s system:
Improve the Lowlands drainage system and provide effective flow management. Upgrade high-risk interception culverts installations and provide bedload
Provide community detention storage at feasible locations.

These flood risk management measures will cost about $7 million over the next five years. These short-term improvements to the existing drainage system provide a partial solution. They can reduce but not eliminate the risk of flooding, nor can they restore aquatic habitat The complete solution is to restore the natural hydrology of the Como Watershed (i.e. eliminate the cause). This requires a long-term vision.
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CHZM HILL
COP0 CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT P L A N EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DRAFT FOR REVIEW
MARCH 2001
TABLE A*
ImplementationActions for the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan
jhort-
erm t a r r Way 0-5 years) I) Remove Booth Creek channel constrictions at and below Lucille S
mprove Lowlands Drainage System
)) Expand the Rainfall and Streamflow Monitoring Network.

:) Build a calibrated hydraulic model for the Lowlands drainage system 1) Upgrade the Booth/ Popeye Inter-Watershed Connection
?) Implement the Inter-Watershed Flow Control System at the Trans-Canada Highway
)
Create a separate drainage outlet for Booth Creek under the Lougheed Highway
Short-
:erm ' '0-5 years) I)
Jpgrade High-Risk Culverts and Provide Bedload Interception

Upgrade the Como Creek culvert at Rochester Ave. and provide bedload interception 3) Upgrade the Booth Creek culvert at Austin Ave. and provide bedload interception :) Upgrade the Como Creek culvert at Austin Ave. and provide bedload interception
Short-
term 10-5 years) I) Implement the Como Lake Storage and Flow Regulation Modifications
I)
Drovide Community Storage Facilities
Construct Popeye Detention Pond on BC Hydro Site
Short-
term (0-5years) 3) Implement the Casey Place Bedload Management Plan

2)
Identify Appropriate Targets and Design Options for Source Storage and Infiltration
b) Build a calibrated hydrology model for the Como Watershed
Complete a hydrogeologic investigation of the Como Watershed d) Implement and monitor source storage and infiltration pilot projects on public works. e) Establish a consultation process with landowners and the development community.
9 Create a technical manual of options for on-lot storage and infiltration, including draft
standard details and specifications, and make the manual available on-line.
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ShortBuild Support for Watershed Retrofit through Education term (0-5 years) a) Provide a self-guided training program including tours of pilot projects, fact sheets, videos,
and website information.
b) Offer training workshops and seminars to the development community.
c) Work with other agencies and local governments to design a one-day watershed training
workshop and certification program.
d)
Require that all public works staff and contractors on Coquitlam public works become watershed-certified.
CHZM HILL
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COMOCREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DRwr FOR REVIEW

MARCH 2001
;hod.em 0-5 years]
Change Development Regulations to Ensure that Source Storage Retrofit will Occur in Conjunction with Future Re-development
a) Remove barriers to source storage and infiltration in existing development regulations.
b) Incorporate the most appropriate targets and design options for source storage and
infiltration into the Engineering Standards.
c)
d)
Incorporate the new Engineering Standards into the Subdivision Bylaw, Building Bylaw, Zoning Bylaw, and Development Permit Guidelines. Complete an Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOW for one-window approvals.
Demonstrate a Commitmentto Watershed Restoration in the Short-term

a)
Implement a Water Quality Source Control Program in the Lowlands Implement the East Surge Channel Habitat Bank Provide expedited approvals on private sector projects that implement source storage and infiltration. Implement a program for bulk purchase and resale of storage and infiltration specialty products to participating developers the watershed becomes retrofitted with source storage and infiltration over time (note: requires expansion of rainfall and streamflow monitoring network) Create a new drainage outlet at the highways for the Booth/Popeye sub-watershed.
~
b)
Mediumterm
Facilitatethe Implementation of Source Storage Retrofit Strategy

a)
(5-20 Y S )
b) Implement a composting program to provide low-cost organic matter for absorbent soils
c)
d) Continuously monitor rainfall-runoff response and other indicators of watershed health as
Mediumterm (5-20 Yrs) Long-tern (20-50 yrs
Restore the Natural Watershed Drainage Pattern (two separate sub-watersheds)

e)
Restore Watercourses to Their Natural State

a)
Restore the Popeye Creek stream corridor between Brunette and Lougheed
b) Daylight the piped section of Booth Creek between Sheridan and Myrnam
c) Daylight the piped section of Como Creek below Como Lake
d) Daylight the piped section of Booth Creek below Foster

e)
Daylight the piped section of Como Creek below Rochester
* Part C of this report includes an expanded version of Table A that provides additional information for each project, including:
Cost estimates Management objectives City Department to take the lead role for project implementation
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3. Achieving a Long-Term Vision for Watershed Restoration

The key elements of the shared 50-year vision for the Como Watershed (see Figure A) are summarized below:
o Restore natural water balance - A substantial portion of the Como watershed will
likely redevelop over the next 50 years. Without a strategy for managing runoff at the source, the resulting land cover changes will exacerbate existing flooding problems and further degrade aquatic habitat. With an appropriate Watershed Retrofit Strategy to restore the natural water balance, redevelopment can become an opportunity to eliminate the root cause of drainage related problems. The key to this strategy is improving the existing standard practice of development so that future re-development projects incorporate source control facilities to reduce the volume and rate of runoff from rooftops and paved surfaces. Most of the short term watershed restoration costs ($835,000) are related to implementation of the Watershed Retrofit Strategy.
o Restore natural drainage pattern - In its natural state the Como Watershed consisted of two separate sub-watersheds, Como/ MacDonald and Booth/Popeye. This natural drainage pattern has been altered, so that the runoff from the entire watershed is
now channeled into the lower section of Como Creek. The result is a convoluted drainage pattern which causes flooding in the Lowlands. Creating a new drainage outlet at the Highways for the Booth/Popeye system will enable restoration of the natural drainage pattern. This will reduce the risk of flooding in the Lowlands and create opportunities for aquatic habitat restoration.
o Restore the Popeye Stream Corridor
The process of restoring the natural drainage pattern provides the opportunity to restore healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems to the Popeye Creek stream corridor, between Brunette and Lougheed. This stream corridor could become the crown jewel of the Como Watershed.
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Managing the Complete Spectrum of Rainfall Events

The Como Watershed Plan provides a strategy that is comprehensivein managing the runoff from all rainfall events. The following management objectives and targets for t h i s strategy are based on site-specsic rainfall characteristics.
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1) Rainfall Capture for Small Storms (Retain the first 30 m m of rainfall per day) - Infiltrate
the runoff from frequently occurring small storms (up to 30 rrun per day) at the source (on lots and road right-of ways) to'reduce total runoff volume. This will achieve a key target for long-term watershed restoration, reduce total runofvolume to Zess than 10% of total rainfall volume. runoff from the infrequent large storms, up to the size of a mean annual rainfall (60 mm per day), and release it a rate that approximates a natural forested condition.
2) Runoff Control for Large Storms (Detain the next 30 rnrn of rainfall.per day) - Store the
3) Flood Risk Management for the Extreme Storms (Convey the extreme events) - Ensure
that the drainage system can safely convey extreme storms, up to the size of a 100-year storm (140 mm per day).
All of these elements are essential to an integrated watershed management plan. Rainfall capture and runoff control are necessary to stabilize the rate of watercourse erosion, eliminate the source of flooding problems, and restore aquatic habitat. Flood risk management is necessary to address immediate flooding problems.
Source Control vs. Community Storage

Source control facilities are necessary to achieve the Rainfall Capture target defined above. Community detention facilities provide little reduction in runoff volume. The runoff control target can be achieved through a combination of on-site (e.g. infiltration facilities on lots and road) and off-site (e.g. community detention ponds) facilities. A key conclusion of the Como Creek Plan is that there are limited opportunities for building large community detention facilities. Therefore, the objective of the Watershed Retrofit Strategy is to provide rainfall capture and runoff control at the source (i.e. capture the first 60 mm of rainfall per day on lots and roads).
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. Integrated Watershed Planning Process

The key to successful development of the Como Watershed Plan was a process which involved the following two 'tracks' of effort working together:
o Plan Development Track #I : Technical analysis -Watershed characteristics, problems and potential management solutions were identified bough a technical
analysis process that combined the analytical skills and tools from engineering planning and ecology.
Q
Plan Development Track #2: Workshops and working sessions - technical information was presented at a series of workshops and working sessions with city staff, environmental agencies and representatives of the local business community and streamkeeper groups.
Input from both tracks led to a shared 50-year vision and watershed management decisions that are based on technically sound information and supported by an informed group of stakeholders. The 'triple eye' watershed planning process for the Como Watershed was truly integrated:
o Inter-departmental - The process was guided by an Inter-Departmental Steering
Committee of senior managers from Operations, Parks & Open Space, and Development Services. This facilitates co-operation within the local government. stage of plan developmentwill facilitate future agency approval processes.
o Inter-agency - Having provincial and federal environmental agencies involved at every
o Inter-disciplinary - engineering, planning and ecological perspectives were integrated

from the beginning of the watershed planning process.
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVESUMMARY
FINNREPORT FEBRUARY 2002
5. Implementing the 50-Year Plan

Changes in land use and development practices will be needed to translate the 50-year vision for watershed restoration into action. These changes must be implemented through an adaptive and collaborative approach that builds on the 'two-track process' and improves the 'standard practice' of development over time.
o Plan Implementation Track #I: Technical analysis
- The City can take a leadership role by implementing and monitoring demonstration projects to test the effectiveness of site-design options for stormwater source control.
o Plan Implementation Track #2: Workshops and working sessions The development community and landowners should be included in future consultation processes to ensure that changes in development standards and regulations are supported by those affected.
Constant Improvement
The 50-year vision for the Como Watershed is an over-arching target that provides direction for a long-term process of change, and the Watershed Action Plan provides a 'road map' for getting there. Over time, as better development practices evolve and the watershed becomes retrofitted with source control, it is important to monitor the success of watershed restoration. Since the change in rainfall-runoff response is a key indicator, an adequate rainfall and streamflow monitoring network is essential for the adaptive approach to watershed management.
Ongoing monitoring and assessment of progress towards a long-term vision will improve understanding of the p o k y , science and site-design aspects of integrated stormwater management. Improved understanding will:
o lead to the evolution of better land development and stormwater management practices.
P
enable action plans to be adjusted accordingly.
Learning from experience and constant improvement are the foundations of an ndaptiue approach to change.
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
6. Recent Innovation in Stormwater Management

The purpose of this section is to present a summary of recent innovations in stormwater management, particularly relating to source control, that will enable the City of Coquitlam to leapfrog forward. The starting point for moving forward with implementation of the Action Plan is now well beyond the point where the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan left off.
h i s Since Como Plan was completed in March 2001, there have been several initiatives in t region that have expanded on the 'how to' details of implementing stormwater source control. These initiatives (described in this section) have built on the conclusions and recommendations of the Como Plan to further advance the integration of stormwater management and land development at the watershed, neighbourhood and site scales.
h i s region. The Plan is part of a The Como Plan has already been a catalyst for change in t process of change on a regional scale, towards a better standard practice of land development and stormwater management.
Regional Interest in Source Control

A key conclusion of the Como Plan is that the only complete solution to control watercourse erosion and restore stream health is to retrofit the watershed with source controls as land redevelops. Other municipalities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) are also starting to embrace a source control philosophy as a 'central element of integrated stormwater management. The state of the Como Creek Watershed (fully developed with sigrulicant drainage problems) is typical of many other watersheds in the GVRD. There is widespread recognition that the problems in these watersheds are likely to be made worse in the future due to land use dekification and the effects of climate change (both of which are likely to increase the volume and rate of surface runoff). Significant interest has emerged in the application of stormwater source controls on redevelopment projects as a way to avoid the worsening of drainage problems and also support restoration of aquatic ecosystems and decrease flooding risk over time, thus turning potential problems into an opportunities (watershed restoration). However, there is a lack of scientifically defensible data on the long-term effectiveness and benefits of stormwater source controls. '
GVRD Study on the Effectiveness of Source Control

The interest and the lack of information on source controls prompted the GVRD to complete a study and report on the Efictiueness of Stomwater Source Control. This report provides a quantitative reference on the effectiveness of the following categories of stormwater source controls, in terms of how well they reduce the volume and rate of surface runoff: Absorbent landscaping Infiltration$mlities (on lots and along roads) Green roofi Rainwater reuse.
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED W G E M E N T PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The focus of the Source Control Report is on defining the hydrologic performance of each source control category for a range of land use types, soil conditions, rainfall conditions, and source control design options. For each source control category, the report also provides design guidance and discusses cost implications, operation and maintenance requirements, and water quality benefits. The report on the Efictiveness of Sfomwafer Source Control provides guidance for local government staff and developers regarding where and how to implement various source control options. The results of the study also demonstrate that it is achievable to sign@cantZy improve and pofenfidly restore watershed health over a SO-year timeline by applying combinations of source controls. The information in the GVRD report can complement the Como Watershed Plan in terms of helping City staff determine:
R which source control options are worth pursuing for different land use types and soil conditions, and
>
what can realistically be achieved through the application of source controls.
The next step in a restoration strategy for the Como Watershed would focus on the catchments of critical stream reaches (e.g. the portion of the Como Watershed above the eroded ravine). The costs and benefits of source control options for these catchments must be evaluated in the context of site-specific information on soil conditions, hydrogeology, drainage infrastructure, and land use/ site design characteristics.
Application of the Water Balance Model

The GVRD source control evaluation project has resulted in a decision support tool named the Water Balance Model It provides an interactive and transparent means for municipalities to evaluate the potential effectiveness of stormwater source controls in a watershed context, and to evaluate source control design options at the site level. This model is available to the City.
An early version of the WBM was used to test rainfall capture and runoff control criteria for . 4 ) . For the GVRD study, the model was enhanced to the Como Watershed (see Section 7 generate performance relationships for the various categories of source controls. These relationships provide guidance regarding how to integrate source controls with land development/re-development, at the planning and site design levels.
Figures B, C and D show example performance curves for infiltration facilities, which show o i l type and the amount of how the performance of infiltration facilities vary depending on s space provided for infiltration. The GVRD Source Control Report includes similar infiltration performance curves for: R 8 land use types, with t o t a l lot coverage ranging from 30% (e.g. low-density single family) to 98% (e.g. town centre commercial). R 4 road types, with paved roadway widths ranging from 8.5 m (e.g. local roads) to 16 m (e.g. divided arterials). The Report also includes performance curves for other types of source controls, including green roofs, rainwater reuse, and absorbent landscaping. The performance of source controls
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
are also related to other factors, such as, amount of rainfall, population density, and absorbent soil depth.
Infiltration Facility Performance (Runoff Volume Reduction)
60% lot coverage (eg. newer single family)
100
Hydraulic Conductivity of Local Soils
-Very
Low (1 mmhr)
mmihr)
(25
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mmlhr)
Wh (50
(13
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Oh
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- - NoSource
Figure B
of Lot Used for Inflltratlon
Infiltration Facility Performance (Runoff Rate Reduction) 50% lot coverage (e-g. newer single family) Hydraulic
conductiwity of
Local soils
mmh)
rnmhr)
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Figure C
% of Lot Used for Infiltration

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Infiltration Facility Performance (Runoff Volume Reduction)

I 1 m Paved Roadway (e.g. collector mads)
Hydraulic Conductivity of
Local Soils
-Vel](
Low (1 mmlhr)
(2.5 mmlhr)
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-Medium (13 mmlhi

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Figure D
Width of Infiltration Swale/Trench (m)
- - No Soura
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL REPORT
Other Relevant Advances in Stormwater Management

The products and lessons learned from the following initiatives can also help the City of Coquitlam move forward with the Action Plan for the Como Creek Watershed:
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Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia - This document provides guidance for local governments on how to achieve Integrated Stormwater Management at both planning and site levels. The Guidebook emphasizes an adaptive approach to site design, and develops performance-based methodologies that will lead to constant improvement in standard practice. The Guidebook draws heavily on case study experience by leading local governments and developers in BC. The Como Watershed Plan has provided a leading example that has influenced the development of the Guidebook. Burnaby Mountain Watercourse and Stomwater Management Plan This Plan translates hydrologic performance targets and design criteria established at the watershed level (through the Stoney Creek Watershed Plan) into specific site design practices for the Burnaby Mountain Community Development. Construction has begun on Burnaby Mountain, and over the next few years monitoring data will be collected to enable a comprehensive evaluation of the stomwater system performance. Performance data will be collected for: on-lot infiltration facilities, self-mitigating roads (infiltration swale/trench systems designed to virtually eliminate roadway runoff), and community detention ponds.
Continuous monitoring of water level and overflow from these stormwater system components will enable the system performance to be evaluated relative to the established targets, and provide a better understanding of stormwater infiltration systems.
o City of Chilliwacks Policy and Design Criteria Manual for Surface Water Management - The
Manual is a case study application of the Provincial Guidebook, and includes how-to guidelines for the design of stormwater systems. These Developer Guidelines include design tables that show developers how much space they need to provide for infiltration facilities to achieve rainfall capture targets, based on investigation of local soil conditions (rainfall capture targets for Chilliwack are very similar to those established in the Como Plan). The Guidelines that have been vetted through the local development community, and applied on several development projects in Chilliwack. Performance monitoring data from these demonstration projects will enable constant improvement of the Citys design guidelines.
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PART A
for Flood Relief and Habitat Restoration in the Fraser Mills Lowlands
Chapter 1 Introduction
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND H A E IT A TRESTORATION IN THE FRASER MILLS LOWLANDS
F I N M R E W R T 2002 FEBRUARY
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1.1 Background
The work plan for development of the Coma Creek Watershed Management Plan was implemented in three parts over a 12-monthperiod:
0
P a r tA
Lowlands. P a r t B - Strategy for Flood Risk Management and Watershed Restoration in the Como Uplands P a r t C Implementationof the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan
- Strategy for the Flood Relief
and Habitat Restoration in the Fraser Mills
Part A was prepared as an Interim Report to satisfy the City's need for immediate action to address the flooding problems in the Lowlands. This part of the report consolidates and summarizes the results of the work effortcompleted during the January through June 2000 period.
1.2 Approach
The Watershed Management Plan was developed through a workshop process that provides a forum for inter-departmental communication and stakeholder participation. The process comprised seven sessions as follows:
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Working Session #1-Chartering of Client/Consultant Project Team Working Session #2 Hydrology Workshop Working Session #3 Flood Mitigation Plan Review Working Session #4 Potential Actions Workshop Working Session #5 Fisheries and Environment Workshop
Working Session #6 - Retrofitting Impervious Area Reduction

Working Session #7 Elements of an Uplands Strategy
The agenda and the record of each session are included as Appendix A. This appendix provides documentation of the process. It was a structured process. Each workshop had a specific purpose, objectives, and desired outcome. This approach facilitates understanding and trust-building.
1.3 Deliverables
A series of deliverables were presented at the seven workshops to provide a focus for soliciting stakeholder feedback and input. The deliverables are incorporated herein, and comprise a set of iawings and tables. The key deliverables are the Ekmenfs o f an Integrated Plan, and a Matrix that captures the decision analysis for the plan elements.
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COMO C R E E K lNTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENTPLAN P A R TA STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND M I T A T RESTORATION IN THE
FRASER MILLS LOWUNDS
The Lowlands Strategy was developed in the context o f a holistic framework that considers the inter-relationship o f the plan elements with an Uplands Strategy. While Part A focuses on immediate flooding problems in the Lowlands, it includes a shared 50year vision for the entire watershed.
1.4 Study Area

Figure 1 1shows the extent of the 825-hectare study area in the southwest comer of Coquitlam. Como Lake Road defines the northern boundary. Como Creek flows through a series of closed conduits and open ravines from its headwaters at Como Lake south to the Fraser River floodplain. There, four major tributaries (Booth, Popeye, McDonald and Mill Creeks) join it and together they drain through an open channel to the Fraser Rver. The study area characteristics are described as follows:
+ An upper benchland and a lower floodplain + A ravine system along the face of the benchland + An abrupt change in grade at the ravine outlets + Tidal influencein a portion of the floodplain
The benchland is primarily single family residential, with much of the development having taken place in the 1950s and.1960s. Redevelopment of the older neighbourhoods (e.g. Maillardville) is now taking place. The floodplain has been transformed by 'big box' commercial development.
1.5 Project Issues

In the 199Os, the Como Creek watershed has undergone many changes. New challenges have emerged. These challenges are driving the need for an integrated approach to stormwater and stream corridor management. These include consideration o f flood risk management, habitat enhancement, and land use planning. Looking ahead, the 'integrated plan' must address five key issues:
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Impervious Cover: Replacement o f small houses with large houses is increasing the percentage of impervious ground cover (i.e. now 53%). . Storm Sewer System: Surface runoff in the upper watershed is now being conveyed faster and more efficiently by storm sewers to receiving creeks. The impact of impervious area changes is magrufied because new houses are connected to storm sewers.
Drainage Hot Spots: Changes in upstream hydrology have resulted in chronic flooding problems at several downstream locations. During storm events, three (3) of the City's eight (8) drainage crews are required in t h i s area. Land Use Changes: The lower watershed is being redeveloped to higher value commercial land use. This results in 'zero tolerance' for disruption' of public access due to road corridor closures.
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COHO CREEK WBTERSHED M A C I A G E M E W T PlAW
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R TA S T R A T E G YFOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE FRASER MILLSLOWLANDS
FINALREPORT 2002 FEBRUARY
Stream Stewardship: Community interest, involvement and expectations are rising as a result of stream enhancement projects. The Citysbylaws are not current in dealing with these issues and require updating.
Historic flooding problems have occurred over the years in the lower reaches of the creek, particularly Booth Creek between Schoolhouse and Myrnam Streets. The goal of Part A is to develop an Action Plan that provides the C i t y with a path forward.
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Figure 2-3
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENTPLAN PARTA STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATIONIN THE FRASER Mius LOWLANDS
2.3 Nature of the Problem

Watershed Changes
The Como Creek watershed has undergone considerable change over the decades, especially during the 1945 through 1975 period. This was the era of rapid urbanization. The consequences of these changes are summarized as follows:
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More Surface Runoff Under natural forested conditions, there is no surface runoff. Replacement of the origmal forest cover with roads and buildings results in surface runoff.
Flow Concentration
The resulting surface runoff from the upper watershed is discharged into the ravines, and is then intercepted at the ravine outlets by a system of man-made channels. These convey the runoff through the lowlands to the e h t i n g Como outlet at the Trans-Canada.
Water Trapped The highway is a barrier that restricts the rate of outflow. "'his results in channel back-watering and flood overflows in lowlying areas (e.g. along Schoolhouse Street). The back-watering problem is aggravated by tidal conditions in the lower reaches.
In the year 2000, the incremental impact of larger and larger storm events is observed to be as follows:
+ A 25mm rainfall event results in the lowland channelsflowing 'bank full' + A 75mm rainfall event results in Booth Creek flooding along SchoolhouseStreet
Comparison of Conditions
The cause of overflows is a channel constriction at Lucille S t a r r Drive. The constriction is a private access bridge. Rainstorms in the order of 7 5 occur frequently (i.e. every couple of years). The most recent was on December 1 5 t h 1999.
Conditions in 2000 are considerably improved over those in 1975,and flooding frequency has been reduced, but:
I I I I
+ The two highways are still a barrier + The drainage systemis still looped + There are no hydraulic controls to direct flow + Channels.still have limited floodway capacity + Culvert openings are still restricted by siltation + The Popeye Creek system still lacks a proper drainage outlet
The last point is key. Histor@ly, Popeye and Como had separate outlets to the Fraser River. As of 1975, there was a single combined outlet on the alignment of Mill Creek parallel to King Edward. In 1975,a key recommendation was to restore the Popeye outlet. In 1990,however, the decision was made to route Popeye west alongside the Lougheed and combine it with Como. Popeye is presently routed alongside the Trans-Canada to connect with Como.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER hbNAGEMENT PIAN PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION M THE
FRASER Mius LOWLANDS
Culvert Performance
The absence of culvert inlet structures, combined with the lack of flow regulation at the Trans-Canada Highway, results in extremely poor hydraulic performance under high flow conditions. Furthermore, culvert capacity ratings are highly sensitive to head and discharge losses resulting from poor entrance conditions and siltation, respectively. Good design practice is to provide suffiaent waterway openings under roadways such that a 'zero surcharge' conditionwill pass the 'design flow'. Another way to express this is to say that the streamflow should not even be aware that there is a culvert installation. This is the essence of a 'bridged' condition. The consequences of insufficient waterway openings at the Trans-Canada Highway are three-fold:
+ The highway culverts surcharge + Surcharging results in back-watering + Back-watering then results in channel overflows
The City is in the process of installing a new battery of 1200mm culverts at the TransCanada. The hydraulic analysis for the 100-year flood event is apparently keyed to surcharging the pipes to a Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) elevation that is close to pavement level (i.e. El 4.3m). As noted previously, the area along Schoolhouse Street is situated below the El 4m contour. Given that a 'weak link' in the upstream channel system is the private bridge at Lucille Starr Drive, the 100-year flood event for the Booth Creek tributary cannot be conveyed directly to the Trans-Canada.Of relevance, the 100-year event corresponds to a 13Omm rainfall. As noted previously, a 75mm rainfall results in bridge overflows.
Tidal Influence
Appendix B includes a graph of typical Fraser River levels under winter high tide conditions. The winter tidal range is also shown on Figure 2-3.Based on the culvert elevations shown on Figure 2-3,key points to note are highhghted as follows:
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The maximum tide corresponds to El 1.9m (approximately). This matches the invert elevation of the Como centre culvert at the Trans-Canada Highway. It is also apparent that the tidal influence extends upstream from the Trans-Canada Highway. The maximtlmhigh tide results in a partially submerged condition for a l l highway culverts other t h a n the Como centre outlet. Under a winter high tide condition, the area on either side of the Trans-Canada has the appearance of a lake.
The worst case scenario is that the peak rate of runoff will be coincident with the maximum high tide. Experience shows that worst case scenarios do occur. Hence, this is a governing condition for hydraulic analysis. The sigmficance of the foregoing is that an elevation difference (i.e. an HGL over and above the high tide level) is required to drive flow through the highway culverts and then down the downstream channel to the Fraser River.
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COMO CREEK m G R A T E D STORMWATER ?dANAGEMENl PIAN P A R T A m l E G Y FOR FLOOD REUEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE FRASERMILLS LOWLANDS
FIN~LREPORT FEBRUARY 2002
2.4 Recent Storm Events

On December 1 5 t h 1999, Booth Creek overflowed onto Schoolhouse Street and resulted in a prolonged road closure. The relative magnitude of t h i s event is assessed as follows:
+ The rainfall over 24 hours totalled 75mm + This had a return period between 2- and 5-years (i.e. based on the rainfall IDF curve) + This was the 12th ranked annual 24-hour event in 40 years of record + It was also the 7th largest annual 24-hour event in the past 20 years + Only three events in the past 20 years have exceeded 8Omm + Only ten times in 40 years has the annual 24hour maximum been less than 6Omm + The minimum 24-hourannual event in 40 years of record is 38mm
Annual 24-hour rainfall maximums typically fall into a tight band between 6Omm and 8Omm. This is a sigruficant finding, and provides an approximate basis for correlating the severity of storms. A rule-of-thumb for the Greater Vancouver region is that a winter rainstorm of roughly 50mm to 60mm is likely to result in a Mean Annual Flood (MAF) which by definition is a flood with a 2.33-year return period frequency.
On M a r c h 18th 2000, the rainfall totalled 23mm. At the end of the storm, the lowland channels were observed to be 'bank full'. Bank overflow was occurring east of the Bargain Castle and in the Highway Channel Loop to the west of Como Creek. The recently installed culvert at the Trans-Canada Highway was flowing almost full.
2.5 Summary of Findings
24-Hour .Rainfall 25mm 75mm
130mm
Results in channel 'bank full' condition throughout the lowlands Results in channel overflows at the Booth Creek private bridge. Occurs every few years and exceeds the Mean Annual Flood This is the storm of record. It correlates roughly with the 100-Year Flood
Hydraulic Impact
3. The lack of flow control plus insufficient waterway openings at the Trans-Canada result in poor culvert performance, especially when rainstorms coincide with high tide levels in the Fraser River.
4. Concentrating the total watershed runoff at the Trans-Canada drainage outlet for Como is contrary to the historical drainage pattern (whereby Popeye Creek had its own outlet), and exacerbates the back-watering problem. Based on the foregoing findings, it is apparent that the private bridge should be removed, and that Popeye Creek needs its own drainage outlet.
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Chapter 2 Problem Identification
CHSM HILL
,I ~I I I I I I I I I M 'I
COMO CREEK lNTEGRAED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN
PARTA- STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE
FRASER Mius Lowwr~s
FINALREPOAT FEBRUARY 2002
CHAPTER 2
Problem Identification
2.1 Introduction
Previous reports on lowland drainage present a complex and confusing picture of conditions in the study area. Hence, one of the objectives of this report is to provide the reader with a clear picture of problem causes. To achieve this objective, three drawings have been developed. The emphasis is on the lowlands.
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Problem Locations Figure 2-1 identifies eleven (11) drainage 'hot spots' in the watershed. Six (6) are in the upstream ravines and five (5) are in the lowlands. The chronic location for flood overflows is Schoolhouse Street at the intersection with Lucille Starr Drive. Note that these flood overflows are normally associated with a Fall/ Winter rainstorm that is coincident with a high tide condition in the Fraser River.
Flood Inundation Figure 2-2illustrates the potential for flood inundation resulting from a 200-Year Flood in the Fraser River during the May/June freshet period. The flood inundation limit corresponds to the El 4m contour. Note that the area along Schoolhouse Street that is prone to flooding is situated below the El 4m contour.
Control Points Figure 2-3 is a schematic cross-section drawing that shows the existing control points that are established by the culvert installations under the Lougheed and Trans-Canada highways. Note that the Trans-Canada culverts are installed at a higher invert elevation than the upstream Lougheed culverts.
The sigruficanceof Figure 2-1is that it shows that the problem locations are relatively few in number. However, they can generally be characterized as either chronic or high risk. Understanding Figure 2-3 is also key. Its relevance has to do with the hydraulic performance of drainage facilities.
2.2 Overview of Previous Reports

Previous investigations were completed in 1975,1989,1990,1993 and 1998.The first three were major studies, whereas the latter two were undertaken in support of specific projects (i.e. railway bridge construction at CP right-of-way in 1993;and design of culverts under Trans-Canada in 1998). Appendix B includes a synopsis of each report in tabular form. Key points to note are listed below:
+ The scope of each investigation was limited to lowlands drainage + The focus was on the strip between the Lougheed Highway and the Fraser River + The emphasis was on hydraulic modelling
Although the overall picture provided by previous reports is complex and confusing, the value of these reports is that they do enable a comparison of conditions in 2000 versus those in 1975.Of relevance, the flow routing in 2000 is completely different to that in 1975.
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I I I I
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION @
Wd-uiUarn
City of Coquitlam
I I
CONI0 CREER WATERSHED MAWAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter 3 Watershed Modelling
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CoMO CREEK b E G R A l E D STORMWATER hhNAGEMENI PWS PARTA STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HAB~AT RESTORATION INTHE FWER Mius LOWLANDS
Watershed Modelling
3.1 Background
Figure 3-1 conceptualizes the four main levels (or applications) of watershed modelling. A fundamental prinaple is that the level and/or detail of modelling should reflect the information needed by decision-makers to make an informed decision. The modeller must always take a step back and ask three defining questions before launching into a modelling exercise: 1. W h y are we building the model? 2. How will the model be applied? 3. What problems will the model help us solve?
A computer model is only as good as the experience of the modeller, and the availability
CHAPTER 3
of reliable and concurrent rainfall-runoff data to calibrate, verdy and validate the model.
3.2 Rainfall and Streamflow Data

In late 1999,the City installed flowmeters in both the Como and Booth diversion culverts. In addition, the GVRD operates a rainfall station in the study area. Unfortunately, there have been ongoing difficulties with operation of the two streamflow stations. As a result, there are concerns regarding data reliability. Hence, there is a pressing need to upgrade both stations to provide improved quality control and thereby ensure data reliability.
The rainfall station is a long-term station that w a s origmally located at the old City H a l l on Brunette. The station was relocated several years ago. The station has been operational since 1959.
3.3 Modelling Approach

Until the streamflow stations are upgraded, all that can be done is to build an uncalibIated model of the Como drainage system, input real rainstorms, and then test the sensitivity of various modelling parameters to develop confidence limits for the output data. Once reliable data are available, the model can be calibrated, verified and validated. For the purposes of a Watershed Management Plan, the present hydrologic modelling is at a conceptual (i.e. strategic) level to develop order-of-magnitude flow estimates to support the decision-making process. OTTHYMO, a planning model, has been applied to generate 'design flows' for selected control points along eachtributary channel. The model provides reasonable flow estimates for impact assessment purposes.
To assess channel conveyance in the lower reaches of the lowlands, the cross-section data from the existing EXTRAN hydraulic model have been used as input to OTTHYMO. The EXTRAN model was set-up previously for the design of the battery of 120Omm culverts under the Trans-Canada Highway. The model output is included as Appendix E.
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Figure 3-1
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORWATER h!ANAGEMENT P L A N P A R T A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELlEFAND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE
MILLS LOWLANDS FRASER
3.4 Selection of Storm Events

In the 199Os, a key issue in hydrologic modelling was the use of 'design storms' versus 'real storms'. Design storms are synthetic, worst-case events created through statistical distributions o f historical rain data. These distributions are derived from IDF curves, which are a composite of winter and summer storms. Hence, they are not representative of West Coast rainfall conditions.
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D F curves originated in an era when neither the databases nor the technology The use o fI to process the data were available to hydrologists. This resulted in the development of the simplified and empirical methodologies that underpin design storm applications.
Rather than use IDF curves, two real storm events have been selected for analysis: the 75mm storm on December 15th 1999 is recent and is therefore fresh in everyone's memory; the 134mm event on January 19th 1968 is the storm of record and has a 100-year return period. Figure 3-2 shows the rainfall pattern superimposed on the IDF curve. It can be seen that the real events have a different pattern as compared to the composite IDF curves. The real winter events are more evenly distributed over time and less intense.
3.5 Results for December 1999 Storm

The 75mm rainstorm on December 15th 1999 is a defining event. As noted in Section 2, it resulted in a condition very close to the Mean Annual Flood. Key findjngs are:
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If Booth Creek had not overflowed at Schoolhouse on December 15*, and if all the runoff could have been safely conveyed under the private bridge to the Trans-Canada Highway, then the peak runoff rate resulting from the rainstorm would likely have been in the range 9cms to llcms, with a distribution approximately as follows:
I ComoCreek Branch
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Booth/McDonald Popeye
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Proportion of Total Flow 45% 35% 20%

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could have handled 80% of the 9cms to llcms, albeit with limited surcharging However, it must again be emphasized that culvert capacity ratings are highly sensitive to head losses resulting from poor entrance conditions and siltation. On a practical basis, then, a larger surcharge would undoubtedly be required at the flood peak. The other 20% of the flow would have been routed through the Highway Loop.
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If all six 1200mm culverts had been installed under the Trans-Canada, they likely
If Popeye had been physically separated from Como, the existing lOOOmm culvert at the Trans-Canada would have required about a 0.5m surcharge to discharge the 2cms flow share originating from the Popeye watershed. Under this condition, and comparing it with the 'bank-full'observations noted on March 18*, the stream enhancement area east of the Bargain Castle would have been completely inundated.
In summary, a 75mm event can be considered a good test of drainage system performance
on a continuing basis.
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FRASER M
PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD kUEF AND h K A T RESTORANON IN THE
u LOWIANDS
3.6 Results for January 1968 Storm

The record storm occurred on January 1 9 t h 1968.The total rainfall depth for this event was O , and as noted previously, the 24-hour rainfall depth was 134mm.Only one about B other time in 40 years has the 24-hour rainfall exceeded l O O m m (i.e. 106mm on December 1 7 t h1 9 7 9 ) . It is noteworthy that the 1979 event is the record storm for Greater Vancouver. Based on running the 1968 storm through the uncalibrated model, and applying judgement to the selection of parameter values, the flow estimates for the three branhes are in the range 13cms to 15cms. The distribution by tributary is approximately the same. Given that the rainfall intensity for the January 1968 event is about 1.4 times that for December 1999 as shown on Figure 3-2,the flow estimates for the two events are quite consistent, as they about the same ratio. It needs to be emphasized that the existing Booth Creek channel does not have the capacity to contain and convey the 100-YearFlood (QlOO) to the Trans-Canada Highway. If it could, the required surcharge at the highway would be greater t h a n1.hto discharge the combined Como/Booth flow through the proposed battery of six 1200mm culverts. The existing Popeye culverts at Lougheed and the Trans-Canada should be able to handle QlOO from the existing tributary area. Minor surcharging would result. Adding the Booth flow would trigger the need for additional culverts.
3.7 Lowering the GVRD Sewer

The &posed top of the GVRD sewer establishes a control point at approximately El l.la Under a winter high tide condition, t h i s location would be submerged for about 10 hours. Hence, the benefit in lowering the sewer would mainly be for water quality purposes during the summer low flow period (i.e. to improve the channel flushing action). Lowering the sewer would have a marginal impact on water levels when a major rainstorm coincides with a high tide condition.
3.8 Future Modelling Applications

Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling will take on added importance once the data collection network is in place, and once the focus shifts to the functional planning and design of surface water management facilities. A calibrated model will be an essential tool for quanbfymg water levels and inundation durations for a range of operating conditions. Over time, a calibrated model will also enable monitoring of the effectiveness of impervious area reduction measures in the upper watershed. The flat gradient and culverted system at Lougheed and the Trans-Canada means the channel hydraulics have looped flow, upstream inlet control, backwater, and surcharge conditions that cannot be accurately simulated by a planning model such as OTTHYMO. For t h i s reason, the next step is to apply a detailed hydraulics model to simulate and confirm proposed system improvements. OTTHYMO does correlate the M a r c h 23d observation of bank overflows. Referring to Appendix E, model convergence required an excessively long processing time when routing flows through the flat gradient channels.
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COW CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN P A R TA STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE
FRASER Mius LOWLANDS

The results of the uncalibrated watershed modelling, as tempered by the application o f judgement and experience that integrates the insights presented in Section 2, are synthesized as follows: for Booth Creek as it flows through private property after exiling from the piped section.
1. Channel Capacity - A 25mm rainstorm corresponds closely to the 'bank full' condition
2. Mean Annual Flood At the downstream private bridge near Lucille Starr Drive, a 75rainstorm clearly results in bank overflows. These can be expected to occur quite frequently. Hence, this channel constriction needs to be removed on a priority basis to provide immediate flood relief.
3 . Flood Relief Removal of the Upper Booth flow would provide permanent flood relief downstream at Schoolhouse because the reduced flow could not exceed the bank-full condition.
4. December 15th 1999 Under a "no surcharge'' operating condition, the total rated capacity of the proposed six 120Omm culverts at the Trans-Canada is marginally
acceptable to handle a 75mm rainstorm event such as occurred on December 15th 1999. The hydraulic model indicates that the battery of culverts could have handled approximately 80 percent of the flow. The other 20 percent would have been routed through the Highway Channel Loop. Popeye sub-watershed is about 80/20. Combining Booth and Popeye would result in about a 50/50 split between the Como/McDonald andBooth/Popeye sub-watersheds.
5. Flow Split
- The split between the Como/Booth/McDonald tributary area and the -
f culvert inlet structures combined with the lack of 6. Culvert Capacity The absence o flow regulation at the Trans-Canada Highway results in extremely poor hydraulic performance such that culvert capacities should be de-rated.
7. Calibrated Modelling
A concurrent rainfall-runoff data collection program is needed for callbration, verification and validation of a computer model that can then be used as both a design tool and an operational tool for surface water management in the Fraser Mills Lowlands. The hydraulic component of t h i s tool would account for backwater, looped flow, tidal effects, and upstream and downstream hydraulic control when routing the calibrated hydrology component through the lower reaches.
Since a watercourse cross-section tends to be in equilibrium with the Mean Annual Flood (MAF), the result is channel instability if the MAF is varying. Erosion and sedimentation then degrade aquatic habitat. As a watershed urbanizes, the MAF progressively increases, and an increasingly larger cross-section is required to contain the MAF. If there is interference with t h i s natural process, the consequence is flood overflows.
This is the Booth Creek situation in the industrial area between Booth and Schoolhouse Streets. The upper watershed has undergone major changes in recent decades, but the conveyance capaaty through the lowlands has not been increased. Hence, a 25mm rainfall now results in a 'bank f u l l 'condition, and a 75- rainfall results in overflows.
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Chapter 4 Elements of an Integrated Plan for the Fraser Mills Lowlands
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Pwr P A R TA m T E G Y FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HAEITAT RESTORATIONIN THE FRASER MILLS LOWDS
FOWREPORT FEBRUARY 2002
CHAPTER 4
Elements of an Integrated Plan for the Fraser Mills Lowlands

4.1 Watershed Vision
Figure 4-1 illustrates the concept for surface water management in the Fraser Mills Lowlands as described below:
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Sub-watersheds Booth/Popeye
- Consider the watershed as two halves: Como/McDonald, -
and
Como/McDonald Outlet Improve the existing 'drainage outlet' at the Lougheed and Trans-Canada highways to serve the Como-McDonald tributary area Booth/Popeye Outlet - Create a new 'drainage outlet' at the two highways to serve the Booth-Popeye tributary area
The over-arching goals for the lowlands are: (1) provide flood relief; and (2) restore f the existing Inferaquatic habitat. Achieving these goals involves making effective use o Wafershed Connection between Booth and Popeye Creeks.
4.2 Plan Elements for Flood Relief and Habitat Restoration

Figure 4-2 illustrates the elements of an integrated plan that provides flood relief while enabling habitat restoration. The plan elements are cross-referenced to Table 4-1, which provides supporting details for each element as follows:
+ Describes the scope of the project + Classifies the element as either 'core' or 'optional' + Identifies the key benefits associated with project implementation + Provides a capital cost estimate + Identifies an approximate timeframe for implementation; short-term (0-5 years),
medium term (5-20 years), or long-term (20-50 years)
No.
13 14
The plan comprises 17 elements as listed below. The first group of seven involves work along Popeye Creek. The next six relate to Como.
No.
2
Element Description
Popeye Creek Settling Pond Popeve Stream Corridor
No.
7
'
Element Description
East Surge Channel Como Outlet Channel Como Drainage Outlet #E
Element Description
Casey Place Bedload Mgmt Area Water Quality Source Control Inter-Watershed Flow Control
1 . Booth Creek Diversion
8 9
10
3
4
15
16
I Popeye Drainage Outlet # I I

Popeye Drainage Outlet #2 PoDeve Drainage Outlet #3
' 1 Como Seasonal Flow Control I

Inter-Watershed Connection Como Drainage Outlet # I
I Booth Creek Daylighting
.I
11 12
17
Schoolhouse St Flood Protection
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER W G E M E N T PIAN
RELIEF AND HAENTAT RESTORATION IN THE PART A WRATEGY FOR FLOOD
FRASER MILLSLOWLANDS
F~NAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002
The decision analysis mat& that is presented in Appendix C complements Figure 4 2 and Table 4 1 with supporting details for each plan element, including:
+ Description of the element + Explanation of its function and related objectives + The advantages (pros) resulting from implementation + The disadvantages (cons) resulting from implementation
The plan is 'time-flexible'. Also, many of the elements can be implemented independently. The matrix was developed by means of a participatory approach to problem-solving that enabled the stakeholder group to brainstorm the pros and cons of each element.
4.3 Hydraulic Control Elevations

Figure 4 3 presents proposed control elevations for the purposes of surface water management in the Fraser Mills Lowlands. Good design practice results in these three guidelines: Maximum TWL Select a maximum allowable Top Water Level ( T W L ) .The challenge is to optimize this selection. This involves consideration of the tidal range in conjunction with culvert selection. Waterway width is of more relevance than height in maintaining a smooth flow transition from open channel to piped flow.
0
Culvert Rating Size waterway openings in roadways for 'zero surcharge'. Culvert capacity is sensitive to the configuration and condition of culvert entrances. Actual capacity will be noticeably less than theoretical. Hence, the importance of providing flow regulation to ensure a smooth transition from open channel to piped flow.
Tidal Impact Consider duration of Fraser River winter high tide range. For a maximum high tide, the available head for gravity discharge of streamflow to the Fraser is at a minimum for about one hour. Thereafter, the head increases incrementally as the tide drops. This relationship is tabulated on Figure 4 3 .
As shown on Figure 4 3 , the preferred culvert diameter for the two highway crossings is 1500mm. Considering the existing channel invert elevations, this establishes a desired TWL corresponding to El 2.5m at the Trans-Canada (and compares with El 4.0m that was used for the new battery of culverts). For a winter storm coincident with a high tide, the head available for gravity discharge to the Fraser is 0.6m when the tide is at its maximum.
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Divert Booth into Popeye.
Create new drainage outlet to sem Booth I Popeye tributary
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SURFACE WATER
Concept for Surface Water Management in ~ ~ ~ n E I s
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MAWAGEBENT PLAN
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Elements of an Integrated Plan for
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORFAWATER M A N A G E M E N T PIAN PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEFAND HABITAT RESTORATION IN M E FRASER MILLS LOWLANDS
FItW REPORT
FEBRUARY 2002
4.4 Flow Control at Trans-Canada Highway

Figure 4-4 is a schematic drawing that supplements Figure 4 2 in order to provide clarity. It illustrates the plan elements and flow paths at the Como and Popeye drainage outlets. Core elements are described below:
0
Popeye Creek Install batteries of 1500mm culverts under both the Lougheed and Trans-Canada, and construct a bridge under the railway. Connect to the existing Fraser River outlet.
Como Creek Isolate the Highway Channel Loop, and direct most flows to the new battery of 1200mm culverts. Maintain an 'inter-watershed connection' to Popeye Creek.
Implementation of all elements would enable a 50/50 flow split between the Como/McDonald and Booth/Popeye sub-watersheds, thereby achieving the flood relief goal. This compares with the existing 80/20 split. Hydraulic modelling is an essential element of the 'flow control system'. Permanent data loggers to record water levels at culverts are needed for model calibration, verification and validation. Monitoring culvert performance will result in a measurement-based understanding of flow dynamics under flood conditions. This will provide a high degree of certainty.
4.5 Integration with Uplands Strategy

The Lowlands Strategy has been developed in the context of a holistic framework that considers the inter-relationship of the Lowlands Plan Elements with an Uplands Strategy. It is recognized that upstream actions have downstream consequences (or benefits). This understanding will be integrated in Part B when developing the elements of the 50-Year Vision for the entire watershed.
hoking ahead, if changes in the land use regulatory framework can be successfully
implemented to partially restore the natural hydrology in the upper watershed, then:
+ Runoff frequency and magnitude can be reduced + The risk of flood overflows in the lowlands can be reduced + Erosion of the ravines and sedimentationin the lowlands can be minimized + Aquatic habitat can be improved
4.6 Popeye Creek Stream Corridor Restoration
Policies and programs that demonstrate early success in achieving watershed goals build support for the 50-year vision to improve watershed conditions.
Acquiring right-of-access to a corridor between Brunette and Lougheed would provide the opportunity to restore a natural stream system for greenway purposes. This could become the 'crown jewel' of the Integrated Plan. The corridor components would likely include a 'MAFway' (i.e. a channel sized for the Mean Annual FZood), spawning and rearing habitat, a floodplain for bank overflow, a riparian floodplain forest, and a park trail.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENTPIAN
P A R T A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION I N THE
FRASER MILLS LOWLANDS
FINA~REPORT FEBRUARY 2002
Property redevelopment may provide. opportunities to acquire land for the corridor. Since corridor restoration would be a benefit to the entire Como watershed, a watershedbased drainage utility may be an appropriate vehicle to fund an implementation plan. Having such a utility would also facilitate a watershed approach to providing habitat compensation and/ or mitigation for other projects within the watershed.
4.7 Capital Cost Estimates

Table 4-1 presents Class B capital cost estimates for the seventeen (17)plan elements. Ten (10) are classified as core. The other seven (7) are considered optional. The budget items are summarized in terms of three time-frames as follows:
TIME-FRAME
1
I
Core
BUDGET
Oational
Total
All of the 17 plan elements will result in improve drainage and/or habitat conditions in the Lowlands (as described in Table 4-l), but the Plan does not rise or fall on any one element. The core plan elements are considered more beneficial, and thus, higher priority than the optional elements. The 20-Year Plan covers the projects to be undertaken in years 6 through 20; while the 50Year Plan covers years 21 through 50. The core elements account for 70% of the total cost.
4.8 2002 Action Plan

Background
This section presents an Action Plan that f u l f i l s these three over-aching objectives:
Objective #1-Demonstrate that the City is taking immediate action
0
Objective #3 - Develop a measurement-based model of watershed response to rainfall

Objective #2 Provide improved flow management at the Trans-Canada Highway
Table 4-2 identifies ten (10) priority action items that are straightforward to initiate and/or implement t h i s year. The 2002 Action Plan represents the first phase in a systematic process to resolve existing system deficiencies. The budget estimates are extracted from Table 4-1 and total $460,000. This represents approximately 27% of the overall allocation for the 5-Year Plan.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORFdWAlER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION I N THE
FRASER MILLSLOWLANDS
FINALREPORT
FEBRUARY 2002
Plan Components
Each project in the 2001 Action Plan is cross-referenced to an element in the Integrated Plan that was presented in Table 41. The proposed projects are classified into three types: Flood Relief ($lW,OOO) Flow Management ($260,000) {{Note: Directly supports the flood relief component]] Environmental Management ($75,000) The projects are listed in order-of-priority for implementation. Furthermore, management objectives are identified, the project scope is described, and the 'level of effort to implement' is assessed on a lo.w/medium/high rating scale. The first seven are core elements of the Integrated Lowlands Plan.
Flood Relief
Removal of the private bridge at Lucille S t a r r Drive, combined with reactivation of the Booth-to-Popeye flow connection above Sheridan, would immediately and considerably lessen the risk of flood overflows onto Schoolhouse Street.
Flow Management
A water level monitoring system at the Trans-Canada Highway culverts wiU provide a science-based understanding of exactly what happens during periods of heavy rainfall coincident with high levels in the Fraser River. The data can then be incorporated in the hydraulic model so that it can then be used as an operations tool.
Upgrading the two existing steamflow gauging stations will resolve quality control concerns related to data collection. These stations are critical in terms of first calibrating and validating the hydrology model, and then providing a second tool for effective surface water management. In addition, the stations 'and model provide the means for monitoring long-term changes in watershed response to rainfall.
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COMOCREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER M A N A G E M E N T PUN PART A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND M I T A T RESTORATION IN THE
FRASER MILLS LOWLANDS
CHAPTER 5
Integration of Lowlands and Uplands Strategies

5.1 Summary of Flood Mitigation for the Lowlands
Part A of the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan was prepared as an Interim Report to satisfy the City's need for immediate solutions to flooding problems in the Fraser Mills Lowlands. Key findings relating to flood mitigation in the Lowlands are: Consequences of Changes in Land Use The Como Creek watershed has undergone almost complete urbanization, resulting in more surface runoff. The Trans-Canada Highway is a barrier that restricts the rate of outflow to the Fraser River. Redevelopment of the Fraser Mills Lowlands to higher value commercial land use has resulted in 'zero tolerance' for disruption of public access due to road corridor closures that are caused by flood overflows. Critical Locations in the Lowlands Conditions in 2001 are considerably improved over those in 1975, and flooding frequency has been reduced, but the relatively few problem locations can be characterized as chronic. The two most critical locations are the private bridge on Booth Creek at Lucille S t a r r Drive, and the culverts under the Trans-Canada Highway. Impact of Threshold Events A 25mm rainstorm results in channel 'bank full' conditions throughout the lowlands. A 75mm event results in bank overflows at the Booth Creek private bridge. The storm of record is 134mm.It is therefore apparent that the bridge should be removed, and that partial removal of the Upper Booth flow (to the Popeye drainage system) would provide permanent flood relief downstream from Lucille S t a r r Way. Watershed Vision The concept for surface water management in the Fraser Mills Lowlands is to consider the watershed as two halves (i.e. Como/McDonald, and Booth/Popeye), and restore separate drainage outlets. The concept is keyed to making effective use of the existing Inky-Watershed Connection between Booth and Popeye. This would enable a 50/50 flow split between the-two watershed halves, as compared with the existing 80/20 split for Como/McDonald/Booth versus Popeye. Elements of an Integrated Plan The over-arching goals of an integrated plan for the Fraser Mills Lowlands are to provide flood relief and restore aquatic habitat. The plan comprises 17 elements, many of which can be implemented independently over a 50year period.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R T A STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND M I T A T RESTORATION IN THE
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2002 Action Plan
Removal of the private bridge at Lucille Starr Drive, combined with reactivation of the Booth-to-Popeye flow connection above Sheridan, would immediately and considerably lessen the risk of flood overflows onto Schoolhouse Street. Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling tools will take on added importance once the focus shifts to the functional planning and design of surface water management facilities. Hence, rainfall-runoff data collection is essential for model calibration and validation. [The total capital cost for the short-term flood mitigation projects over the next 5 years is $ 1 . 7m i l l i o n , of which 27% is allocated to priority projects for 20011.
5.2 Land Use and Aquatic System Overview

Background
The key objective of the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan is to achieve a balance between the immediate need for hazard mitigation (the focus in Part A) and the longerterm desire for watershed restoration (the focus in Part B). This requires full integration of the engineering, planning and ecological perspectives to solve short-term flooding and habitat challenges, as well as determinehow to implement changes in land use regulation that improve watershed conditions. Policies and programs that demonstrate early success in achieving watershed goals build support for the 50-year vision.
Existing Aquatic Resources

Figure 5-1 provides an overview of existing aquatic resources in the Como Watershed. It shows the major environmental values and limitations in the watershed, and classifies the creek reaches. Four functional types are defined: estuarine, lower floodplain, upper floodplain, and upland. Fundamental questions to be addressed in Part B are:
+ What may be achievable for the Como watershed? + What is a realistic watershed restoration strategy?
Figure 5-2 provides a regional context for the Como Watershed. It shows that the Como Watershed is rated as 'poor' according to the Watershed Health Classification System developed by the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). To improve the health of watercourse in the Como Watershed, either the total impervious area (TIA) that contributes surface runoff must be decreased, or the riparian forest integrity (RFI)must be increased. The latter is defined as the percentage of continuous forest cover within a 60m riparian corridor. The best opportunity for acquiring a riparian corridor to restore a natural stream system (i.e. increasing RFI) is Popeye Creek between Brunette and Lougheed.. This stream corridor and riparian floodplain forest could become the 'crown jewel' of the Como Watershed.
Part B focuses on identdymg opportunities to reduce TIA that contributes surface runoff in conjunctionwith future land use changes.
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FISH HABITAT VALUES AND CONSTRAINTS
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COMO CREEK lNlEGRATED %ORWATER h!ANAGEMENT PUN P A R TA STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RELIEF AND HABITAT RESTORATION M THE
FRASER Mius LOWWCDS
FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL W O R T
Limiting Factors for the Health of Aquatic Resources

Current research shows that the factors limiting the ecological values of urban streams and waterways are, in order-of-priority:
1) Changes in Hydrology
greater volume and rate of surface runoff caused by increased impervious area in the watershed. areas
2 ) Disturbances to the Riparian Corridor

3) Degradation of Aquatic Habitat
4)
- clearing of natural vegetation in riparian
caused by erosion and sedimentation processes, bank hardening, and removal of large organic debris. Deterioration of Water Quality pollutant washoff from high density land uses, waste discharge from commercial operations and accidental spills.
Note that the top two limiting factors, changes in hydrology and disturbances to the riparian corridor, correspond to the two components of the GVRD Watershed Health Classifcution System. Changes in hydrology are particularly important because they drive the erosion and sedimentation processes that lead to the third limiting factor, degradation of aquatic habitat.
from land use densification (i.e. changes in hydrology) would have already flushed out . thehabitat. The number one priority of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Drap Urban Sfomwater Guidelines is nmoflvolume reduction, which is the key to mitigating changes in hydrology at the source. This is a key focus for Part B.
By the time land use density reaches the level where water quality degradation is a sigmficant factor in terms of f i s h survivability, the increase in surface runoff resulting
Land Use Policies and Regulations

Restoring watershed hedth by decreasing TIA/ increasing the RFI can only be achieved over time (i.e. the 50-year vision) through changes in land use policies and regulations. Appendix D contains the results of a review of current bylaws. The scope of the review was three-fold:
+ Present a synopsis of what is existing
-3 I d e n w strengths and opportunities for improvement Assess risks and issues that might affect the future of the watershed
Appendix D provides the foundation for the development of a land use and development strategy in Part B. This strategy will address the regulatory framework as one component of the implementationstrategy for the Watershed Management Plan, to be used in balance with public awareness and capital works programs.
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PART B
for Flood Risk Management and Watershed Restoration in the Como Uplands
.
Chapter 6 Management Strategy for the Como Uplands
CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PA R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 6
Management Strategy for the Como Uplands

6.1 Problem Statement
Prior to the 1990s watershed management typically meant mitigating the downstream consequences of changes in upstream land use. .The focus was on hydrotechnical solutions such as such as watercourse stabilization, with the approach to problem solving being generally reactive rather than proactive.
In recent years a more integrated, proactive approach to watershed management has evolved. This approach focuses on source control strategies that eliminate the primary balance resulting causes of problems within the watershed, particularly the changes in ~uater from land development.
While reactive solutions are still needed to provide immediate flaod relief, long-term . watershed restoration requires proactive solutions that eliminate the root cause of watershed problems.
Root Cause of Watershed Problems

The natural water balance of the Como Uplands has been dramatically altered by urban development:
W h e n natural forest is replaced w i t h roads and buildings, less rainfall infiltrates into the ground, less gets taken up h j vegetation, and more becomes surface runoff.
This is the root cause of drainage-related problems in the Como watershed, such as erosion of the Como Creek Ravine and chronic flooding in the Lowlands.
Past development in the Como Watershed occurred in the absence of an appropriate strategy to deal with these problems. The City recognizes that the same pattern cannot be repeated with future re-development.
The Future of the Como Watershed

Another 20,000 people may need to be accommodated in Southwest Coquitlam over the next 50 years. Potentially half may choose to settle in the Como watershed. This would increase the current population of the watershed by about 50% (from 20,000 to 30,000 residents). Accommodating this growth will trigger subdivision and re-development, which can be expected to increase impervious area. Without an appropriate retrofit strategy, future densification will create more surface runoff, which will worsen existing problems and continue to create new problems.
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PA R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERsHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
FINAL REPORT FE~RUARY 2002
However, future re-development also provides the opportunity to eliminate the source of existing problems. This will require a watershed retrofit strategy aimed at restoring the natural water balance of the Como Uplands as re-development occurs.
A retrofit strategy for the Uplands is needed to support the over-arching goals that have been defined in Part A for the Lowlands: to provide immediate flood relief, and to restore aquatic habitat over the long-term.
Summary of Current Problems

D u r i n g storm events three of the Citys eight drainage crews are required to deal with high-risk flooding locations in the Como Watershed.
ComolMacDonaldSub-watershed
The primary problem in the Como sub-watershed is the continuing erosion of the Como Creek Ravine, particularly the section between Austin and Rochester, as illustrated below.
This erosion degrades aquatic habitat, increases flooding risk, and is the direct cause of many specific drainage-related problems that were identified in Figure 2-1:
Ravine instability and tree falls (problem #3) Bedload deposition and buildup increases the risk of culvert blockage (problem # 1,4,5 and 6)
Figure 6-1 Typical Stream Bank Erosion in the Como Creek Ravine
l l the flow from the Como Uplands is currently Another sigruficant problem is that a directed into the lower part of Como Creek, which results in a convoluted drainage pattern and increases the risk of flooding in the lowlands.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
BoothlPopeye Sub=Watershed
The main problem in the Booth sub-watershed is the chronic flooding of Booth Creek at Schoolhouse Street (problem #lo, Figure 2-1). Removal of the private bridge crossing would sigruficantlyreduce the risk of flooding at this location. Erosion is occurring in the Booth Creek ravine, although it is not as apparent as in Como Creek. There is evidence that bedload deposition and debris movement in the Booth Creek system increases the risk of localized flooding. During the Dec. 15,1999 flood for example, the blockage of a diversion culvert led to flooding of private property (problem #7,Figure 2-1). Although the Booth Creek Ravine appears to be stable, t h i s may not be the case over the long-term. Much of the Upper Booth Watershed was recently connected to storm sewers, and the impact of increased runoff into Booth Creek may not yet have progressed to the same stage as Como Creek.
6.2. Identifying Solutions to the Erosion Problem

Nature of the Erosion Problem
Watercourse erosion is a natural process. It occurs whenever the s t r e a d o w velocity exceeds a threshold level that causes sediment and bedload transport. However, the increase in surface runoff associated with development in the Como Uplands has dramatically increased erosion, far above natural levels. The increase in surface runoff means that a greater proportion of every rainfall event contributes to streamflow in downstream watercourses, which results i n :
=
greater total flow volumes greater peak flow rates
Therefore, streamflow velocities are much larger than they were under natural conditions, and velocities remain high for longer periods of time. Frequently occurring small rainfall events that did not cause erosion prior to development now produce streamflows that exceed the critical threshold erosive velocity. The increase in erosion has serious consequences:
.
=
Degradation or elimination of aquatic and riparian habitat. Destabilization of ravine banks, which causes trees and other debris to fall into the streams. Downstream deposition of sediment and debris, which increases flooding risk.
Short Term Erosion Control

The short-term reactive approach to erosion control would involve a ravine stabilization program. Much of the Como Creek ravine would have to be lined with rip-rap to prevent
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORhWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN RISK MANAGEMENT AND PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD WATERSHE0 RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
further downcutting and undermining of ravine slopes. Eventually, this might also be required in the Booth Creek ravine. Ravine stabilization is a "band-aid solution that does not address the root of the erosion problem. It is considered an unacceptable approach for a number of reasons:
0
Cost the cost of ravine stabilization would be very high. equipment.
Not practical there is currently no access to the Como Creek ravine for construction
Eliminates the possibility of watershed restoration the disturbances to fish habitat and the riparian corridor would be dramatic and irreversible.
Nobody wants this -the senior environmental Agencies and a majority of community residents would oppose it.
Partid erosion control can also be provided in the short-term by building community stormwater detention facilities that control the rate of runoff from the Como Uplands. This is a partial solution because it does not reduce total runoff volume.
Long-Term Erosion Control

The proactive approach to erosion control is to eliminate the causes: Reduce total runoff volume - eliminate the surface runoff from small, frequently occurring rainfall events.
=
Reduce peak runoff rates - reduce the rate of runoff from large rainfall events to approximate the response of a natural forested watershed.
These become the key objectives of a Watershed Retrofit Strategyfir the Como Uplands. As re-development occurs, the watershed can be retrofitted with source control facilities designed to: = Store runoff from impervious surfaces and release it at a controlled rate = Infiltrate small storms into the ground.
This is a long-term solution. Erosion rates will decline incrementally as the natural water balance is restored in conjunction with re-development over the next 50 years.
Watershed retrofit is an essential component of a long-term watershed restoration strategy. Watercourse erosion must be reduced to natural levels in order to restore the health of the Como watershed.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENTAND IN THE COMO UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
6.3 Identifying Solutions to the Flooding Problem

Nature of the Flooding Problem
The increase in surface runoff from the Como Uplands results in downstream peak flows. that are much higher than peak flows from a natural forested watershed. The stomwater system that was built to convey these large peak flows is inadequate. There are certain components of t h i s system where there is high risk of flow obstruction resulting in flooding. These components include: High-risk culverts that are vulnerable to blockage, localized flooding and potentially disastrous consequences (e.g. road washout) The private bridge on Booth Creek near SchoolhouseSt.
A convoluted drainage system in the lowlands, which is a result of all the watershed
runoff being directed into the lower part of Como Creek. Erosion has a big impact on the risk of flooding. Continuing erosion in the upper watershed causes bedload deposition and debris movement, which increases the risk of flooding in the lowlands. This increased flooding risk is a result of
=
A constantly decreasing flow capacity of lowland channels caused by bedload
deposition and buildup. culverts and storm sewer outfalls becoming blocked with debris or bedload buildup.
Short Term Flood Control

There is a need for immediate flood relief in the Como Watershed. The risk of flooding can be reduced in the short-term by modifying the existing stormwater system to:
0 0
upgrade high-risk flooding locations (e.g. culverts that are vulnerable to blockage) reduce bedload and debris transport from the Upland Ravines divert peak flows away from high-risk flooding locations (e.g. Booth Creek at schoolhouse) reduce the peak runoff rates from the Como Uplands, thus reducing downstream peak flows.
Long-Term Flood Control

These short term flood risk management options are all partial solutions (i.e. risk reduction) that deal with the consequences of water balance changes in the Uplands. The complete solution is to implement a Waterslzed Xetrofif Strategy that restores the natural water balance in the long-term, thus reducing peak flows to natural levels and eliminating the root cause of flooding. Until this complete solution is achieved the risk of flooding will remain.
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS

The preferred management approach for the Como Watershed is to eliminate the causes of problems, and not just deal with the consequences. The stormwater management strategy for the Como Uplands has two key components:
0
The Complete Solution: Long-Term Watershed Restoration - Implement a watershed retrofit strategy in conjunction with future redevelopment to restore the natural water balance of the Como Uplands and reduce watercourse erosion to natural levels. The Partial Solution: Short-term Flood Risk Management - Implement modifications to the existing stormwater system to reduce the risk of flooding.
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Details of both components are provided in the chapters that follow. Implementation of both will result in an integrated solution to erosion, flooding,and aquatic habitat issues.
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Chapter 7 Long-Term Watershed Restoration
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN

P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 7
Long-Term Watershed Restoration

7.1 The Water Balance Approach
Achieving long-term restoration of the Como Watershed'requires a retrofit strategy to restore the natural water balance of the Como Uplands and thereby reduce watercourse erosion to natural levels. The key objectives of a retrofit strategy for the Como Uplands are:
Flow Volume Reduce runoff volume to prevent erosion and support baseflow Flow Rate Slow down the rate of runoff to prevent erosion and flooding
Components of an Integrated Strategy

These volume and rate objectives form the basis for a water balance approach to watershed management, which has two components: and restore them to their natural hydrologic pathways (i.e. runoff volume reduction). This means that small rainfall events, which account for the bulk of the annual rainfall volume, should be infiltrated into the ground and/or reused within the watershed.
Rainfall Capture Capture the frequently occurring small rainfall events at the source
Runoff Control Detain runoff from larger rainfall events and release it under controlled conditions (i.e. runoff rate control). The rate of release should approximate a natural forested condition.
Understanding Runoff Control versus Rainfall Capture

Runoff control without rainfall capture is the conventional detention-based approach to stormwater management. Evidence shows that this approach does not protect downstream fish habitat because it does not maintain natural levels of erosion or support baseflows in watercourses. The water released from conventional detention storage goes directly to a storm sewer or downstream watercourses. This slows down the water and reduces peak runoff rates, but does little to reduce total runoff volume. Therefore, the impact of extreme runoff peaks is reduced, but runoff is spread out over a longer period o f time, which results in erosive streamflows for longer periods of time.
Rainfall capture requires storage at the source, where runoff from impervious surfaces is stored and infiltrated into the ground rather than released directly to surface drainage systems. This reduces runoff volume and supports stream baseflow by partially restoring the natural water balance.
Community storage facilities that serve sub-catchments of the watershed do not provide the opportunity for infiltration at the source.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THECOMO UPLANDS
The Importance of Rainfall Capture for Water Quality Rainfall capture is important for improving water quality as well as reducing runoff volume. The objective of rainfall capture is to infiltrate small storms and the first portion of large storms at the source. This means that the first flush of pollutants that get washed off impervious surfaces at the beginning of rainfall events will be treated as they infiltrate into the ground. In the process of mitigating changes in hydrology, the wafer balance approach a l s o addresses water quality issues.
Opportunity for Watershed Retrofit

The opportunity to retrofit individualbuilding lots and roads with storage and infiltration facilities will arise as re-development occurs within the watershed. Most buildings in the a l f are more than 40 Como watershed are more than 25 years old, and approximately h years old. The Como population is, on average, slightly older t h a n the remainder of the City. These statistics indicates that there could be substantial re-development in the 5-25 year timeframe, and that the watershed will be approaching complete re-development in the 25-50 year timeframe.
This re-development will provide a real opportunity to restore the health of the Como Watershed over the next 50 years. In order to enable t h i s long-fern watershed restoration, it is essentid to build support within the development community and to make the appropriate changes to the Citys development regulations in the shod-fern.
Without these short-term changes, the opportunity for long-term restoration will slip away. Watershed degradation will continue to worsen and signhcant capital expenditures and staff maintenance time will be required to deal with the consequences.
7.2 Adaptive Approach to Watershed Retrofit

The changes in development practices that will enable source storage retrofit cannot happen overnight. They must be phased in incrementally through a &step adaptive approach, which is summarized below.
Adpative Methodology for Watershed Retrofit
o Step 1 - Establish preliminary targets for rainfall capture and runoff control based siteo Step 2 - Validate the preliminary targets using continuous simulation modelling. o Step 3 Implement and monitor the performance of pilot projects on public works to
refine storage and infiltration targets and to iden* achieving these targets. specific rainfall data.
the best design practices for
o Step 4
Incorporate targets and design practices into development regulations through a consultation process with developers and landowners.
o Step 5 Assess how well the watershed retrofit strategy restores natural water balance over time. o Step 6 Refine targets and design practices based on the ongoing assessment process.
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COMOCREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER M A N A G E M E N T PLAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEblENT AND

WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COW0 UPLANDS
This report focuses on Steps 1 and 2, which are the preliminary planning level steps. Steps 3 and 4 refer to the process of change that must take place in the short-term to enable long-term watershed retrofit. Steps 5 and 6 will evolve as redevelopment occurs and the performance of the retrofit strategy can be assessed and optimized.
7.3 Step 1 Preliminary Targets for Rainfall Capture and Runoff Control
Site-Specific Rainfall Characteristics
The longest running rainfall gauge operated by the GVRD is located in the Como Watershed, at the location of the old City Hall building. 42 years of hourly rainfall data is available from t h i s station (1959 to present). Having long-term rainfall data has enabled a science-based approach to establishing prelimrnary targets for runoff control and rainfall capture. Analysis of the rainfall data from the Como Watershed shows that, in an meruge yeur:
= =
there is a total of about 1500 mm of rainfall. the largest daily rainfall depth is about 60 mm. This corresponds to the mean annual rainfall (MAR) for a 24-hr duration.
= It rains on about 180 days.of the year (about every second day on average).
Figure 7-1 shows the distribution of the 180 annual rainfall events in the Como Watershed. This figure separates the annual rainfall events into three categories:
Tier @ Events - The 172 s m a l l rainfall events that are less t h a n half the size of a MAR (i.e. less t h a n 30 mm). Tier C Events The 7 large rainfall events that are greater than half the size of a MAR, but smaller than a MAR (between 30 mm and 60 mm).
= Tier D Events
- The one extreme rainfall event exceeding a MAR (greater than 60 mm) that may occur in a given year.
These tiers become the building blocks of an integrated strategy for managing the complete spectrum of rainfall events. The components of t h i s strategy are summarized in Table 7-1and illustrated i n Figure 7-2. The conventional detention-based approach to stormwater management focuses onZy on managing the Tier C and D events. The water balance approach extends the management focus to include the small Tier A/B events, which account for 90% of the annual rainfall events.
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COMO CREEK lNTEGRATE0STORMWATER W G E M E W Pl AW PART STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPlANDS
Fi~p REPORT l FEBRUARY 2002
TABLE 7-1
Components of an Integrated Strategy for Managing the Complete Spectrum of Rainfall

1. Rainfall Capture to Manage the Small Tier AIB Rainfall Events Figure 7-4shows that the small Tier A/B rainfall events account for about 80% of the
total annual rainfall volume. Therefore, the key to runofvu2ume reduction is infiltrating the runoff f r o m rooftops and paved surfaces resulting from the small Tier A/B rainfall events. This can be accomplished through the following source storage retrofits: - On-lot Drainage Modifications flier A): Retrofit individual building lots with facilities to capture and infiltrate the small storm runoff from rooftops and driveways. - Road Drainaae Modifications (Tier B ) : Retrofit road right-of ways to capture and infiltrate the small storm runoff from the paved roadway.
The distinction is made between Tier A and Tier B because the specific strategies available for retrofitting building lots are very different from the strategies for roads (as discussed in Section 10). The opportunity to retrofit individual building lots will arise as re-development occurs on a lot by lot basis, however, road retrofit will likely have to be done in conjunction with larger scale neighbourhood redevelopment.
2. Runoff Control to Manage the Large Tier C Rainfall Events

The runoff resulting from the large Tier C events causes the most sigruficant peak flows in downstream watercourses. Therefore, the key to mnof rate confro2 is storing the runoff from impervious surfaces resulting from the large Tier C rainfall events and releasing it at a controlled rate. This controlled release will eliminate the "spikes" that characterize the rapid response of the existing drainage system. Storage capacity for large storms can be provided by:
Designing the retrofit facilities for building lots and roads (Tier A and 8 ) with enough capacity to store the runoff resulting from Tier C storms. Providing large community storage facilities forsub-catchmentso f the watershed
3. Hood Risk Management for the Extreme Tier D Rainfall Events

The runoff resulting from the extreme Tier D storms causes the greatest risk of flooding. Downstream creek channels and culverts must have sufficient capacity to contain and convey flood flows resulting from very large'storms (e.g the 100-yr storm), without resulting in threats to public safety or property damage. Options for flood risk Management are discussed in Chapter 8.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER W G E M E N T PIAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKb G E M E N T AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL REPORT
The following characteristics of Tier A/B rainfall events make them manageable for infiltration at the source: The majority are very small rainfall events The top portion of Figure 7-3 shows that 85%of Tier A/B rainfall events result in less than 15 mm of rainfall. They have low-intensity rainfall - The bottom portion of Figure 7-3 shows that the majority of Tier A/B events have an average intensity of less than 1mm/hr, and even the largest (25 to 30 mm) have an average intensity of less than 2 =/hour.
Consistency with Federal Fisheries Guidelines

The strategy for managing the complete spectrum of rainfall events is consistent with the u i d e l i n e s developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. These new Urban Stomwater G Guidelines are based on the following priorities (in order):
1. Runoff Volume Reduction
2 . Water Quality Improvement

3. Runoff Rate Control
The most important component of the strategy for managing the complete spectrum of rainfall events is ruinfill capture (incorporates DFO priorities #1 and #2 above), followed by runoflcontrol (priority #3 above). The Federal Guidelines state that runoff volumes from the 6-month/24-hour rainfall event areto captured and infiltrated where possible. This corresponds to the Tier A/B events (less than 50% of the MAR). A &month storm is a somewhat abstract concept. It is more practical to reference rainfall tiers to the Mean Annual Rainfall (MAR).
Regional Criteria for Runoff Rate Control

The Brunette River Basin Plan was an inter-agency and inter-municipal pilot process for consensus-based watershed planning in the Greater Vancouver Region. The Plan a r t i d t e s a vision, goals and objectives for watersheds in the Brunette Basin. The City of Coquitlam is signatory to the Brunette Plan. The Stoney Creek subwatershed strategy was the pilot within a pilot. Its purpose w a s to test the principles of a watershed-bused approach to integrating stormwater and riparian corridor management. The Stoney Creek process resulted in a philosophy and in hydrologic criteria for watershed restoration over a 50-year timeline. The following h i s process: regional criteria for detention storage sizing were identified through t
Parameter Input Hydrograph Release Rate
Parameter Value for Re-development Areas

~~~~
2-Yr Rainfall Event (R2),and the runoff pattern associated with the watershed response for the post-developmentland use condition
50% of the 2-Yr Event ((2,) peak flow associated with the watershed response for a single family residential land use condition
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COMO CREEK lNTEGRATED STORMWATER W G E M E N T PUN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKb G E M E H C AND IN THE COW0 UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
These regional criteria for runojf control must coeidered in the context of site-specific conditions and data. RainfalZ capture must also be integrated into the storage concept by establishing targets for infiltrating the runoff from rooftops, driveways and roads.
Storage Volume
Based on the regional criterion defined above, enough storage volume would have to be provided to capture the runoff from a 2-yr rainfall event, which is roughly equivalent to a mean annual rainfall (MAR). This storage volume would provide runoff control for a l l Tier C rainfall events.
This is an appropriate storage volume target hecause the runoff resulting from a MAR corresponds approximately to a mean annual flood (MAF) in downstream watercourses, which is an important parameter for watercourse protection. The cross-section of stream channels tends to reach equilibrium with the MAF. Runoff from impervious surfaces in the Como Uplands causes the MAF in Como Creek and Booth Creek to be much higher than it was under natural conditions. The result is channel instability.
By providing enough storage capacity to detain the runoff from a MAR, all streamflow h a n uncontrolled events in an average year would be the result of controZZed release rather t runof. As a result, the MAF in downstream watercourseswould be much closer to that of
a natural watershed and the stream channels should stabilize over time.
600 m 3 of storage volume per impervious hectare would be required to detain the MAR with a 24hr duration (6Omm). This storage volume is conservative from a watercourse protection perspective. While a shorter duration rainfall may actually govern the MAF peak rate, providing storage for a long duration rainfall (i.e. 24hour rainfall) results in a larger storage volume.
Release Rate
The regional release rate criterion defined thropugh the Brunette process is based on the objective of mitigating the effects of re-development by at least maintaining existing conditions in stream corridors.
This objective is not appropriate for the Como Watershed because stream corridors are
currently subject to sigruficant erosion and do not support aquatic ecosystems. Given the 50-yr timeframe for the Watershed Vision, the regional release rate criterion for new development areas would be more appropriate for the Como Watershed:
50% of the 2-Yr Event (02) peak flow associated with the watershed response for forested condition.
a natural
This criterion is referenced to ~ t ~ rforested a l conditions rather than single family residential, and is based on the objective of improving watershed conditions, which is an important objective for the Como Watershed
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER M A N A G E M E N T
PART B STRAEGY FOR FLOOD RISKhhNAGEMENT AND WAlERsHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPWCDS
PLAN
Figure 7-5 shows the estimated annual water balance for the Como Uplands under a natural forested condition. Note that there is virtually no surface surface runoff. The only source of streamflow in downstream watercourses is interflow, the portion of rainfall that o i l and travels laterally through the upper soil horizons u n t i l it is infiltrates into the s intercepted by a stream channel. Under natural forested conditions, is approximately equal to the interflow from a 2year rainfall event (RZ), which is approximately 60 mm per day:
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Natural forested Q = 45% of 60 rmn per day = 27 mm per day
This is roughly equivalent to the channel forming MAF under natural forested conditions.
Release rate can now be defined based on the above estimate of t h i sparameter.
>
Release rate = 50%of the natural forested Q = 14 mm per day
This correspondsto flow rate of 1 . 6Lps per hectare of drainage area.
Note that t h i s is a preliminary release rate estimate. It is important to ensure that the rate of release from storage will maintain streamflow velocities below the threshold level that e f i n i n gt h i s threshold for any watercourse causes signtficant watercourse erosion. D requires an analysis of its erosion and sediment transport characteristics. There is currently no data available on the sediment transport characteristics of the watercourses within the Como watershed. Therefore, a research program to better understand erosion in the watershed is needed to validate the prelminary release rate estimate defined above.
Note: Ifstorage targets were selected based on a single rainfall event, then the 14 mm/day release rate would be subtracted from the MAR (60 mdday) to reduce the storage volume criterion to 460 m3/ha. However, evaluation of continuous rainfall patterns shows that large rainfall events ofen follow extended wet weather periods, and therefore, it is likely that a portion of the storage capacity will be full when a large rainfall event occurs. Retaining the larger 600 m3/ha storage critm'on builds redundancy into the storagefunction to account for this.
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Preliminary Runoff Control Targets for a Typical Lot

Based on the storage and release rate criteria defined above, a typical 8,000 square foot lot with 40% impervious cover would be required to:
0
Provide 18 m 3 of storage volume Release t h i swater from storage at a rate of 0.12litres per second.
These criteria can be refined through the implementation of pilot projects, and by monitoring the effectivenessof the watershed retrofit strategy over time.
Preliminary Rainfall Capture Targets

Recent research from Waskgton State shows that: watercourses start to become degraded when total watershed imperviousnessexceeds 10% most urban watersheds may be unable to sustain abundant self-supporting populations of cold water fish when imperviousness exceeds 30%.
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COMO CREEK lNTEGRATE0 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

P A R T 6 STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKb G E M E N T AND
WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
FEBRUARY 2002
F I N A L REPORT
Figure 7-6illustrates these thresholds. Note that the benthic index of biotic integrity, a key indicator of creek health, declines below a critical threshold (30)when the percentage of impervious cover in the watershed rises above 10%. Currently, about 37%of the Como Uplands is impervious area, which is reflected by the degraded state of its creeks. The total impervious area (TIA) of the Como Watershed is likely to increase through future re-development (see Chapter 10). However, the eficfizw impervious urea (EM) of the watershed can be reduced over time by disconnecting impervious surfaces (EIA is a measure of impervious area that is directly connected to the drainage system). This can be accomplished by capturing and infiltrating runoff from. impervious surfaces.
An important target for restoring the health of creeks in the Como Watershed is to restore the rainfall-runoff response of the watershed when it had less t h a n 10%impervious cover (i.e. reduce EIA to less than 10%). One way to accurately determine t h i s historical rainfallrunoff response is to build a calibrated hydrologic model of the Como Watershed. The rainfall and streamflow monitoring network needs to be expanded in order to develop a calibrate and validate a watershed model.
of the total rainfall volume became surface runoff (i.e. only impervious surfaces contributed surface runoff). This assumption is reasonable because there is virtually no surface runoff from a natural forested watershed, and much of the Como Watershed would still have been forested. Therefore an appropriate rainfall capture target for Como Watershed would be to reduce total runofi volume to 10% or less of total rainfall volume. This target could be achieved by:
When the Como Watershed was 10%impervious, it is reasonable to assume that only 10%
o Providing rainfall capture for all Tier A/Ei events - Retrofit building lots and roads
with facilities designed to infiltrate the impervious surface runoff resulting from Tier A/B rainfall events (< 30 mm). This would eliminate 80% of the total runoff volume from impervious surfaces.
o Ensuring that all pervious areas are designed to infiltrate
function as a natural forested watershed and produce no surface runoff. Providing 300 rnm of absorbent landscaped soil would eliminate virtually a l l of the runoff volume from pervious areas.
- Design pervious areas to
Assuming that future densification increases the imperviousness o f the Como watershed to 50%, the preceding measures would reduce the total runoff volume to about 10%of r o m the impervious h a l f of the watershed, and 0% total rainfall volume (i.e. 20% runoff f runoff from the pervious half).
Source storage facilities designed onZy fir ruinfill capture (i.e. runoff' volume reduction) would only have to be large enough to capture and infiltrate 30 mm of rainfall per day (300 m3 per impervious hectare).
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORWATER W G E M E N T PLAN P A R T 6 STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK W G E M E N T AND WATERSHED &!XORATlON IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Source storage facilities designedfor ruinfaZZ capture and nmoflcontrol would need twice as much storage capacity (600 m3 per impervious ha, as defined above). This would provide much improved runoff rate control, but little additional volume reduction benefit.
Infiltration Rate
The preliminary storage release rate of 14 mm per day, which was established based on
an estimate of interflow under natural forested conditions, would a l s o be an appropriate infiltration rate for source storage facilities. This corresponds to an infiltration rate of about 0.6 mm per hour, which would likely be feasible for most of the Como Uplands. For comparison purposes, the minimum acceptable infiltration rate for engineered soils in drainage field design is 25 l~un per hour. However, it is important to verlfy the feasibility of a 0.6 mm per hour infiltration rate through an analysis of hydrogeologic conditions in the Como Watershed and through the implementation of pilot projects. An analysis of hydrogeologic conditions is also needed to identdy areas within the watershed with physical constraints that could inhibit infiltration at the source (e.g. very shallow bedrock). Infiltration requirements can only apply to areas where it is feasible. Even though an infiltration rate of 14 mm per day is very small, it would exceed the rate of rainfall accumulation in source storage facilities, most of the time. As shown in Figure 7-3 the majority of Tier A/B events result in less than 14 mm per day of rainfall.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK hhNAGEMENTAND
WATERSHED RESTORATloN INTHE COMO UPLANDS
7.4 Step 2 Validation of Preliminary Rainfall Capture and Runoff Control Targets
Methodology for Continuous Simulation Modelling
A spreadsheet-based water balance model was used to test the performance of the prehunary targets for rainfall capture and runoff control, and to compare the effectiveness o f source storage with community storage (i.e. conventional stormwater detention). The model was set up for the upper portion of the Como Creek subwatershed, above the most eroded section of the Como Creek ravine (between Austin and Rochester).
The model tested the benefit of incrementally retrofitting a greater portion of the upper Como sub-watershed with source storage. The following assumptions applied to the portion of the watershed retrofitted with source storage:
600 m 3 of storage was provided per impervious hectare

m
The runoff accumulating in the lower half of the source storage facilities (i.e. the first 300 m3 per ha) was assumed to infiltrate into the ground at a rate of 14 -/day. This reflects the rainfall capture target of infiltrating Tier A/B rainfall events (less than 30 m m ) . The runoff accumulating in the lower half of the source storage facilities was assumed to release directly to the storm sewer system at a rate of 14 -/day.
Three different retrofit scenarios were tested:
o Scenario A No community storage
Scenario B - One Community Storage Facility - Como Lake (20,000 m3 of storage)
o Scenario C Two Community Storage Facilities - Como Lake (20,000 m3) and the Ravine below A u s t i n (13,000 m 3 )
Hourly rainfall data from 1999 was the input to the model, which provided a continuous simulation of the resulting water levels in both source storage facilities and community storage facilities. The model assumed a direct connection between the two storage components. The following components contributed to surface runoff into the Como Creek Ravine (below Austin): For sub-catchments without community storage
the direct runoff from impervious surfaces for the portion of the watershed without source storage. the overflow from source storage and the water released from source storage directly to the storm sewer system.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED~ORMWATER WGEMENTP L A N PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK W G E b l E N T AND
For sub-catchmentswith community storage the overflow and release from community storage (release at 14 mm per day).
Modelling Results
The effectiveness of incremental source storage retrofit (with and without community storage) w a s tested by running a continuous simulation for 1999, a wetter than average year with a rainfall event that was about 25% larger than a MAR (December 1 5 t h ) .
Effectiveness was measured by the following indicators:
0
Runoff Control Indicator Number runoff events exceeding a 'threshold for signtficant watercourse erosion'. For modelling purposes this threshold was defined as the amount of surface runoff resulting from a 25 mm rainfall event, under current unmitigated conditions. This threshold was selected because a 25 mm rainfall event has been observed to result in watercoursesflowing 'bankfull' in the Lowlands.
Rainfall Capture Indicator Total volume of runoff into the Como Creek Ravine.
Figure 7-7 demonstrates the following key findings:
> Source storage retrofit provides incremental runoff control and rainfall Capture - As more of the upper Como watershed becomes retrofitted with source
storage and infiltration, there is a proportional decline in the number of threshold runoff events and total runoff volume into Como Creek Ravine. When complete source storage retrofit is achieved in the long-term (50 years), threshold runoff events are eliminated and only about 20 % of the total volume of rain that falls on impervious surfaces contributes to runoff in the Como Creek Ravine.
> Community storage provides short-term runoff control but limited rainfall
Capture -Community storage facilities can reduce the number of threshold
streamflow events in the short term, but do not reduce the total volume of runoff into Como Creek Ravine.
the upper Como watershed becomes retrofitted with source storage, community storage facilities provide no additional benefit in terms of reducing the number of threshold events.
Community storage becomes redundant in the long-term - Once about 85% of
> The 600 m3 per ha storage volume criterion is conservative - Even though the
largest rainfall event in 1999 was about 25% larger than a MAR, there was very little overflow from source storage or community storage facilities.
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COMO CREEK hl'EGRATED &OWWATER h'lANAGEMENT PLAN
PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPlANDS
Fuwlhpm FEBRUARY 2002
7.5 Steps 3 and 4 Facilitating the Process of Change

The process of changing development regulations and moving towards a new 'standard practice' for urban design that incorporates stormwater source control will be challenging. This Section presents the key challenges associated with changing standard practice, followed by a summary of actions required to overcome these challenges. These actions are presented in Table 1 1 1 along with cost estimates and department t o take the lead role in implementing each action.
Challenges
1. Lack of Precedents - Stormwater source control requires a sigxuficant change in basic site design philosophy, from pipe and remove to captue and infiIfm2fe. There is a lack of h i s emerging design philosophy, which precedents to demonstrate the application of t
leads to uncertainty.
pin adaptive approach t o change is key to resolving t h i s uncertainty. Monitoring and evaluating the performance of Demonstration Projects will provide confidence in the new design approach. It will also provide the basis for optimizing stormwater system design to reduce costs while still achieving defined goals for protecting downstream property, aquatic habitat and receiving water quality.
.
2. Regulatory Barriers Certain development standards and regulations make it 'against the rules' to implement stormwater source controls.
These barriers need to be removed to enable low impact development practices. For example, bylaw or building code regulations that require roof leaders to connect to a storm sewer would have to be changed to allow infiltration of rooftop runoff at the source.
I I I I. I I D 1 1 1
3. Operation and Maintenance Responsibilities - Infiltration facilities require maintenance to ensure that they continue to function effectively over the long term. While City staff can operate and maintain community detention facilities and-certain types of source control facilities (e.g. infiltration facilities within road right-of-ways), many source control facilities are likely to be on private property (e.g. on-lot infiltration facilities).
Maintenance responsibility for these facilities shifts to individual landowners or strata corporations. In general, t h i s places a greater reliance on the conscientiousness of individuals, hence the need for education. There may be opportunities to implement City-maintained source control facilities through neighbourhood planning (e.g. infiltration facility within C i t y parks that serve multiple dwelling units).
4. Approval Process Discourages Innovation The development approval process is often

more difficult for development projects that incorporate innovative development practices, especially if these practices differ from a local government's development standards. This is a built in disincentive for developers wishing to deviate from the
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORbWATER W G E M E N T PUN PART B h T E G Y FOR FLOOD RISKfdANAGEMENl AND

WATERSHED RE!RORAnON IN THE COMO UPlANDS
status quo.
To provide an incentive, the approval process could be facilitated for projects that? incorporate innovative urban design and/or stormwater management practices (e.g. developments that capture rainfall at the source for infiltration and/or reuse).
5. Market Size - The present market for source control facilities (in North America) is
apparently too s m a l l to be economically efficient.
scale that make source control facilities more affordable.
Bull< purchases at the municipal level may be required to achieve initial economies of
Actions to Overcome Challenges

The following measures will help overcome the challenges described above, and facilitate the process of improving the standard practice of urban design and stomwater management:
1. Establish an enabling regulatory framework
Make regulatory changes that will facilitate the approval process for re-developments projects that incorporate source storage and infiltration. Some key changes in t h i s regard include: = providing an expedited approval process for developments that implement on-lot storage and infiltration, = removing existing regulatory barriers (e.g. bylaw requirements for roof drainage connection to storm sewers) = establishing a one-windod process for obtaining agency approval.
2. Establish monitoring programs for demonstration projects
- Install monitoring equipment and implement ongoing performance monitoring programs for demonstration projects that incorporate infiltration systems. These monitoring programs could be established on public works projects or in co-operation with developers.
3. Ensure that any new design standards reflect the design options that are most effective in the context of local conditions Through the implementation and monitoring o f demonstration projects, establish the design options for source storage and infiltration that would be most effective in the context of the site-specific conditions in the Como Watershed. Implementing demonstration projects will allow the City to take a lead role in demonstrating successes to landowners and the development community.
4. Adopt a collaborative approach to change

development community to:
9
- Consult with
landowners and the
determine their preferred design options for source storage and infiltration. develop an appropriate implementation strategy for regulatory change. develop an appropriate financing strategy for source storage retrofits.
5. Incorporate the most effective and acceptable design options into the Citys Engineering Standards Revisions to the Engineering Standards should reflect local conditions as
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well as the preferences of landowners and the development community. These new Engineering Standards can then be incorporated into the relevant development regulations (Subdivision Bylaw, the Building Bylaw, Zoning Bylaw, Development Permit Guidelines).
6. Make the details of new design standards readily available - Create a technical manual of
options for on-lot storage and infiltration, including details and specifications of design standards, typical costs, and operation and maintenance requirements. Make the manual available on-line.
7. Facilitate procurement of materials needed to implement new design standards
Implement a bull< purchase/resale program that makes it easy and affordable for developers to obtain the specialty products needed to implement source storage and infiltration. Also, investigate options and costs related to providing a cheap source of material for absorbent soils. These options to indude: establishment of a City composting program utilizing overburden sediments from local gravel pits, and examining large volume discounts through negotiated contracts with local topsoil supply companies.
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8. Build support through education - Implement education programs to inform city staff,
the development community, and the general public about the need for the changes in development practices and how to implement them.
7.6 Steps 5 and 6 Ongoing Assessment of the Watershed Retrofit Strategy

In order to assess the performance of the watershed retrofit strategy, it is important to monitor changes in the runoff characteristics of the Como Watershed over time. This monitoring will make it possible to: Determine the extent of the reduction in runoff rates and total volume of runoff that is being achieved through the watershed retrofit strategy and program initiatives. Correlate changes in &off characteristics with improvementsto watershed health. = Constantly evaluate and improve the watershed retrofit strategy
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In order to monitor changes in runoff characteristics it is necessary to upgrade the two streamflow monitoring stations in the Lowlands and provide new streamflow stations at two key locations in the Uplands, Como Creek at Austin and Booth Creek at Austin. These should be complemented by a water level monitoring network in the Lowlands.
These measures should be fully completed &soon as possible to enable the collection of the baseline data needed to define the existing runoff characteristics of the watershed. Without this baseline data, there will be no benchmark for monitoring and evaluating future changes.
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COHO CREEK lNTEGRATED aORMWATER ?&NAGEMEWr PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOO RISKMANAGEMENTAND IN THE COMO UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
It is a l s o important to determine the runoff characteristics of a healthy watershed, which could be defined as natural forested or less than 10% impervious. This will provide a suitable target condition for long-term watershed restoration. However, the characteristics of a healthy watershed cannot be defined through data collection because the Como Watershed is already degraded. The way to establishatarget condition for watershed restoration is to build a calibrated model for the Como Watershed and simulate historical watershed conditions, before development eliminated aquatic ecosystems. This model would also be a valuable tool for refining watershed management solutions and making predictions to guide future monitoring efforts. An adequate streamflow monitoring network is necessary to develop a calibrated watershshed model. The current rainfall gauge in the Como Watershed is located in the Lowlands. Since elevation change tends to have a sigruficant impact on rainfall, it is likely that the Uplands have slightly different rainfall characteristics than the Lowlands. Since the primary focus of the watershed retrofit strategy is on changing the rainfall-runoff response of the Como Uplands, establishing a rainfall gauge in the Uplands would provide better data than the current Lowlands gauge for monitoring, modelling and evaluation purposes.
7.7 Watercourse Restoration

The ultimate goal of a long-term restoration strategy for the Como Watershed is to restore its watercourses to their natural state, with healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems. In order to achieve this goal, the piped sections of Como Creek and Booth Creek would eventually have to be daylighted. Land will need to be acquired in order to provide the setbacks that are needed to establish healthy streams. Therefore, stream daylighting projects must be undertaken in close consultation with affected landowners and developers to ensure that adequate compensation and/or incentives (e.g. density bonuses for developers) are provided for any land needed for setback purposes. .There is not much point in daylighting piped section of the creeks until the natural water balance of the Como Uplands has been at least partially restored. If daylighting projects were undertaken in the short-term, the new channels would experience the same erosion problems as the existing ravines and would not support healthy aquatic ecosystems. Restoration o f the Popeye Creek stream corridor (Lowlands Plan Element #3) has been proposed as a long-term plan element for the same reason. Figure 7-8 illustrates the piped section of Como Creek and Booth Creek that should be daylighted as part of a long-term watershed restoration strategy. This figure also emphasiies that source storage retrofit is the primary watershed restoration strategy that must precede creek daylighting.
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COMO CREEK lNTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN P A R T 6 STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS

Long-term watershed restoration requires a watershed retrojt strategy that incrementally restores the natural water balance of the Como Uplands as the watershed re-develops over the next 50 years. Key watershed retrofit target = reduce the total volume of surface runoff to less than 10%of total rainfall volume
In order to retrofit the watershed, changes in development practices are needed to ensure
that future re-development projects provide:
Rainfall Capture Miltrate runoff from small storms (up to 30 mm of rainfall per day) into the ground to reduce total runoff volume.
Runoff Control Store runoff from large storms (up to 60 mm of rainfall per day), and release it at a rate that approximates natural forested conditions.
Change must be implemented through an adaptiue process, which is characterized by: = the monitoring of demonstration projects prior to any changes in development regulations. ongoing assessment and optimization of the watershed retrofit strategy. The piped sections of Como Creek and Booth Creek should be restored to their natural state once the natural water balance of the Como Uplands has been partially restored.
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Optionsfor Long-TermWatershed Restoration O nthe Como Uplands
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Chapter 8 Short-Term Flood Risk Management
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 8
ShortmTerm Flood Risk Management

8.1 Options for Flood Risk Management
Restoring the natural water balance of the Como Uplands will eventually eliminate the root cause of existing flooding problems. However, t h i s is a long-term strategy and there is a need for immediate flood relief in the Como Watershed.
h i s report) is providing The focus of the Strutegyfir the Fruser Milk Jholands (Part A of t short-term flood risk management. The Uplands Strategy must also deal with short-term flooding risk because:
the high peak runoff rates and bedload transport originating from the Uplands increase the risk of flooding in the Lowlands. there are high-risk flooding locations in the Uplands Options for short-term flood risk management in the Como Uplands include:
1 . Building Community Storage Facilities Reduce the peak runoff rates from the Como Uplands, thus reducing downstream peak flows and providing partial erosion control.
2 . . Upgrading High-risk Culverts and Providing Bedload Interception Reduce the r i s k of culvert blockage, localized flooding and potential road washout. Reduce bedload and debris transport from the Upland Ravines, thus reducing deposition and flooding risk in the Lowlands.
3. Use Inter-Watershed Connections to Divert Peak Flows Reduce the risk of localized flooding by diverting peak flows away from high-risk flooding locations, such as Booth Creek at schoolhouse.
These options are illustrated in Figure 8-1.
8.2 Community Storage for Runoff Control

Providing community storage facilities for sub-catchments of the Como Watershed can reduce peak runoff rates (i.e. provide rainfall capture), which reduces the r i s k of downstream flooding by:
=
Reducing downstream peak flows Partially controlling erosion and reducing downstreambedload deposition the existing storm sewer network existing development within the watershed the steep topography of the Uplands
The feasibility of providing community storage is constrained by:
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Opportunities and Constraints for Community Storage

Figure 8-2 shows locations for community storage facilities to serve each sub-catchment that would be appropriate based on the existing storm sewer layout. Providing storage at other locations would be much more difficult because of the need to reconstruct existing storm sewer. The appropriate locations are classified as either:
o Not practical - There is not enough public land available to provide a pond with the
required storage volume, and the cost of acquiring enough private land or building a detention structure (e.g. concrete storage vault) would be prohibitively high.,
o Potentially suitable There is enough public land and/or.relatively low value private
land available to provide an adequate storage pond. It is questionable whether the benefits of providing community storage at these locations would jus* the costs.
o Feasible Community storage at these sites are feasible components of a short-term

flood risk management strategy for the Como Uplands. Only 2 sites out of 12 sites have been identified as feasible. Figure 8-3 illustrates the storage volume that would be needed to detain the runoff from the Como Uplands resulting from a mean annual rainfall @.e.600 m3 per impervious hectare). This figure shows that there is a large discrepancy between the desired storage volume and the volume available at feasible community storage sites.
I
The classificatonof potential community storage sites is based on a site by site evaluation, which is summarized below.
Evaluation of Community Storage Sites

Community storage facilities serving sub-catchments C1, C2 and C3 would be the most beneficial because they would reduce the rate of runoff (but not the runoff volume) into the most unstable portion of the Como Creek Ravine, between Austin and Rochester.
C1-Como Lake Storage: The existing storage volume in Como Lake could be utilized by optimizing the operation of the lake outlet. Only about 400 mm of operating depth would be needed to control the runofffrom the area tributary to Como Lake (sub-catchmentC l ) , which represents about 40% of the runoff into the most unstable portion of the Como Creek Ravine (see Figure 8-3).
A new outlet structure would be needed to regulate flow releases and mimic natural forested conditions. The geotechnical implications of raising the level of Como Lake would also need to be determined. It may be necessary to stabilize the banks of Como Lake (possibly by means of bio-engineering techniques), particularly the existing unstable bank on the eastern and southern shorelines. Improvements to the footpath around the Lake would likely be required. This provides an opportunity to enhance the wheelchair accessibility of this path.
C2 No feasible site: The topography at this location is too steep at to build a detention pond, which is a typical problem for the Como Uplands. The only other option is to build a large storage structure (e.g. underground detention vault). The costs of such a structure would be prohibitivelyhigh, on the order of $14 million plus land acquisition costs.
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OntOonsfor Sbort=lermHoodROsk Management city ofcoquitlalr O ntbe Como Oflands
6illiCREEK WATERSHED MAWA6EMEWTPWN
Identj!ication and Assessment 0t Owortunities f City of Coquitlam and Constraintsfor CommunU Storage
C O M O CREEK WATERSHED MllwAGEMElFc PUN
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
C3 Austin Ravine Storage Site: Enough storage volume to control the runoff from subcatchment C3 could be provided in the ravine below Austin Ave. (just west of Como Creek) by building a four metre high dam spanning the ravine (about 100 m across). There is currently no access to the ravine. Given its steepness and unknown stability, it may not be feasible to build an access road for construction equipment. Building a road and dam in the Austin Ravine would be very costly and would likely cause sigruficant damage to the riparian vegetation of Como Creek.
Note: The majority of the runoff to the Austin Ravine site comes from the commercial area west of Como Creek, between King Albert and Austin. About 85% of this area is impm'ous, much o f which is surface parking. Retrofitting this area with source storage through re-development would make a detention facirify in the Austin Ravine redundant.
C4 Schoolhouse Ravine Storage Site: A community storage facility could be built in the
ravine between Rochester Ave. and Schoolhouse St. to reduce the rate of runoff from subcatchment C-4. This would reduce downstream peak flows slightly, but would not contribute to erosion control in the Como Creek ravine because the site is located downstream of the eroded open channel sections of Corno Creek. There are flat, forested areas where adequate space could be cleared for community storage ponds to serve these subcatchments. Similarly to the Schoolhouse ravine site, these ponds would reduce downstream peak flows slightly, but would not contribute to erosion control in the Como Creek ravine.
C5, C6 and C7
- Forested Area below Brunette:
B1 and B2 - N o feasible site: There is no public land available to provide community storage ponds for these sub-catchments. The cost of either acquiring enough private land for a pond or building a storage structure would be prohibitively expensive.
M1 and M2 Low-value Private Land below Brunette: There is no public land available a for storage pond, but there are many low-value private lots below Brunette (assessed value of buildings less than $40,000). About 20 adjacent lots would have to be acquired to provide enough storage capacity for the whole MacDonald Creek sub-watershed (M1 and M2). A pond at t h i s location would reduce peak flows in lower Booth Creek but would not contribute to erosion control.
land adjacent to the track/playing field west of Montgomery St. is too steep to build a pond. The cost of either acquiring enough private land for a pond or building a storage structure would be prohibitively expensive.
Pl - N o feasible site: There is no public land available for a for storage pond. The public
P2 - BC Hydro Storage Site (Lowlands Plan Element L2): A storage pond at this site was identified as a core element of the Lowlands Strategy. It would improve the effectiveness of the Booth to Popeye Inter-watershed connection (Lowlands Plan element L1) by reducing peak flows in Popeye Creek and increasing the channel capacity available for flow transfer from Booth to Popeye. This would improve flood relief in lower Booth Creek. This pond would also contribute to the restoration of the Popeye Creek system by reducing runoff rates from sub-catchment P2.
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8.3 Culvert Upgrading and Bedload Interception

The primary objective of flood risk management is to protect property by ensuring that the drainage system is adequate to safely convey the 'design flood' (i.e. the 100 year peak flow). The high-risk locations for drainage system failure are most often at culvert installations.
Risk Analysis for Culvert Installations The adequacy of a culvert installation can be assessed on the basis of two criteria: o Hydraulic Adequacy - By definition, a comparison of rated capaaty versus design
flow
o Physical Adequacy
definition, a qualitative judgement regarding physical constraints (i.e. culvert blockage) that could adversely impact hydraulic adequacy.
- By
Based on long-term experience, the governing criterion is almost always physical adequacy, with hydraulic adequacy being a secondary concern. The assessment of physical adequacy becomes a key input in a risk analysis that considers the consequences of culvert blockage.
Assessment of Physical Adequacy

The Como Creek Watershed Plan addresses the issue of physical adequacy by ensuring that culvert installations conform to the following guidelines:
No.
Guidelines for Effective Culvert Design
Maintain line and grade of creek channel Maintain the waterway opening by "bridging" the creek channel Construct inlet structure to provide direct entry and accelerated velocity Ensure that it can pass trash, small debris and bedload material Install debris interceptor upstream to provide protection from large debris Provide scour protection to prevent undermining of the outlet structure Incorporate provision for an overflow route in the event of a worst-case scenario Provide equipment access for ease of maintenance (debris removal) Consider environmental issues, such as fish passage
In the Como Uplands there are three major culvert installations that do not meet these design guidelines:
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Como Creek culvert at Rochester Ave. Booth Creek culvert at Austin Ave. Como Creek culvert at Austin Ave.
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These are high-risk locations for drainage system failure. A l l 'of these culverts are vulnerable to blockage from debris and bedload deposition resulting from upstream l l show erosion. The photographs of these culvert (Figures 8-4 through 8-6 below) a evidence of bedload and debris accumulation.
Figure 8-5 Booth Creek culvert at Austin Ave.
Figure 8-4 Como Creek culvert at Rochester Ave.
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Blockage of these culverts often occurs during flood events, and the City's drainage crews have to respond quickly to clear them before they become completely blocked. Figure 8-4 shows why the Como Creek culvert at Rochester is the #1 drainage maintenance priority in the City. There is always a risk that the City crews will not arrive in time and flooding will occur behind the culvert installation.
Figure 8-6 Como Creek culvert at Austin Ave.
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Potential Consequences of Blockage

Culvert blockage would result in water levels building up behind the roadfills of Rochester Ave. and/or Austin Ave. These roadfills were not designed as dams. Therefore, there would be a high-risk of road washout. The expense of dealing with such a disaster would potentially be far greater than the capital costs associated with culvert replacement or upgrading.
Assessment of Hydraulic Adequacy

The high-risk culverts in the Como Uplands all fail based on physical adequacy (i.e. vulnerability to blockage). The following table assess hydraulic adequacy by comparing the rated capacity o f the three high-risk culvert installations with the peak flows that were generated by the OTTHYMO model for the Como Watershed (developed in Part A). Rated Capacity (assuming no swcharge)
Peak flow from

storm of record (- 100-yrflood)
4.0 m3/s
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High-RiskCulvert
Como Creek at Rochester
Rating of Hydraulic Adequacy Grossly deficient
1.8 m3/s
Booth Creek at Austin

Como Creek at Austin
2 . 3 m3/s
3.8 m3/s
2.2 m3/s 3 . 2 m3/s

Adequate
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The Como Creek Culvert at Rochester Ave. is grossly deficient from a hydraulic adequacy point of view, in adition to being physically inadequate. Figure 8-7 shows evidence of bedload and debris deposition on top of the Rochester Culvert, w h i c h indicates frequent overtopping. Note that the rated capacity of the pipe downstream of the Rochester culvert is 8.3 m3/s. So if the inlet structure could be improved to get the peak flows into the pipe, there would not be a hydraulic adequacy problem. The hydraulic adequacy o f the two Austin Ave. culverts is not such a concern (although the Booth Creek culvert is marginal). However, the key point is that all three culverts are physically inadequate, and are therefore, high-risk locations for drainage system failure.
Figure 8-7 Como Creek culvert at Rochester Ave. (top view)
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FINAL REPORT FEBRUARV 2002
Building community storage facilities to reduce peak flows does little to reduce the risk of culvert failure due to blockage. Improvements to the culvert installations are needed.
Replacement versus Upgrading

The first issue to be addressed is replacement versus upgrading. The key objective in replacing culverts is to maintain the natural waterway opening (i.e. Guidline #2 above). This is the preferred approach, unless there are over-riding factors which prevent replacement. The importance of Austin Road as an arterial route, combined with the height of the roadfills, means that culvert replacement is likely neither an acceptable nor feasible option. The fallback position is to reduce risk through structural improvements. This rationale also applies to the Rochester culvert. The key upgrade requirement for the three high-risk culverts is to re-construct the inlet structure to provide direct entry and accelerated velocity (i.e. Guideline #3 above). A smooth flow condition should be maintained through the culvert installation to minimize interference with natural creek processes.
A high-level emergency overflow pipe is also needed for a l l three culverts, and permanent equipment access must be developed for the Booth Creek culvert at Austin (Figure 8-5 shows that there is currently no access to this culvert). The purpose of an overflow is to limit the depth of ponded water in the event o f a blockage. Equipment access is critical for rapid response and to remove bedload deposition.
Bedload Interception
Eliminating the source of the erosion problems in the Como Watershed requires source storage retrofit in the Uplands. However, this is a long-term strategy and there is also a need to deal with immediate erosion problems. It is appropriate to manage 'erosion control at the locations where the impact of bedload deposition and debris movement is most sigruficant, the high-risk qulverts. Constructing debris basins immediately upstream of these culverts would intercept bedload and debris, thus reducing the risk of blockage and localized flooding at these locations. Debris basins in the Uplands would also reduce the risk of flooding in the Lowlands by reducing downstreambedload deposition. An alternative short-term erosion control strategy would be to stabilize the most critical eroded sections of the Como Creek ravines. This is not an appropriate strategy because:
0
the equipment access needed for ravine stabilization work does not exist and would be very difficult and costly to provide. there is sigruficant erosion along most of the Como Creek ravine, and there is limited benefit associated with stabilizing individual locations.
Providing community storage facilities for sub-catchments C1 and C3 (Como Lake and Austin Ravine, respectively) could also contribute to reducing erosion in the short-term.
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8.4 Inter-Watershed Connections

The watershed vision presented in the Lowlands Strategy is based on creating two separate sub-watersheds, Como/ MacDonald and Booth/Popeye, using the existing interwatershed Connection between Booth Creek and Popeye Creek (element Ll). Use of t h i s inter-watershed connection is also a key strategy for short-term flood r i s k management. Transferring peak flows from Booth to Popeye will reduce the risk of bank overflows in lower Booth, which is particularly important for the chronic flooding location at Schoolhouse. The Booth/Popeye connection could be designed to intercept bedload and debris, similarly to the Uplands culverts. This would reduce the risk of blockage and flooding at 1 ) . Figure 8-8 the downstream diversion culvert inlet (Problem #7 identified on Figure 2 shows that there is no capacity for overflow at this culvert installation
This culvert inlet became plugged during the December 15* 1999 flood event resulting in flood overflows onto private property.
Figure 8-8 Booth Creek Diversion Culvert Inlet at Sheridan Creating a new inter-watershed connection to transfer flows from the upper MacDonald watershed (catchment MI) into Como Creek would also reduce the peak flows and flooding risk in lower Booth. Figure 8-9 illustrates the impact that inter-watershed connections could have had on reducing peak flows in Lower Booth Creek during the December 15th 1999 flood event. This figure demonstrates that: the magnitude of peak flows that can be diverted from Booth to Popeye is limited by the available capacity of the Popeye Flume. This capacity can be increased by providing a community storage facility to reduce runoff rates from the Lower Popeye Sub-watershed (catchment E ) .
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F i w REPORT FEBRUARY 2002
the MacDonald/Como connection would be much less effective than the Booth/Popeye connection because the runoff from catchment M1 contributes a small fraction of the total peak flows in Lower Booth.
5 t h flood could have been reduced to a bankfull The peak flows during the December 1 condition using both inter-watershed connections.
In order to develop appropriate operating rules for inter-watershed connections, it is essential to have streamflow data from the watercourse affected by the diversions. A calibrated model of the watershed would also be a valuable tool for developing these operating rules. An adequate streamflow monitoring network is clearly needed.

The following short-term flood risk management options are appropriate for the Como Uplands:
a Upgrade the three high-risk culverts in the Uplands to reduce the risk of blockage and
to provide bedload interception.
a Modify the flow regulation at the outlet of Como Lake to increase its storage capacity
and reduce the rate of runoff from the upper Como Creek sub-watershed.
a Upgrade the Booth/Popeye inter-watershed connection and develop appropriate

operating rules for diverting peak flows from Booth to Popeye.
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Chapter 9 Elements of an Integrated Plan For the Como Uplands
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER M A N A G E M E N T PLAN P A R T B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 9
Elements of an Integrated Plan for the Como Uplands

9.1 Description of Uplands Plan Elements
Figure 9-1 illustrates the plan elements for the Como Uplands and the related plan elements for the Lowlands. The plan elements are cross-referenced to Table 9-1, which provides supporting details for each element as follows:
+ Describes the scope of the project + Identifies the key benefits associated with project implementation + Provides a capital cost estimate + Identifies an approximate timeframe for implementation; short-term (0-5 years),
medium term (5-20 years), or long-term (20-50 years)
9.2 Plan Elements for Long-Term Watershed Restoration

The key element for long-term watershed restoration is source storage and infiltration retrofit (element U2). The timeframe for implementation is defined as short-term (0-5 years) because the process of changing development practices and regulations must occur in the short-term to enable source storage retrofit in conjunction with redevelopment in the medium- to long-term (5-50 years). Given the age of the housing stock in the Como Uplands, there will likely be substantial redevelopment in the 5 to 25 year timeframe, which underscores the need for change in the next 5 years. There are three creek daylighting projects in the Como Uplands that have been identified as long-term plan elements (U6, U7, and U8). These projects only make sense once the natural water balance has been suffiaently restored to allow healthy aquatic ecosystems to establish in the creeks.
9.3 Plan Elements for Short-Term Flood Risk Management

Four plan elements have been identified to reduce the risk of flooding in the short-term: Modlfying the operation of Como Ldke to increase its storage capacity (element U1) Upgrading the three high-risk culverts in the Como Uplands to reduce the risk of blockage and provide bedload interception (elements U3,U4 and U5) The fact that three of the four plan elements are culvert upgrades reflects the flood risk management priorities for the Uplands, which is totargetthe highest risk locations. The Como Lake storage is proposed because it makes use of an existing resource and provides runoff control for a key sub-catchment that is upstream of the most unstable pokion of the Como Creek Ravine.
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Watershed Boundary
Watercourses
'
aD.mD=mm-e~a..DDo
Open Channel Piped Seclion
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--
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- Lowlands Watercourses (see Figure 2-1)
Plan Elements for Short-term Flood Risk Management Plan Elements for Long-term Watershed Restorabon Lowlands Plan Etements (seeFigure4-2)
Source Storage Retrofit

Change development regulations through an adaptive and consultative process, so that the entire watershed can be rebfittedwith source storage as redevelopmentOCCUR. lndude requirements for infiltration, in areas where it i s feasible.
Booth Creek Daylighting below Foster Avenue

Daylight piped section of Booth Creek in conjunctionwith neighbomood redevelopment.
Austin East (Booth) Culvert Reconstruction

Develop permanent equipment access. Reconstruct the inlet structure. Provide bedload interception. Add a high level emergency overflow pipe.
Booth-to-Po ye Creek Inter-Waters ed Connection
Provideflood relief in Booth Creek by diverting peak flows into Popeye.
R"
Provide additionalRood relief m Booth Creek by creating additional channel capacity in Popeye.
(BeHydro Site)
Po eye Detention Pond
Popeye Stream Corridor

Optimize the effectivenessof the BootbtePopeye Inter-WatershedConnection.
R.U. tusmrz COUSUTANTS
L~D.
Elements of an lntemrated Planfor Flood Risk Management and Watershed Restoration inthe Como Uplands
City of Coquitlam
GOMO GREEK WATERSHED MiiNACEMENT PLAN
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGdATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOODRISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
CHAPTER 10
Concepts for Rainfall Capture at Source

10.1 Performance Targets for Rainfall Capture
To create a complete solution for the problems facing the Como Creek Watershed, it is necessary to include strategies for rainfall source storage and infiltration. These strategieswill capture rainfall events that are less than 60mm in 24 hours.
This rainfall capture will be gradually implemented at the time of redevelopment, over
the next 50 years. In the long term, it will restore hydrological performance to the watershed that will solve flooding problems and support sustainable aquatic ecosystems. Chapter 7 has calculated the following preliminary targets for rainfall capture:
o Store and infiltrate - the first 30mm rainfall per 24 hours per contributing surface
area, and infiltrate at a rate of at least 0.6m.mper contributing surface area per hour.
o Store and infiltrate or release - the second 30mm rainfall per 24 hours per
contributing surface area, and provide for release to the stormwater system at a rate not to exceed 14mm per 24 hours per contributing surface area, if the capacity for infiltration is exceeded.
o Provide storage for 600 cu.m. per impervious hectare - to allow for the worst h i s storage amount will hold all of the 30+30 = 60mm rainfall listed condition, t above.
o Bypass to storm sewer or surface flow - rainfall amounts greater than 60mm per 24
hours.
This chapter illustrates how these performance targets can be achieved in single family,
high density, medium density, and roadway land uses. The concepts presented herein for rainfall capture at source provide the City with a starting point for moving forward with the Adaptive Approach that we presented in Chapter 7 for watershed restoration. The objective is to provide a clear picture of practical solutions. This is achieved by incorporating a set of "how to" graphics that illustrate how to change high Tofal lmpewious Area PIA) to low Efictive lnzpewious Area (EIA). The fact that most buildings in the Como watershed are more than 25 years old, and approximately half are more than 40 years old, results in a real opportunity to incrementally restore the natural water balance in conjunction with redevelopment.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAH PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
I Redevelopment Tends
10.2 Land Use Redevelopment Scenarios

to Increase Impervious.Area
impervious area is likely to increase as redevelopment takes place. This increase will create increasing flooding and erosion problems in the watershed if rainfall capture techniques are not employed. The figures that follow illustrate the impacts of redevelopment on impermeable area, using single family as an example, since it is the largest land area in the upper watershed.
An analysis of recent'redevelopment in the Como Creek Watershed illustrates how
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN RISKMANAGEMENT AND PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Figure 10-1 shows a typical existing residential street in the upper Como Creek Watershed.
CI
Darker roofs show older buildings. Research has shown @an m y of these houses are in the 25 to 40 year age span, with the older homes reaching the end of their normal life cycle. The righter roof is a newer building. Its roof area has increased in comparison to the older home. More sigrufrcantly,its driveway area is substantially larger, and paved.
CI
Fig 10-1
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Figure 10-2 analyzes the impermeable surface area of a typical older home in the upper Como Creek Watershed.
a Impermeable surface area (roof and driveway) represent about 28% of the lot area,
with the remaining 72%being lawn and garden.
R
Using the performance targets, the 250 sq.m. (2700 sq.ft) of impermeable area would require 15 cu.m. of rainfall storage on the site.
sSngle farnlly dvuelllng

1860's
typical
il =I
Impemeabk surface areas
r
I
I I I I
penwrble surtsce areas
percentage of lot:
Fig 10-2
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPlANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
Figure 1 0 . 3 analyzes the impermeable surface area of a newer home in the upper Comb Creek Watershed.
o Impermeable surface area (roof, driveway and concrete deck) almost doubles, to about 53% of the lot area, with the remaining 47% being lawn and garden. o Using the performance targets, the 437 sq.m. (4700sq.ft) of impermeable area would require 26 cu.m. of rainfall storage on the site.
single family dwelling

2001 typical
Impermeable surface areas

rod WWB
p.wd urrl*cr+
so00 W.W.
totat area
-4
permeabte wrlaee areas

l a m *tea
4 2 0 0 8q.fl.
percentage of lot:
impormoablo eutfaco 53 'w pcmno;rblo 8UUrtaCO 47%
Fig 10-3
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COMOCREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B %RATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Figure 10-4shows a block with several new two-family dwellings in the upper Como Creek Watershed.
o Darker roofs, with dark driveways, generally show older buildings.
o The lighter roofed buildings and light coloured driveways are new two-family dwellings. Note the increased roof area, driveway and patio paving.
o This type of densification is likely to be common as the watershed adds to its population during redevelopment, as envisioned by the Regional Growth ManagementStrategy.
Fig 10-4
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
<,
.
Figure 10-5 analyzes the impermeable surface area of a new two-family home in the upper Como Creek Watershed.
o Impermeable surface area (roof, driveway and concrete deck) is about 56%of the lot
area, with the remaining 44% being lawn and garden. require 28 cam. of rainfall storage on the site.
v:
'b
o Using the performance targets, the 465 sq.m. (5000 sq.ft) of impermeable area would
two family dwelling

2001 typical
impermeable surface areas

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pmod wdacas
2sm 84-h
total area
5wo sq.ft-
2600 a q . &
psrmeabls surface areas

t.wn
we.
3900 . e .
percentage of l o t :
Impennesble surface 56% permeable surface 44%
Fig 10-5
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COW0 CREEK INTEGRATED%ORWATER MANAGEMENT P L A N PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
10.3 Examples of Rainfall Capture Techniques

~
Objective: Change high Total Impervious Area (TIA) to low Effective Impervious Area (EM) The examples in Section 10.2 assume that all roof and hardened surface areas shed rainfall to a stormdrain, and are therefore calculated as part of 'Total Impervious Area' (TIA).
This section provides examples of how to provide 'hydraulic disconnects' between the hard surface and the stormdrain, so that a low 'Effective Impervious Area' (EIA) is created.
While allowing redevelopment and densification to take place, there are many techniques that can be used to meet the performance targets for rainfall capture. The following pages illustrate examples of rainfall capture techniques for various land uses, including: Single and Two Family Residential
D
o Miltrator Chambers
o Absorbent Soils
o Pervious Paving and Reservoir Base Course
o Spaced Wood Deck

o SkinnyBuildings
High Density Multi-family, Commercial, Office and Institutional same as above, plus:
o Multi-storey Buildings over Underground Parking o Absorbent Soils over Underground Parking
o Cisterns o Rainwater Reuse
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PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
. FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL REPORT
Medium Density Multi-Family and Commercial - same as above, plus:
o Oil-water interceptor
o Roof Storage o Permeable Parking Areas
o Shared Parking Areas

o Bioswales and Constructed Wetlands
Roadways
o Permeable Roadside Parking
o Separated Sidewalk
o Reservoir Base Course
o Dry Swale with Underdrain

Backup / Overflow to Stormdrain System
o Development Parcel o Public Roadway
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COMO CREEK INEGRATED STORWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANOS
Single and Two Family Residential

Figure 10-6 shows the installation of selected techniques on a typical single-family or two-family redevelopment.
0
Roof drain leaders outfall through a debris catcher to an array of Miltrator Chambers in the front lawn. Storage for the 279 sq.m. (3000 ft.) roof, to meet the 600 cu.m. / hectare performance target would be 16.7 cu.m.. This would require 22 Infiltrator Chambers based on 0.76 cu.m. per chamber in drain rock bedding. In an array, this would take a total land area of approximately 7.6m x 6 m. This could be entirely in the front yard, or could be split to various locations in the yard based on soil and landscape characteristics. See Figure 10-7 for details.
&.
The Infiltrator Chambers have a pipe connected to the existing street storm drainage system that allows rainfall events that exceed the storage capacity to overflow.
r a i n along the downstream property The Plan also shows an interceptor perforated d boundary. This is shown as an illustration only. It could be installed as required on lots with steep slopes or seepage problems, to remove surface water and shallow interflow and take it to the storm drain system. Ideally, there will be at least 9m (30) between the Infiltrator Chamber and t h i s perforated drain. This would provide an approximately 30 day delay between the time that water is absorbed as interflow and it being removed by the perforated drain. The 30 day delay is based on a moderate 12.5mm/hr (1/2/hr) infiltration and interflow rate. Delays between Miltrator Chamber and footing drains would follow a similar pattern, where each foot of interflow distance represents a day or more of delay.
The bulk of the site is maintained with absorbent soils. Special care is taken to ensure that the top 300mm of soil are highly absorbent, by avoiding compaction and ensuring a high content of organic matter. See Figure 10-8for details. Driveway and surface paving is shown as permeable pavers, with a reservoir base course. This ensures that rainfall landing on the driveway is stored underground and allowed to soak into the underlying soils. See Figure 10-9 for details. The rear outdoor living area is a spaced wood deck over absorbent ground. This allows rainfall to fall through and infiltrate into the ground below. See Figure 10-10 for details. Skinny buildings (Not shown on this plan, see Figure 10-11)would reduce the building roof area on this site, and would thus reduce the amount of Infiltrator Chamber storage required.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
stormwater management
incarporating new strategies
L -
slope
Fig 104
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10-11
CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN PAKT 6 STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMEW AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Infiltrator Chambers
Figure 10-7a and 10-7 b show a photograph and installation detail of Infiltrator Chambers (www.infiltratorsvstems.com):
a The Infiltrator is a plastic, perforated shell, 864 mm wide by 400mm tall by 1905mm long that is placed in a bed of drain rock.
a The void of the high capacity Infiltrator is approximately 0.46 cu.rn, or about 0.24
cu.m. per 1.m. of Infiltrator. based on a 33%void ratio. per 1.m.
1
1 I t
a The drain rock surrounding the Infiltrator would store approximately 0 . 3 cu. m.,
a Therefore, total storage volume per Infiltrator unit is 0.76 cu.m, or about 0.38 cu.n
1
@
Fig 10-7a
To exfiltrate the entire volume of the Infiltrator and drain rock within 48 hours, it would ideally be located on soils with a percolation rate of 12.5mm/hour (l/2 .per hour). A soil with 75%sand, with up to 15%fines and 10%organic matter would be representative of this type of hydraulic capacity. Lower capacity soils will increase the storage time of rainfall in the chambers, and could result in more frequent overflow events to the storm drainage system. However, a percolation rate of 12.5mmper hour includes a factor of safety (FOS) greater than 3, using the performance target for exfiltration of 0.6mm / hour per unit area and our single family home shown in Figure 10.6. (279 sq.m. impervious roof x 0.0006 = 0.167 cu.m./hr distributed to 45.6 sq.m. infiltrator bed = 0.00367 m/hr or 3.7 m / h r to be infiltrated from the infiltrator chambers).
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Cos0 CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPlANDS
o The exfiltration site should be protected during construction from either compaction
or sedimentation, by pre identification and fencing or other means. Inadvertent compaction should be removed by ripping or scarifying the site prior to installation of the infiltrator chambers. Pipes leading to Infiltration Chambers should be fitted with debris catchers and cleanouts, to minimize the movement of sediment and debris into the chamber. installed over the surface.
o The entire Infiltration System is sub-surface. Normal landscape or lawn can be o

Other exfiltration systems also should be considered. Note, however, that systems that are as shallow as possible (ASAP) provide the best opportunity for recharging the soil interflow zone.
GROWING MEDIUM
1 112 3 WASHED CRUSHED STONE INFILTRATION CHAMBER UNDISTURBED NATIVE SOILS
STORMWATER STORAGE: INFILTRATION CHAMBER
Fig 10-7b
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN MECOMO UPLANDS
Absorbent Soils Soil structure plays a fundamental role in stormwater management. Just as we are trying to mimic the hydraulics of the natural system to support aquatic habitat, it is necessary to have the soils in urban developmentmimic a natural condition.
o In a natural condition, the top layers of soil (say 300 mm) are highly permeable, with a surface layer of organic matter from surface plants, and high populations of earthworms and microbes that stir and mix the organic matter into the soil.It is this soil ecosystem that provides high infiltration rates and a basis for interflow that supports the aquatic ecosystem.
o In an urbanized condition, it is common practice to remove the surface soil horizons to waste or off-site topsoil processor, to regrade and heavily compact the site, and then to replace only a t h i n layer (often 50mm or less) or purchased topsoil. This practice creates a surface condition that is highly impermeable, resulting in surface runoff from lawn and landscape areas.
o Most soils store about 20% of their volume in soil water in the winter (the difference between saturated condition and field capacity). Thus a 50mm layer of soil would store lOmm of rainfall.
CI
To meet our performance target of storing 60mm of rainfall, the depth of absorbent soil must be 300mm. See figure 10-13.
*
o Generally, a range of soil characteristics is acceptable depending on whether the area is to be lawn or shrub/tree areas. Placing about 10 - 25%well composted organic matter in all types o f soil increases the permeability of the s o i l ,increases plant health and growth, and reduces the need for summer watering. Figure 10-8 shows the mixing of a soil and organic matter to create a good landscape soil. The soils required by the BC Landscape Standard for medium or better landscape will provide the type of hydraulic characteristics required. Often this will be achievable by adding organic matter to existing top soils on a residential site.
Fig 10-8
o To encourage installation of 300mm of a good quality soil/organic matter mix, the City could provide incentives through a C i t y composting program, in addition to enforcing the requirements of the BC Landscape Standard.
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COMOCREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPLANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
Pervious Paving and Reservoir Base Course New products have been developed that provide surface paving while allowing rainwater to soak into the ground below. Figure 10-9 shows a photograph of one such product (Rima Pavers by Westcon). Reference: Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements, Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute, www.icui.org, 2000
Fig 10-9
o Pervious Pavers allow rainwater to enter the soil through cracks between the pavers,
and have been proven more reliable than open graded pavement with no cracks.
o Pavers are spaced about 12.5 mm (l/2) apart for gravel cracks. The pavers are laid
over a granular bedding course (choker course) of up to 50mm of ASTM No. 8 crushed aggregate (not sand). The same material is used for filling cracks between pavers for gravel cracks. This system provides a factor of safety of 10 for infiltration of short, high intensity storms, and thus allows for the system performance to decrease over time due to some surface plugging. For a grass infill between the pavers, the bedding course detail is the same, except the cracks are 25mm (1) apart and a sand backfill is used for the cracks. The grass system has substantially less permeability than the gravel system, but is acceptable.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPlANDS
The pavers are placed over a reservoir base course of fractured drain rock, similar to railway ballast. This reservoir is sized to store the design storm. For a 6Omm storm, the reservoir part of the base course would be about 180mm deep (33%void). Additional depth may be required for structural strength in heavy use conditions, but is not likely required in driveways. The reservoir base course is placed over lightly compacted ground (about 80%modified proctor density), to maximize exfiltration of the rainfall into the underlying subsoil. Slope on the pervious pavers should be at least 1%, and should not exceed 6%. Calculation of the reservoir capacity should consider drainage areas that flow to the pavement. Depth to water table or bedrock under the reservoir base course should be at least 600mm.Infiltration rate of soils under the reservoir should be a minimum of vi /hour for f u l l exfiltration without a perforated underdrain. Pervious paving should not be used on any stormwater hotspots where surface contaminantsmay be concentrated and enter the groundwater e.g. gas stations, wrecking yard, fleet storage yards, or other sites that store hazardous materials. Due to the soil requirements for use of this technology, it is recommended that a hydrogeotechnicalstudy be performed to identrfy areas in Coquitlam where existing soil conditions are appropriate.
A vertical pipe inlet can be installed so that the reservoir base course overflows to the storm drain when f u l l .Where soil infiltration is limited, a similar cross section detail can be used to store the design storm, with a perforated drain to slowly remove the stored water to the storm drainage system.
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COMO CREEKINTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Spaced Wood Deck

Simple, well known, technologies also can meet the performance target. Figure 10-10 shows a typical wood deck with space between the boards.
o Rainfall hitting this wood deck flows to the ground below. o Provided the ground below meets the.performance target for absorption, there is no
runoff from this technique.
Fig 10-10
Skinny Buildings
Building designs that minimize roof area by a taller, more slender building form, h i sform of building. Whereas in effectively reduce impervious area. Figure 10-11shows t t h i sphoto they are located close together on narrow lots, similar buildings on a standard
lot would leave more permeable space in the yard. These types of buildings might be especially appropriate on steeply sloping sites, or sites with valuable existing vegetation.
Fig 10-11
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER fdANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATIONIN THE COMO UPIANDS
FINAL WORT FEBRUARY 2002
High Density Multi-family, Commercial, Office and Institutional

All of the above techniques could be applied to High Density developments.
allows the following additional techniques to be considered. Multi-storey Buildings over Underground Parking
In addition, the level of investment and high site coverage in high density developments
o Buildings of multiple storeys have less roof area per unit than lower buildings. See
Figure 10-12.
o Underground parking reduces the amount of impervious area on the surface, in
particular if the parking is covered by building or by absorbent landscape. Underground parking also separates the drips and droppings from automobiles from exposure to rainfall, creating a reduced water quality hazard.
Figlo-12
Absorbent Soils over Underground Parking
o As shown in Figure 10-13, a 300mm layer of absorbent soil over the parking garage
lid or roof would store about 20% by volume, or 60 mm of rainfall in the winter wet period. This meets the performance target. Storage in a plastic drainage layer, or equivalent storage volume in drain rock, under the landscape soil can increase the effectivestorage volume. chambers, or equivalent, in suitable areas of the site off the parking garage, with an overflow to the storm drain system.
o The drainage outflow from the parking garage lid should be connected to infiltrator
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CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN RISKMANAGEMENTAND PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD
,
WATERPROOF
,4.-,-,?:,-
+:
A\-,.
J * + * a i ,
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PLANTING SOIL MIX
COLLAR FLOW C O N T R O L +
ABSORBANTSOILS AND FLOW CONTROL OVER PARKINGGARAGE
DRAFI
Fig 10-13
Cisterns
o Figure 10-14 shows schematicallythe installation of cisterns in parking garages or

landscape areas.
P
These concrete vaults would generally be used to store roof drainage, and to release it slowly into infiltrator chambers with overflows to the storm drainage system.
On-Parcel 8 OnStwet
Strategies
Fig 10-14
8
I
1
Rainwater Reuse
o Once rainwater is stored in cisterns, there are opportunities for its adaptive reuse.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPlANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
o As shown schematically in Figure 10-15, it is increasingly common for rainwater to be reused for toilet flushing, for garden watering, and for laundry purposes.
o To maintain stream base flow, first priority should be given to groundwater recharge, with only surplus water applied to in-building reuse.
Rainfall
Fig 10-15
Medium Density Multi-Family and Commercial

Many of the above techniques may also be applied to Medium Density Multi-family and Commercial Uses. The primary difference in this type of development is the use of large areas of surface parking. Figures 10-16a-b summarize appropriate additional techniques, which may include:
a
I
,R
.1 8
J
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RISKMANAGEMENT AND PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPlANDS
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN
I
I
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I
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Fig 10-16a-b
- - -.
Roof Storage
D
Commercial developments often have large expanses of flat roof. It is feasible to store rainfall on these roofs, making it available to evaporation. Figure 10-17 shows a 'green roof' on a large airport building. This thin layer of lightweight growing medium, sedums, mosses and thrift provide some stormwater absorption, but also offer excellent insulation and aesthetic effect while reducing the 'urban heat island' effect and absorbing greenhouse gases. These treatments are common in Europe, and are being introduced to North America.
a Roof water should be kept separate from parking area drainage, which can be polluted with hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Whereas parking area water requires treatment, most roof water could be released directly to storage and receiving waters.
Fig 10-17
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMEW PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
F i w REPORT FEERUARV 2002
Innovative Parking Areas
o Permeable paving and reservoir base coarse may be used on parking areas of
commercial developments.
o Less expensive permeable solutions might be considered for overflow parking areas.
o Parking standards should be reviewed for adequacy, and to consider a 'maximum'

number of parking stalls in addition to minimums.
o Use of shared parking areas should be encouraged. e.g. church or other 'time
specific' parking may be combined effectively with parking for commercial uses.
Oil-water interceptor
o A variety of in-vault stormwater treatment solutions, including oil/water
interceptors, are becoming available, to treat water to an acceptable quality prior to its discharge into other aspects of a 'treatment chain'.
Bioswales and Constructed Wetlands Parking areas can be designed to have their surface water flow into absorbent bioswales or rain gardens, where water is treated by plants and soils prior to overflow into downstream detention. See Figure 10-18a-b Constructed detention ponds or wetlands can provide both storage and water quality treatment prior to release to receiving waters. I f wetlands are to be used, there must be sufficient groundwater or drainage area to pro'vide a summer base flow to support the wetland plants.
If adequate land area is not set aside for water storage and treatment, the very high
impervious surface of these developments may create a need for in-building cisterns in addition to the techniques listed above
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN RISKMANAGEMENT AND PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
c
FINALWORT FEBRUARY 2002

A .
a
I
d I
Fig 10-18a
Pavement
Fig 10-18b
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WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANOS
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART 6 STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND
FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL REPORT
Roadways
Most roadways in the Como Creek Watershed are already established. In some parts of the watershed, open swales have recently been replaced with curb, gutter and underground storm drainage pipes. Mitigating the hydrological impacts of roadways will be a slow process, with opportunities being limited to the time of major redevelopment of industrial/cormnercial frontages, or to redevelopmentof existing roads at the end of their service life. The notes that follow show some concepts on how to create roads that meet the performance targets. With these concepts, the roads would 'self-mitigate'. That is, they would be designed to store and treat up to 60mm of water that would fall on them, and to pass the water from larger,storms through the pipe or overflow system. Permeable Roadside Parking and Sidewalk
0
Figure 10-19a, b and c show Permeable Paving for parking areas of the street cross section. This permeable paving could be similar to that described for driveways, excepting that a deeper reservoir course would be sized to hold the water flowing from the adjacent asphalt traveled lanes.
Also shown is permeable paving on the sidewalk. The sidewalk is also separated from the curb by a 3.0 m boulevard, which is dished to contain the drainage that h i t s it. With t h i s dished boulevard, a second, acceptable, option would be for the sidewalk to be impervious pavement, pitched to slope to the boulevard.
This detail has an upright curb, to avoid cars encroachingon the boulevard. The boulevard surface has 200 mm of sandy loam, with sodded grass surface for erosion control and permeability.
Below the grass boulevard is a 'Dry Swale with Underdrain'. This is a 6 0 0 - deep sand filter with a perforated drain in drain rock under it. The sand filter both stores rainwater (20%by volume) and filters out pollutants as water passes through it.
To allow drainage to get from the reservoir base course under the parking and sidewalk into the sand filter, the reservoir base course extends under the grass boulevard. This provides a large volume of underground storage for rainwater, and also a large surface area for the rainwater to infiltrate into the subsurface interflow.
Street trees are shown in Figure 10-19c. Standard topsoil mix would be used for the tree pit. If streets slope greater than 3-6%in profile, 'dams' of gravel material could be extended out from the tree topsoil to form an underground pool, encouraging the rainwater to soak into the sand filter. A cleanout and overflow drain could be provided upstream of each tree.
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
Fig 10-19a
NONNWWEN GEOlMTlLE FILTERUOTH 600 DEPTH SAND

PERVIOUSCONCRRE PAVER 25 DEPTH CUOKW C O U R S E 7
PERFORPTEDWC TO CE L W 300 DEPTH DRAINROCK - N P . NRRRUW BASE (900) CONMETE PERVIOUS CONCRETE PAVER5
25 Ourrn Yrnm MINUS M O K E U C Q U H B
K O M SECTIONTO W E
I
Fig 10-19b
1.83m WIDTH PERVlOUSSIDEWAM
3m WIDTH DRAINAGE 5VhU.E
2n1HItiTH PERVIOUS PARKINS
SECTION A TYP. LOCAL URBAN ROADSIDE DRAINAGE CONCEPT AT LAWN
DRAFT
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COMO CREEK lNTEGRAlEDSTORMWATER hlANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
FEBRUARY
FINALREPORT 2002
SECTION B
DRAFT
TYP. LOCAL URBAN ROADSIDE DRAINAGE CONCEPT AT TREE

Fig 10-19c
Backup / Overflow to Stormdrain System
o All of the above systems include an overflow connection to the existing piped
stormwater system. This provides redundancy, a route for storms over 6 0 m ,and insurance in case of any failure of these techniques. In the case of the Como Creek Watershed, this does not represent an added cost, since the piped system exists. reduce the size and extent of the required piped stormwater system. For the resulting savings to be safely realized, it is necessary to prove that the infiltration systems will perform reliably. A scientific monitoring program of the Como Watershed pilot projects and implementation is therefore recommended to determine the necessity of the piped stormwater backup system, and to make recommendations for design of future greenfield systems.
o However, in greenfield watersheds, it is likely that the infiltration system could
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND IN THE COMO UPlANDS WATERSHED RESTORATION
rn
Riparian Corridors
This study has focused on the hydrological aspects of watershed management. However, a second vital part of watershed management is the management of riparian , zones. Figure 10-20 illustrates some of the key functions of riparian habitat.
Fig 10-20
During the course of t h i s study, the Province of British Columbia has passed the Streamside Protection Regulation under the Fish Protection Act.
This regulation sets out provincial requirements for protection of streamside riparian areas. The level of protection varies depending on a number of criteria, including:
o
Whether the watercourse is fish-bearing or non fish-bearing;
o Whether the watercourse is permanent or non-permanent;

'o The state of the existing riparian vegetation;
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The state of existing land use and development along the watercourse.
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Target riparian setbacks vary from 5m to 30m from top of bank depending on the above factors.
The riparian zones in the Como Creek watershed are highly variable. Although most of the ravines are well vegetated, there are many cases where development crowds the top of bank. Riparian areas in the lower watershed are especially impacted by development. However, opportunities exist for limited restoration of riparian function at the time of redevelopment. The Streamside Protection Regulation sets out the potential for Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements to allow for a watershed and site-specific agreement on how the Fish Protection Act requirements can be met. Given its urbanized state, the Como Creek Watershed is a prime candidate for such a customized agreement. It is suggested that the City of Coquitlam seek financial assistance under the Streamside Protection Regulation of the Fish Protection Act to create an intergovernmental agreement specific to the Como Creek Watershed and its existing condition and future potential. The intent of the IntergovernmentalCooperation Agreement is to bring all parties which share a common goal - or who are essential players in achieving other jurisdictions goals - together so that they can apply their various mandates, resources, and capabilities to do the job both efficiently and effectively for all concerned.
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Restoration of Aquatic Habitat

A first priority of this watershed management plan is addressing the causes of flooding and erosion in the watercourses. As these problems are reduced, there will be increasing opportunities for restoration of aquatic habitat in the watershed.
Nature, given time, will perform admirably in restoring watershed health in many areas. However, habitat restoration activities can speed up the natural regeneration process, and provide inputs to the stream that would not be available in a heavily urbanized environment. Types of habitat restoration that might be included in various projects include:
P
As shown in Figure 10-21, where streams are constructed (e.g. the Popeye Corridor or daylighting projects), they should include a curvilinear system of pool / riffle complexes, as well as adjacent floodplain areas and riparian vegetation.
Fig 10-21
P
Figure 10-22 shows a constructed riffle with pools above and below. This type of rock structure may reduce instream erosion and provide varied habitats in areas where machine access can readily be gained.
Fig 10-22
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PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTAND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Fits REPORT FEBRUARY 2002
a Figure 10-23 shows a 'macro pool' that has been excavated to provide summer rearing habitat and deep water refuge from high temperatures and predators.
I
a
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n
1
Fig 10-23
o Figure 10-24 shows large organic debris for fish shade, cover and insect use. Note
that the root wad has been cabled to a boulder weight to keep it from flushing downstream during storm flows.
Fig 10-24
8 I
a Figure 10-25 shows boulder clusters placed in the stream. These modify current i s h habitats, and create scoured micro-pools around patterns, providing varied f
them.
Fig 10-25
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COMOCREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PART B STRATEGY FOR FLOODRISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION IN THE COMO UPLANDS
FEBRUARY 2002
FINAL REPORT
o Figure 10-26 shows brush layering of willow cuttings to provide erosion control and
leaf drop along a constructed stream bank.
Fig 10-26
Como Creek Watershed is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate these types of habitat restoration techniques in an urban setting. Every opportunity should be taken to both gain senior government assistance, but also to engage the community in the application, monitoring and appreciation of these techniques. The restoration of the hydrology and habitat of the Como Creek Watershed is a project that will take 50 years - a generation. It will be a fine legacy to leave to generations to come.
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FEBRUARY 2002
FIWLREPORT
PART C
Implementation of the Como Creek Integrated Stormwater Management Plan
Chapter Implementation Actions for Corno Watershed
CHPM HILL
COHO CREEK lNTE0RAlED STROMWATERMANAGEMENT PLAN
PART C Pwc IMPLEMENTATION
CHAPTER 11
Imdementation Actions for Como Watershed

11. I Introduction
Parts A and B of this report developed strategies for the Fraser Mills Lowlands and Como Uplands, respectively. Although they were presented in separate parts of the report the Lowlands and Uplands strategies are components of one Integrated Stormwater Management Plan for the Como Watershed. This chapter presents the specific actions that are needed to implement this integrated plan.
1I .2 Summary of the Como Watershed Plan

The Como Watershed Plan is based on the following primary objectives:
R
Short-term objective - reduce flooding risk over the next 5 years Long-term objective - restore the health of the watershed over the next 50 years
The key strategies for achieving these objectives are summarized below.
SHORT-TERM FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The risk of flooding in the Lowlands can be substantially reduced by improving the inadequate drainage system and providing flow management. Key improvements to lowlands drainage include:
Improve the drainage system in the Lowlands
i s ko f blockage, localized culvert installations in the Como Uplands where there is high r flooding and potential road washout. Key improvements to these culverts include:
Upgrade high-risk culverts and provide bedload interception - There are three
- Upgrading the inlet structure to reduce the risk of blockage and localized flooding
Removing flow obstructions, particularly the private bridge on Booth Creek Providing inter-watershed flow control at Highways and existing Booth/Popeye connection. Expanding rainfall and streamflow monitoring networks to enable effective flow management.
Providing bedload interception to reduce downstream deposition and flooding risk.
Provide community storage facilities The following ~ ~ m m u n istorage ty options are feasible for short-term flood risk management:
Increasing the storage capacity of Como Lake to reduce erosion in the most unstable section of the Como Creek Ravine, thus reducing downstream deposition and flooding risk. Building a storage pond on the B C Hydro site below Brunette to improve flow management in the Lowlands and enable restoration of the Popeye Creek system.
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LONG-TERM WATERSHED RESTORATION STRATEGIES tetrofit the watershed with source storage and infiltration facilities The key to ong-term watershed restoration is restoring the natural water balance o f the watershed md reducing watercourse erosion to natural levels. The only way to accomplish this is to Setrofit the watershed with source storage and infiltration facilities as redevelopment ~ccurs. Watershed retrofit must be pursued through an incremental adaptive approach.
n the short-term it is important to:
Identify appropriate targets and design options for source storage and infiltration facilities. This will require research of watershed conditions, implementation and monitoring of pilot projects, and consultation with landowners and the development community. Build support for watershed retrofit by educating city staff, the development community, and the general public. Change the appropriate development regulations to ensure that source storage retrofit will occur in conjunction with future redevelopment. Assist the implementation of individual source storage retrofit projects by facilitating the procurement of necessary products and facilitating the development approval process. Monitor improvements in watershed conditions, particularly the reduction in runoff rates and volumes, as the watershed becomes retrofitted with source storage over
time.
[n the medium to long-term it is important to:
Optimize the source storage retrofit strategy based on on-going assessment of the monitoring feedback.
The overall vision for surface water management in the Como Watershed is to restore the natural drainage pattern of two separate sub-watersheds, Como/MacDonald and Booth/Popeye. A new drainage outlet at the highways for the Booth/Popeye subwatershed must be created in order to achieve t h i svision.
Restore the natural watershed drainage pattern (two separate sub-watersheds) -
eliminate the source of stream degradation. Once t h i s occurs watercourses can be restored to support healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems can be restored to watercourses. Daylighting piped sections of creek is an essential element of watercourse restoration.
Restore watercourses to their natural state - Restoring natural water balance will
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PUN
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FEBRUARY 2002
FINALREPORT
1I.3 Description of Watershed Actions

Table 11-1 defines the specific actions that are required to implement the strategies for short-term flood risk management and long-term watershed restoration. This table provides the following information for each specific action: Time-frame for implementation Management objectives City agency to take a lead role Estimated cost (new funds over and above staff time) Related plan element(s)
.
.
Table 1 1 1is the key deliverable of the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan. It provides an outline of what needs to be done to solve immediate problems and eventually achieve the 50-year vision of a restored watershed.
11.4 Overall Costs of the Watershed Actions

The overall costs associated with short-term flood r i s k management and long-term watershed restoration are summarized below.
Cost Estimates
I 1 1 I I 1
Management Objective
Short-term Flood Risk Management Long-term Watershed Restoration
Total
Short-term (0-5 yrs)

$7,050,00
Medium-term (5-20 yrs)

$0
Long-term (20-50 yrs)

$0
$835,000
$7,985,000
$2,965.000
$2.950.000
$2,950,000
$2, 965,000
(say $3 million)
(say $8 million)
(say $3 milion)
The t o t a l estimated cost of implementing the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan is close to $14 million over the next 50 years. About 56%of the total expenditures will be required over the next 5 years. The majority of these short-term expenditures (about 90%) are for flood risk management. The $7 million required for short-term flood risk management reflects the cost of dealing with the consequences of past development. If future redevelopment follows the same pattern as past development and occurs without a strategy for managing runoff at the source, it is likely that similar expenditures will be required to deal with future problems. There is clearly a need to improve future development practices. The magnitude of the required capital investment underscores the pressing need for an appropriate funding strategy.
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FEBRUARY 2002
FMAL REPORT
1I .5 Financing the Watershed Management Plan

Currently the only way to obtain funds for watershed management actions is from the Citfs general revenue. This makes implementation of the Como Watershed Plan very difficult because funding for individual projects must be approved by Council on a year by year basis. It is essential to establish a funding strategy to ensure the continued financing of much needed watershed improvements.
I I I I I 1 1 I
Stormwater Utilities
Establishing a stonnwuter utility would provide a continuous and self-liquidating source o f funds for implementing the Como Watershed Plan, and other stormwater management programs. Establishing a stormwater utility would provide a stable funding source for sustainable programs, which allows for long-term strategic planning and reduce reliance on reactive stormwater management. The Local Government Act provides the legislative authority to establish a stormwater Utility.
To set up a Stormwater Utility, the City must first make the following decisions:
P
City-wide or Watershed-based Stormwater Utility? - This decision comes down to
the question who shouldpay?. Collecting money from all Coquitlam residents to finance improvements in the Como Watershed could be perceived as unfair to residents outside the watershed. However, a city-wide drainage utility would give the City flexibility to finance future stormwater management activities in other parts of the City. decision relates to the question what is the easiest and most politically acceptable way to implement a drainage utilty?. The cities of Surrey and North Vancouver, for example, h i s facilitated have both opted for a combined Sanitary/Stormwater Utility because t political acceptance. Various cases in Washington State (notably Bellevue and Bellingham) have successfully established separate stormwater utilities.
o Separate Stormwater Utility or Combined Sanitq/Stormwater Utility? - This
I
I I I I I I
In order to develop an appropriate long-term financing strategy for a stormwater utility, it is important to determine what programs will be funded through the utility. These may include operation and maintenance, capital improvements, development regulation, monitoring, emergency response, and education. It is also important to determine how these programs will be phased in.
Once the scope of the stormwater utility (i.e. programs to be funded) is determined, the utility rates, and a plan for phasing in these rates can be established. A general financing principle of a stormwater utility is that rates are based on the costs (and benefits) of the services provided (i.e. user pays). Part of the revenue for a utility may also be derived from Development Costs Charges. It usually takes about 2 to 3 years to start up a utility, and initially, there may be a need for some working capital to establish the utility.
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F ~ L R T
Development Cost Charges

Another option for funding watershed improvements would be to rely on Development Cost Charges in the Como Watershed. This would transfer some of the City's watershed management costs to future developers. This is not equitable because:
.
=
the bulk of the City's expenditures are required to solve current problems, which are the result of past development in the watershed. the source storage retrofit strategy ensures that future developers will pay their share. The costs associated with source storage and infiltration facilties will add to the total costs of each individual redevelopment project.
A stormwater u t i l i t y is the only appropriate funding mechanism available to the City.
11.6 Measuring Success

As watershed improvements are implemented over time, it is important to monitor the success of watershed restoration, measure progress towards the 50-year vision, and constantly improve integrated watershed management solutions. This is the foundation of an adaptive approach. The change in rainfall-runoff response is a key indicator for monitoring success. A key target is to reduce total runoff volume to less than 10% of total rainfall volpme. A more refined target would be to replicate the hydrograph for natural forested conditions, which can be defined using a calibrated watershed model. An expanded rainfall and streadow monitoring network is key to the monitoring and modelling components of an adaptive approach
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Chapter 12 Conclusions and .Recornmendations
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COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PARTC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
FINAL REPORT FEERUARY 2002
CHAPTER 12
Conclusions and Recommendations

12.1 Conclusions
The, key conclusions from the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan are summarized below.
1. Watershed Objectives - The primary objectives for the Como Watershed are to
provide immediate flood relief and to restore the health of the watershed over time.
2. Flood Risk Management - The risk of flooding can be reduced in the short-term
through a combination of improvements to the existing stormwater system including:
I
I I I I I I I I I I I
. . . .
Improved flow management in the Lowlands Removal of the private bridge constricting Booth Creek Structural improvements at high-risk culverts, including installation of bedload interception facilities. Improvements to increase the storage capacity of Como Lake
3. Watershed Restoration - The key to long-term watershed restoration is restoring

natural water balance and reducing watercourse erosion to natural levels. A key h i s regard is to reduce total runoff volume to less than 10%of total rainfall target in t volume. This can only be accomplished by retrofitting the watershed with source storage and infiltration facilities as re-development occurs. retrofit the watershed must be implemented through an adaptive approach with:
4. Adaptive Management - The changes in development practices that are needed to
initial changes based on monitoring of pilot projects and consultation with developers and landowners.
continuous improvement based on monitoring and assessment of watershed restoration over time.
5. Data Collection and Modelling - Good baseline hydrologic data is essential to
enable the monitoring, modelling, and ongoing refinement of watershed management solutions. Expansion of the rainfall and streamflow monitoring network is needed to provide this baseline data. necessary to enable the sustained capital investment (i.e. almost $8 million in the first 5 years plus another $6 million over a 50-year period) that is required to resolve flooding and erosion problems and to achieve watershed restoration.
6. Funding - A drainage utility and an appropriate strategy for project financing are
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FINAL R E P O R T
The CURE for the Como Watershed

Restoring watershed health requires an integrated approach. The following elements must all work together to CURE the Como Watershed:
0
CAPRAL INVESTMENT - Providing immediate flood relief requires short-term capital investment to improve the performance of the existing drainage system. A financing strategy for watershed improvements is clearly needed in the short-term.
UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE - Improving the understanding of the watershed, the
nature of its problems, and the effectiveness of technical solutions is key to an adaptive approach, which optimizes watershed management practices over time. Greater understanding can be gained through data collection, monitoring and modelling. development regulations are needed to drive the source storage retrofit strategy that will restore natural water balance and eliminate the rout cause of drainage-related problems. be implemented without building support among c i t y staff, the general public, and the development community through education and consultation.
REGULATORY CHANGE - Changes in
EDUCATION AND CONSULTATION - Changes in development practices cannot
12.2 Recommendations
Over-arching Recommendation
Adopt-in-principle the Lowlands and Uplands components of the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan (as presented on Figures 4 1 and 9-1 respectively) subject to the development of a financing strategy. The following recommended actions flow from the above over-arching recommendation, and are key steps towards implementation of the Como Watershed Plan:
o Action #1-Expand the rainfall and streamflow monitoring network

o Action #2 Implement a flow control system in the Lowlands
Action #3 - Remove the private bridge constricting Booth Creek

-
o Action #4 Increase the stormwater detention capacity of Como Lake o Action #5
- Adopt an adaptive approach to source storage retrofit -
o Action #6 Proceed with pre-design for structural upgrades and bedload interception facilities at high-risk culvert installations o Action #7 Establish a drainage utility and associated financing strategy
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I 1 I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I 1 I
APPENDIX A RECORD OF WORKSHOPS
CITY OF COQUlTlAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #ICHARTERING OF CLIENT/CONSULTANT PROJECTTEAM
JANUARY ~OTH 2000
RECORD OF WORKING SESSION #1

DATE OF MEETING: DURATION: ATTENDED B Y
Mike Nihls Rob lnnes A I Kersey
January loth 2000 930am - 12:15pm
David Reid Ron Kistritz
AGENDA ITEMS:
See next page for a listing of the five agenda items and the scope of the discussion under each. The Agenda is supplemented by a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation that provided a framework for brainstorming. & i s framework was adhered to closely.
PURPOSE OF SESSION
Charter the Client/Consultant Project Team to: Clarlfygoals Define roles Clady expectations Build alignment Establish operating guidelines Make use of collective resources & knowledge
0 0
A critical element of the project delivery process is 'endorsement'. This means securing the commitment of the stakeholders to cooperate and work towards a successful project outcome.
Endorsement is an ongoing process that requires period reaffirmation as the Watershed Management Plan evolves.
OUTCOMEOFSESSION:
The direction and/or action items arising from the session are highlighted as follows.:
1. Agreed on the Vision Statement below. This is to be validated
by the other stakeholders in subsequent working sessions. The emphasis is on managing expectations and maintaining a reality-based time perspective for improving conditions.
Through an integrated management plan, the goal of the City is to protect property, support development, and preserve and over time enhance the natural environment in the Como Creek watershed.
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CITY OF COPUITlAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN WORKING SESSION #ICHARTERINGOF CLIENTICONSULTANT PROJECT TEAM
JANUARY 1oTH2000
2. Selected Jan 19th for a 'creek walkabou? to familiarize the Steering Committe with existing conditions in the ravines and on the floodplain. Include the Como Streamkeepers Group.
6 t h and April 5 t h for the next two'working 3. Selected Feb 1 sessions ( W S #2 and WS #3).
This will provide targets for focussing the work effort of the
team. Invite agencies to participate in the working sessions to get their buy-in to process
4.
Theme for WS #2 will be "Analysis of the Problem". Provide background and have some initial thoughts for agencies. For purposes of discussion, include 'parks and recreation' with the 'land use' component. December 15th 1999 flood overflows at Sheridan culvert inlet and at Schoolhouse Street underscore urgency of situation.
5.
Provide a science-based understanding. Previous work has been hampered by a lack of science and differing objectives. There is no uniform, reliable, robust model of what is existing. Need a practical predictive hydraulic model for flood routing. Make use of existing models to the extent possible (e.g. for survey cross-sections and boundary water level conditions). Approach to modelling will be based on applying commonsense in order to ensure effective use of the limited budget. . Immediate purpose of modelling is to generate peak flow values for testing scenarios for improved flood routing through the lowlands.
6. Mandate is to create options for consideration by City. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the watershed to build support for resolving immediate flood risks.
Complexity is induced because of Fraser River flood risk, lack of dyking, seismic concerns, and MOTHcorridors. Lack of science, differing objectives between the levels of government, and lack of money are three noteworthy factors that have historically hampered development of a comprehensive solution to flood hazards in the lowlands.
7. Cross-fertilize with the current OCP process. Provide an understanding of the issues, and identrfy where stormwater management policy should be incorporated in OCP. DATE ISSUED:
January 3lSt 2000
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CITY OF COQUlTLAM PIAN COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT WORKING SESSION #ICHARTERING OF CLIENT/CONSULTANTPROJECT TEAM
JANUARY IOTH 2000
AGENDA
Time S l o t
0930 - 0940 0940 - 1000
Topic and Scope of Discussion

Welcome and Introductions (by Neil Nyberg) Setting the Context for Chartering (Bill Hayes) 0 why we're here 0 goals for this session desired deliverables 0 roles 0 agenda for session terms of engagement
~~
1000 - 1100
Purpose (Kim Stephens) project vision, purpose, deliverables 0 critical success factors performance measures 0 barriers, opportunities 0 guiding principles Roles & Responsibilities, and Operating Guidelines (Bill Hayes & Kim Stephens) identify roles and responsibilitiesfor 'clienVconsultantteam' 0 reporting structure communications decisions resolving conflicts evaluating team performance Work Program Elements (Kim Stephens, David Reid and Ron Kistritz) information and mapping to be provided by City details of program elements (engineering, land use, fisheries, communications) 0 selection of attendees for future workshops Follow-Through Plan & Commitments (Bill Hayes) documenting our charter getting it endorsed (who, how) investments required of us to make it work 0 benefits to us
1100 - 1120
1120 1205
1205- 1215
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City of Coquitlam
Como Creek Watershed Management Plan Working Session #'I Chartering of Client/Consdtant Project Team
January10,2000
Chartering
A term borrowed from the British sovereign system King or Queen granted or chartered certain rights or privileges on an individual Privileges often in form of property and the right to own it Given in exchange for a percentage of profits from the land or a tax
Chartering a Project Team

Conveys certain authorities and resources to the team and team members Authority has a defined boundary and scope of work In return the team is responsible for generating certain results The definitionof the purpose, scope, goals, behaviors and roles and relationships is the charteringprocess
W h y Charter the Team?

To clarify goals To define roles To clanfy expectations To build alignment To establish operating guidelines To make better use of collective resources and knowledge
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Chartering will include:

Project purpose Vision Measures of Success Roles and Responsibilities Operating Guidelines
Project Delivery Process Chartering Workplan Endorsement of the Project
Workplan will include:

Scope & Tasks Resources Schedule and Milestones Budget Client Information and Involvement Change Management
Endorsement
Not just the approval of the workplan On-going commitment of the stakeholders to work toward a successful project Substantiated in a document that is signed by all stakeholders to the project All the stakeholders buy into the project for its successful for execution
Endorsement
Not a single event (e.g. approving the workplan) An ongoing process Recurs when buy-in is needed to accommodate change during project execution Informed Involvement Collaboration (open process)
Agenda Items
Setting the Context pili) Purpose O<im) Roles and Responsibilities @ili B Kim) Work Program Elements meream) FOllOW-ThrOugh mill)
Goals for Working Session

Define a Common Understanding
Terms of Engagement
Establish Protocols for Study Execution Select Dates for Next Two Workshops Identify Attendees for Workshops
Funding in place for all four phases? Build a ClientKonsultantpartnership!
~~
Project Management Objectives
Vision Statement
Through an integrated management plan.
Spend budget wisely Solve problems Evolve the deliverables
the goal of the Cifyis to protect property, support development, and preserve and
over time enhance the natural environment in the Como Creek watershed.
The Goal is to Integrate:
Purpose
Apply a science-based approach to create a shared vision of achievable goals Facilitate a participatory decision urocess to build stakeholder consensus and agree on expectations
Sharing a Vision Requires
an Integrated Approach to...

Reduce Flood Hazards Prevent Stream Erosion Protect Aquatic Habitat Improve Water Quality
Phased Approach
Phase 1:Interim Plan Phase 2: Decision Framework Phase 3: Planning Scenarios Phase 4: Integrated Plan
~~
Deliverables
Process: Working sessions that develop a shared vision Products: A strategy, a plan, and a report that support and make the shared vision a reality Communication: A key to action is understanding
what needs to be done where, why and how
Critical Success Factors
Science-Based Credibility Common Understanding Working Sessions
Measures of Success for...
Barriers & Opportunities for....
Process Products Communications
Process Products Communications
Roles, Responsibilities and Operating Guidelines

Reporting S,mcture Communications Decisions Resolving Conflicts Evaluating Performance
Work Plan Elements
Engineering Land Use Fisheries Communications
Engineering Objectives
Modelling Appropriate to the Decision Needed

Why are we building the model? How will the model be applied? What problems will the model solve?
Stabilize the eroding ravines Bridge creek channels at road crossings Daylight piped sections of creek channel Route floodflows through the floodplain Create a drainage outlet under the highways
Scope of Modelling Workshop
Cross-Fertilization with OCP Process
Hydrology Concepts Land Use Implications Modelling Rationale
In Phase 1, Como inputs to OCP In Phase 2, OCP influences Como
Aquatic Habitat Assessment

I
Building Consensus
Level 1: Within the Steering Committee Level 2: Among the key watershed stakeholders Level 3: Among the broader community
Develop an Ecosystem Overview Identify and Fill Critical Data Gaps Prioritize Ecosystem Values Integrate Ecosystem Values
I
WORKING SESSION #2 HYDROLOGY WORKSHOP
CllY OF COQUmAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
FEBRUARY 16m 2000

DATE OF MEETING: DURATION ATTENDED B Y February 16" 2000 8:40am - 12:40pm City Steering Committee Ken Wright, Chair Mike Nihls Rob Innes Randv Evans CH2M Team Fed/ProvAgencies & Streamkeeper Group Scott Barrett, MELP Lisa Christensen, DFO Vince Busto, DFO Pamela Zevit, C W G
Kim Stephens David Reid Ron Kistritz PhiliD Cheune
AGENDA ITEMS:
See the attached copy of the Agenda for a listing of the five agenda topics and the scope of discussion under each. The Agenda was complemented by a PowerPoint presentation that was adhered to closely. The workshop format comprised a series of short presentations, with each followed by a discussion period.
PURPOSE OF SESSION:
Begin to build alignment among the stakeholders, and gain commitment to developing a shared vision for the watershed by:
1. Providing a forum for stakeholder participation 2. Developing a common understanding of hydrology 3. Providing a clear picture of the flood threat in the lowlands
At the end of the session, it was concluded that there was general agreement on objectives and approach, and a common understanding of hydrology concepts and the flood threat, but more work was needed to develop a 'shared vision' of what the future might look like for the watershed. VISION STATEMENT: The draft Vision Statement developed by the Steering Committee was presented to the other stakeholders for validation. This generated sigruhcant discussion and resulted in two modified versions as presented below. The choice of wording will be finalized at the April workshop: Preferred Version: Through an integrated management plan, the goal o f the City is to balance protection o f property, responsible development, and environmental presmation and restoration throughout the Como Creek watershed. Alternative Version: Through an integrated management plan, the goal o f the City is to. protect property, accommodate responsible development, and conserve and Over time restore the natural environment.
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT P W WORKINGSESSION#2 HYDROLOGY WORKSHOP
clrv OF COQUillAM
FEBRUARY 16" 2000
1 1 4
PARTICIPANT ROLES:
The Como Creek Watershed Management Plan is a year long process that involves a total of 1 1working sessions. At the start of the workshop, the four new participants were asked two questions: how do you see your role evolving in this workshop process; and what are your expectations for what we can collectively accomplish? The responses are summarized below: Name Scott Barrett Role and Expectations
A s the primary lead for the Province, his expectations are two-fold develop alternative development standards; and streamline the environmental review process
Lisa Christensen Vince Busto Pamela Zevit

'
Her role is to be the primary lead for DFO H i s role is to provide Lisa with technical support on stormwater management issues In representing the Como Watershed Group (streamkeepers), her expectations are two-fold: enhance the existing partnership with the City; and develop common goals, with a habitat emphasis
DELNERABLES:
The following handouts were included in the handout package, u l f i l the Phase 1 and will be incorporated in the final report to f deliverables: Summary of previous reports on flood control in lowlands These enable a comparison of conditions in 2000 versus 1975. Analysis of existing watershed policies and risks - This provides a starting point for making improvements to bylaws and regulations.
8
, ,
OUTCOME OF SESSION.
The final agenda item was an around-the-table recap. Everyone was asked to state whether his or her expectations were fulfilled, and what had been accomplished.
Name Ken Wright
Achieved objectives, but need to work on the
Comments
Lisa Christensen Vince Busto Scott Barrett Pamela Zevit
I and the need for impervious area controls I Good overview. Looking forward to the details. I Land development issues are critical to DFO
I
Interested to see how urocess wiU unfold. Good to see the focus on b&ws. Pleased to see focus on land use changes. Thought Dave Reid's summary was excellent. Need to consider political climate and will. Stakeholder involvement an issue with Council.
I
2
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PLAN COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT WORKING SESSION #2 HYDROLOGY WORKSHOP
CITY OF COQUITLAM
FEBRUARY 16TH 2000
HIGHLIGHTS:
Key observations and/or action items arising from the session are highlighted as follows:
1. The City selected Como Creek as a pilot program for a watershed management planning process because there are real and immediate problems that need solving (because they are consuming a disproportionate share of City resources). Como will build on the Stoney Creek process and become a model for a fully integrated approach that addresses land use, engineering, and ecological issues. The intent is that
2 . The initial work effort by the Study Team has been directed into providing a clear picture of existing watershed conditions. Once stakeholders have a common understanding of the 'big picture', it simplifies the process of getting into the details to solve problems. To this end, an important graphic is the one that identifies 'problem locations'. The objective is to provide a context and perspective for qualitatively evaluating the relative magnitude and severity of the problem types.
3. The City is making improvements to the recently installed
Como and Booth streamflow gauging stations. Once the QA/QC protocols are established, the stations should provide a reliable long-term means of calibrating, validating and finetuning the runoff simulation model for the Como watershed. In the interim, a 'planning level' approach (using the OTTHYMO model) will be applied to generate preliminary design values for floodway and drainage outlet analyses. Because different approaches and/or strategies are required, it is necessary to apply multi-level thinking to fundamental aspects of the study, notably:
4.
Lowlands versus uplands drainage Big storms versus small storms
5. Through its watershed health classification system, the GVRD has developed a relationship between Riparian Integrity @ I ) and Total Impervious Area (TIA), and has rated Como as 'poor' in comparison to other watersheds in the Greater Vancouver region. The significance of t h i s comparison is that it provides a starting point for determining how Como's rating can be shifted (either by reducing TIA or increasing R I ) , especially when correlated with Stoney Creek to the west. Impervious area reduction will be the subject of Workshop #6.
6. An issue that needs better definition is that of 'hydraulic stress' on the fisheries resource (e.g. how would the fishery react to adjustments in the MAF/Baseflow ratio?).
DATE ISSUED
1 s t 2000 February 2
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CnV OF COQUITlAM
WORKING SESSION #2 HYDROLOGY WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 16" 2000
AGENDA
Time Slot
B D

Introducethe Study Team and the workshop process Explain the workshop purpose, objectives and desired outcome Present the Como Creek Vision Statement for validationby the participants w Ask new participantsto state their interests in, and expectations, for the process Our Approach to Como Creek Watershed Management (Kim Stephens) Review the four phases comprising the study work program Explain how the Stoney Creek model provides a foundation upon which to build Elaborate on what an "integrated approach" means, including the building blocks Explainthe graphic that illustratesthe impact of changes in runoff patterns 0 Summarize watershed-based objectives for integratedstormwater management 0 Introducefundamental hydrology principles for watercourse stabilization. Questions and Comments on the Approach (Kim Stephens and D. Reid)
1830 - 0900 Framework for Workshop (Ken Wright)
I900 - 0930
0930-0945
1945 - 1015
Is there general agreement on the objectives and approach? Are there specific items or issues that should be added or deleted? 0 Are there related initiatives that could provide inputs or assistance? Analysis of Como Creek Natural Hazard and Flood Risks (Stephens & Philip Cheung)
0 0 0 0
1015 - 1030 1030 - 1100 1100 - 1125
Provide a synopsis of previous investigations and reports Identify problem locations and potential risks (i.e. both for ravines and lowlands). Why build a model? 0 0 How will the model be applied? 0 What problems will the model help us solve? Break Discussion of Como Creek Natural Hazard and Flood Risks (Kim Stephens & D. Reid) Are there risks that have not been listed? Are there preconceived solutions to the flooding risks? Aquatic Ecosystem Overview: Resources to be Protected (Ron Kistiritz)
0
1125-1145 1145 - 1200
Provide a perspective of the Como Creek watershed within a regional context Outline the approach to assessing major environmental values and limitations Discussion of Aquatic Habitat Assessment (Ron Kistritz & D. Reid)
0
0
Are there habitat issues that have not been listed? Are there preconceived solutions to the habitat risks? Land Use Policies and Regulations Review (David Reid)
1200 - 1215
Present a synopsis of what is existing Identify strengths as well as opportunitiesfor improvement 0 Assess risks and issues that might affect the future of the watershed Discussion of Land Use Policies and Regulations (David Reid & Kim Stephens)
0
Are there land use/development issues that have not been listed? Are there Preconceivedsolutions to the land use risks?
1215 - 1230 Next Steps: How do we build on this foundation? (Ken Wright)
0
Ask the participantsto state whether their expectations were fulfilled
0 0
Highlight what has been accomplished through the workshop process Summarize any action items arising from the discussion Establish date of next workshop 'fonrm', and attendance
11N25535
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Como Creek Watershed Management Plan

I
City o f Coquitlam
Workshop Agenda
1
Working Session #2 Hydrology Workshop

(Statement of the Problem)
February 16th 2000

I
Frameworkfor Workshop Process Approach to Watershed Management Analysis of Hazard and Flood Risks Aquatic System Overview Land Use Policies & Regulations Review Next Steps
Framework for Workshop Process

The Study Team Overview of Issues and Process Objectives and Desired Outcome Vision Statement Stakeholder Expectations
Issues
Flood Problem Areas Impervious Cover (53%) Storm Sewer System Land Use UpZoning Stream Stewardship
Session Objectives
I
Desired Outcome
I
ll
II
Fonrm for stakeholder participation Common understandingof hydrology Clear picture of the flood threat
Clear understandingof the problem Commitment to develop a shared vision
a
Vision Statement
L
Interests & Expectations

(Questions for the new partidpan&)
Through an integratedmanagement plan, the goal of the City is to protect property, support development, and preserve and over time enhance the natural environmenl in the Como Creek watershed
How do you see your role evolving in this workshop process? What are your expectationsfor .what we can collectively accomplish?
ll
'
l
The Goal is to Integrate:

1
Time-Line for Action

r
1
Near-Term: Priodtyis to protect life and prop* 2O-Year Horlzon: Polidesand programsthat
build support for 50-year vision
50-Year Horizon: Poiides and programs tha~ result in stream enhancement
Phase 1 Flood Risk Mitigation

r
I
WS #l Startup, Stakeholder Selection WatershedlLand UselRegulationReview WS #2 Hydrology Workshop Hydrology and Hydraulic Modelling Flood Mitigation Concept PlanlReport WS #3 Flood Mitigation Plan Review
IL
Phase 2 Issues & Objectives

Aquatic Habitat Assessment WS #4 Fisheties/EnvironmentalIssues Integrated Habitaaand UselHydrology Issues Statement WS #5 Potential Actions Workshop Decision Making Framework
'11
11
Il r
-
Phase 3 Planning Scenarios

I
Develop Options (20-yr and 50-yr horizons) WS #6 Impervious Area Reduction Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy WS #7 Strategy Review Workshop Land Use and Development Action Plan Communications Strategy WS #8 Regulations/Communlcatlons
a
I
Phase 4 Integrated Plan
Draft Summary Report WS #9 Review Draft Report Revised Draft Summary Report WS #10 Finalize Draft Repori Final Summary Report WS #lI Final Presentation
The Stoney Creek Model

Apply a science-based approach to create a shapd vision of achievable aoals
II
Facilitate a DarticiDatorv declslon &cess to build stakeholder mnsensus and agree on expectations
Obtain political commitment to integrated stormwater and

streammanagement
'Changes in Hydrology"
Same Rainfall + Change the Land Cover
Different Runoff Pattern
Different Strategies for Different Storms
Mitigation of Small Storms Key to Watercourse Stabilization I

the MAF determines the channel mss-sedion an increasing MAF = channel instability = erosion rainfall and runoff have return different periods a 2-year event is a "big storm" "small storms' have return periods e 2-years number of small runoff events increases magnitude of Mean Annual Flood increases tocI erosion = f (no. of runoff events natural MAF) bed material moved = f (velocity to the 6 t h power) erosion + sedimentation = habitat degradation ratio of MAF to winter baseflow also critical
Integrated Strategy
Flood Risk Management:
Accommodate and convey the "peak design event"(i.e. QIOO)
on the Approach for Como Creek

Is there general agreement on the objectives and approach?
Questions and Comments
Environmental Risk Management:

Reduce the frequency of small events; and Reduce the MAFlBaseflow ratio
Are there specific items or issues that should be added or deleted? Are there related initiatives that could provide inputs or assistance?
Analysis of Natural Hazard and Flood Risks

Synopsis of Previous Investigations
(1975.1989.1990.1993and 1998 reports)
Problem Locations and Potential Risks
Overview of Previous Reports
Scope limited to lowlands drainage Focus on the strip btw Lougheed & Fraser Emphasize hydraulic modelling Present a complex and confus'ing picture
1
Key Findings for Lowlands
Conditions in 2000 are improved over those in 1975, and flooding frequency has been reduced, but:
- Trans-Canada Highway is still a barrier - Drainage system is still looped - Channels still have limited floodway capacity
Key Findings for Ravines

r
I
II
Como Creek ravine is unstable, whereas Booth Creek ravine is stable Culvert inlets at Austin and Rochester road crossings (3) are vulnerable to obstruction/blockage Major roadfills are not designed as water retaining structures
Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analyses

I
Why build a model?
How will the model be applied?

What problems will the model help solve?
Considerations
c
I
I
Approach for Hydrology Analysis

1
Start simple
Use the simplest tool to do the job Use "real" data
OTTHYMOANTERHYMO -use larger subcatchments - estimate flows for flood risk planning -estimate flows for environmental risk planning evaluate land use impact - evaluate alternatives
Approach for Hydraulic Analysis

~ ~~
Approach for Hydraulic Analysis

r
I
Use hydraulic models set up in previous studies ? review and validate previous models for this project or, set up new model using existing model data .
HECRAS, XP-SWMM for evaluation of
hydraulics downstream
-determine flood inundation levels - determine flow velocities -analyze stream management analyze erosion protection requirements
.._
.
Evaluate Alternatives
~~
Evaluate Alternatives
Downstream alternatives
-improve culvert capacities (size, grading) improve channel connectivity -drainage diversion consolidate flow channels & paths creation of flood zones (wetlands. ponds) improve grading and profile
Upstream alternatives
- improve culvert capacities (size, grading) - improve entrance & exit of culvert crossings -high level diversions stormwater management to control or improve drainage
i
1 .
1
. I I
Aquatic Ecosystem Overview
Como Creek watershed within a regional context Assessing major environmental values and limitations
Lotic Ecosystem Indicators
GVRD's Watershed Health Classification System

% Total impervious Area (%TIA)
- where water cannot infiltrateinto soil or ground - percent of continuous forest cover within a 60
metre riparian corridor
% Riparian Forest integrity (%RFI)
IJ
i l Assessing Major Environmental

Prognoses & Questions
1
Values and Limitations

Step # :I Step #2! Step #3: Step #4: Step #5:
R W ~ Waxiruq wopt~ysifal hfonnation
FIUdtid hfonna(i0n oaps
m p hab(lat w and IIIWOPS

F~SIWLBand EnvimnmeWWorkshop
imepraion WMI h y d m t e m ~ ~g~iremanb ~ ~
Step #2:
I
~ii critical i information gaps

1
step #3: Map habitat values and limitations
* Temporakpatial drainage patterns
Functional values of minor watercourses Overwinteringjuvenile salmon downstream of Trans Canada Highway
Discussion of Aquatic Habitat Assessment

I
Land Use Policies and Regulations Review

I
II
Are there habitat issues that have not been listed? Are there preconceivedsolutions to the habitat risks?
Present a synopsis of what is existing Identify strengths and opportunities for improvement Assess risks and issues that might affect the future of the watershed
Discussion of Land Use Policies and Regulations

I I
II
II
II
How do we build on this foundation?
1I
1I
Are there land use/developmentissues that have not been listed? Are there pre-conceived solutions to the land use risks?
Expectationsfulfilled? What has been accomplished? Action items Next workshop
CITY OF COQUITlAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #3 FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW

April 5* 2000 1:OOpm - 500pm
APRIL
2000
DATE OF MEETING: DURATION

ATI'ENDED BY:
Citysteering committeeKen Wright, Chair Mike Nihls Rob Innes Randy Evans Dave Palidwor
AgenciestkWatershed Stakeholders Kim Stephens I Scott Barrett, MEW David Reid Lisa Christensen, DFO Ron Kistritz Vince Busto, DFO Philip Cheung Pamela Zevit, CWG Barb Warmer. Business ReD
CH2MTeam
AGENDA ITEMS: PURPOSE OF SESSION
See the attached copy of the Agenda for a listing of topics. The Agenda was complemented by a PowerPoint presentation. Reach consensus on the elements of an integrated plan for the Fraser Mills lowlands, and gain commitment to working towards a shared vision for the watershed by:
1. Finalizing the wording of the Vision Statement 2. Understanding the nature of the historical flooding problem 3. Developing a matrix of the pros and cons for each element of the integrated plan
The format involved an overview-type presentation followed by a 'facilitated discussion' to promote a two-way sharing of ideas. VISION STATEMENT: Two versions of a draft Vision' Statement were considered by the Steering Committee. The wording of the preferred version was finalized as follows:
Through an integrated management plan, the goal o f the City is to time balance protection of property, responsibZe development, and & G d s for environmental preservation and restoration throughout the Como Creek watershed.
PARTICIPANT ROLES DELIVERABLES: The Stakeholder Group was expanded to include Barb Wagner as a representative from the local business community.
A set of six poster-size drawings suitable for public display provided the focus for discussion on the elements of an integrated plan that provides flood relief while enabling habitat restoration.
The deliverable resulting from the session was the matrix summarizing the pros and cons for each element. DATE ISSUED April 12th 2000
112\125S5
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CITY OF COWTIAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN WORKINGSESSION #3 FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW
APRIL 5m 2000
OUTCOMEOFSESSION
At the end of the session, there was consensus on the basic concept for surface water management in the lowlands:
0
Consider the watershed as two sub-watersheds: ComoMcDonald, and Booth-Popeye Improve the existing 'drainage outlet' at the Lougheed and Trans-Canada highways to serve the Como-McDonald tributary area Create a new 'drainage outlet' at the two highways to serve the Booth-Popeye tributary area
Attached is a completed matrix that captures the pros and cons (as identified during the brainstorming session) for each plan element. Arising from the discussion were these six issues:
1 . How should the bedload distribution be managed at the Booth-Popeye diversion?
2.
Should settling ponds be located in Booth or Popeye? (i.e. Element#2)
3. Would construction of the proposed Popeye crossing of the Trans-Canada Highway result in deleterious water quality?
4.
What is the fate of the Highway Loop? Should it be kept open or closed? If kept open, how should it be managed?
5. Should the Inter-Channel (Element #11) at the Trans-Canada be used as a water quality benefit for Como? (Consensus= yes)
6.
Is a settling pond near Casey Place required for Como Creek?
The final agenda was an around-the-table recap.

Name Dave Palidwor
Mike Nihls
I Comments I Demonstrates complexity of system. Need I look at tradeoffs for each element.
I Tradeoff
t o
is the defininn word. Do we need
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CnV OF COPUlllAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

WORKlNQ SESSION #3
- FLOOD
APRIL 5m 2000
MfflGATlON PLAN REVIEW
DETAILS OF AGENDA ITEMS

rime Slot
2 5 5 1:20
,
Framework for Workshop (Ken Wright) 0 Outline the workshop purpose, objectives, format, and desired outcome 0 Finalize the wording of the Vision Statement 0 Review the documentation for the January IOth and February 1 6 ' hworkshops Overview of Historical Flooding Problems (Kim Stephens) 0 Present Figures 1.2 and 3 to provide a context 0 Establish guiding principles for problem-solving 0 Outline the participatory approach to plan development Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief Part 1 Discussion
{Facilitated and Interactive Discussion, with David Reid as Moderator)
0 0
1 :20 1:40
1:40 - 3:15
Present Figure 4 to establish a frame-of-referencefor brainstorming Introduce Figure 5 ("the elements plan") to initiate the brainstorming Brainstormingdiscussion to compile a matrix of pros and cons for each plan element
3:15- 3:30 3:30 - 4:45
Break Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief Part 2 Discussion

Facilitated and Interactive Discussion. with David Reid as Moderatotj
0 0
0
Complete the element-by-element brainstormingto compile a matrix of pros and cons Summarize the relevance and sensitivity of uncalibrated rainfall-runoff modelling Outline the approach to hydraulic modellingto test drainage outlet performance
4:45 - 500
Next Steps: How do we build on this foundation? (Ken Wright) 0 Ask the participantsto state whether their expectations were fulfilled 0 Summarize what was accomplished by the workshop 0 Summarize any action items arising from the discussion 0 Select dates for next two workshops, and attendance
112V25535
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L
City of Coquitlam
Phased Approach
(Building Blocks)
I
Working Session #3 Flood Mitigation Plan Review

("Elements of an Integrated Plan")
Phase 1: Interim Flood Mitigation Plan Phase 2: Environmental Issues & Objectives Phase 3: Environmental Planning Scenarios Phase 4: Integrated Management Plan
April 5 t h 2000
Workshop Agenda
L
Session Objectives
Vision Statement Nature of the Flooding Problem Elements of an Integrated Plan Next Steps
Understand nature of flood problem Develop a matrix for plan elements

Also:
- Finalize the Vision Statement - Approve the record of previous sessions - Schedule next two sessions
Desired Outcome
L
I
Reach consensus on the elements of an integrated plan for the lowlands Commitment to work towards a shared vision for the watershed
Vision Statement
(Alternative Version)
Through an integrated managementplan, the goal of the City is to protect property, accommodate responsibledevelopment, and conserve and over time restore the natural environment in the Como Creek watershed
Previous reports on lowlands drainage present a complex and confusing picture Our objective is to provide a clear picture of the problem causes

c
I
n
Problem Locations
I
Conditions in 2000 are improved over those in 1975, and flooding frequency has been reduced, but:
Of the11 'hot spots' on Figure 2:
- 6 are In the upstream ravines - 5 are in the lowlands

Schoolhouse Street
- Drainage system is still looped - No hydraulic controls to direct flow
-Two highways are still a barrier
- Channels still have limited floodway capacity

- Culvert openings still constricted by siltation - Popeye system still lacks a proper outlet
Of the 5 in the lowlands: - chronic locationfor flood ovemows is
- note correlation with flood inundation area
corresponding to El 4m as shown on Figure
3 1.
I,
I
Significance of December 15th 1999 Rainstorm

I
Observations on March 18th 2000 at the end of a 23mm rainfall

L
I
75mm in 24 hours Correspondsto 2-yr event 12th ranked event in 40 years of record 7th largest event in past 20 years Only 3 events in past 20 years > 80mm Only 10 times has annual been e60mm Minimum event in 40 years is 38mm
Lowlandchannels flowing 'bank full' Bank overflow east of Bargain Castle Bank overflow in 'Western Loop' Eastern TCH culvert 2/3 full New TCH culvert flowing almost full Central TCH culvert had some flow
Nature of the Problem
More surface runoff Flow concentration Water trapped
II
Existing control points have been established by

8
...
Good design practice results in these guidelines

Select a maximum allowable TWL (Top Water Level)
II
1
...
Lougheed Highway Culverts Trans-Canada Highway Culverts Fraser River Winter Tidal Range
Size waterway openings in roadways for 'zero surcharge' Consider duration of Fraser River winter high tide range
Consider watershed as two halves

17 Como 8 McDonald 08 0 0 t h 8 Popeye
9
s
jl
Hydrologic Modelling
(to generate design flows)
Create separate 'drainage outlets'
8 1
Ii
1
I
For now:
-build model input real storms -test sensitivity
After gauging stations upgraded:

-calibrate -verify and validate
1' 3
(to assess channel conveyance)
Hydraulic Modelling
I
I
1
Adapt existing model Input real storms

January 7968
* December 1999
Analyze performance with separate drainage outlets
WORKING SESSION #4 POTENTIAL ACTIONS WORKSHOP

7 :
CITY OF COQUITLAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
MAY5m2000
OUTCOMEOFSESSION: At"the end of the session there was consensus on the contents of each table. The attached second drafts capture the input from the group, and are attached. The final agenda item was an around-the-table-recap:
Name Rob lnnes
I The
Randy Evans
Pamela Zevit
I
I
Mike NihIs
Comments value of the process is. that it is building awareness within-the city that will result in funding support for Como projects. T h i s underscores the reality of having to balance competing interests Looking for concrete results. Needs reassurance that the process will solve the flooding problem that he has had to live with. Wants some hard numbers that give him comfort 1 Another productive session! Pleased that the group has been receptive to her suggestions, and that we have been able to look through each other's eyes. Will continue to offer her opinions. 1 Pleased with the process as it is unfolding. It is positive that there is real communication taking place, and that we are making the effort to
o f the day will need concrete capital projects to
create the second drainage outlet. Need formal signoff by everyone for the Plan Elements and the Matrix.
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COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN WORKING SESSION #4 POTENTIAL ACTIONS WORKSHOP
I
CITY OF COWITLAM
MAY 5m 2000

Topic and Scope of Discusslon
1255 - 1:15
Workshop Overview (Ken Wright)

0 0
Outline the workshop purpose, objectives, and desired outcome Validate the documentation for the three previous workshops
Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief Part 1 Discussion

0 0
Reaffirm the concept for surface water management as presented on Figures 4 and 5 Validate the matrix of pros and cons for each element of the integrated plan Decide on the appropriate time-frame for implementation of each element
3:OO - 3 ~ 1 5 Break for refreshments (and to move our cars before we get a parking ticket!) 3 ~ 1 5 3:30
Decision Framework for Watershed Planning (Kim Stephens)

0
Recap the process for developing a shared vision Describe the framework for making timely and effective decisions
3130-4:45

0 0 0
Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief Part 2 Discussion Review the list of interim measures proposed for implementation in 2000 Make decisions on what can be accomplished in 2000, and how to do that Develop a protocol for fast-tracking the approval process for the interim measures
4 ~ 4 5 5:OO
Next Steps: How do we build on this foundation? (Ken Wright)

0 0
Ask the participants to state what was accomplished Summarize action items arising from the discussion
11N 2 5 5 3 5
CHZM
City of Coquitlam

3
Workshop Agenda
Working Session #4 Potential Actions in 2000

(Elements of an Integrated Plan)
May 3rd 2000
Workshop Overview Elements of an Integrated Plan Decision Framework 2000 Action Plan Next Steps
Phased Approach
(Building Blocks)
Vision for Surface Water Management

0 Como 8 McDonald 0 Booth 8 Popeye
Phase 1: interim Flood Mitigation Pian Phase 2: Environmental issues & Objectives Phase 3: Environmental Planning Scenarios Phase 4: Integrated Management Plan
Create separate drainage outlets
Session Objectives
r
I
Finalize the matrix for plan elements Establish an implementationtimeline Confirm need for interim action
Also: -Validate the record of previous sessions Schedule next two sessions
Nature of the Problem

r
1
More surface runoff Flow concentration
Goals for Lowlands

L
I
,I
Present the elements of a plan that achieves the watershed goals Provide flood relief Restore aquatic habitat Define the function of each element within an 'integrated framework' Brainstormthe pros and cons of each element
Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief

Objectivesfor Part 1 Discussion
Reaffirm vision for surface water mgmt Validate the matrix of pros and cons Select time-frame for implementation
Issue Identification Arising from April 5th Workshop
Management of Booth bedload? Location of Booth-Popeyesettling ponds? Water quality at Popeye crossing of TCH? Fate of Highway Channel Loop? Function of Inter-Channel Wetland? Need for settling pond at Casey Place?

I
1
Near-Term: Priority is to protect life and property ZO-Year Horizon: Policies and programs that
50-Year Horizon: Policies and programs that restore natural hydrology and result in habitat restoration
I
~,
1 I 1
I
Develop a
Common Understanding
Illustrate ConceDts
Allow Individuals to Blend Concepts with

Own Experience
-t
r - l l I
Step#l Leadership & Commitment

Council endorsed Stoney Model Council approved Como funding Steering Committee formed

Apply a science-based approach to create a shared vision of
Step #2 Frame the Problem

Conditions in 2000 are improved over those in 1975. and flooding frequency has been reduced, but:
achievable qoals
F M
and agree on expectations
to bund stakeholder consensus
decision process
i a parUclpatory
- Two highways are still a barrier - Drainage system is still looped - No hydraulic controls to direct flow
-Channels still have limited floodway capacity -Culvert openings still constricted by siltation Popeye system still lacks a proper outlet
Step # 3 Develop Value Model & Formulate Alternatives
Vision Statement
"Through an integrated management pian, . the goal of the City is to over time balance protection of property, responsible development, and the needs for environmental preservation and restoration throughout the Como Creek watershed"
Levels of Watershed & Stream Protection

J
Step # 4 Collect Meaningful, Reliable Data

Assess current Habitat Values and Watershed Responsethrough:
If Status Quo means a continuation of current practices, then the result will be "Continued Declinen
Hence: 20-Year Vision is to Wold the Line" 50-Year Vision is to *'Improve Conditions
Fisheries Workshop Field Investigations Water Quantity Monitoring Modelling of Stream Flows
. ,-
Each decisionmaker has to rely in part on their own
If can restore natural hydrology, then: -runoff frequency and magnitude reduced - risk of flood overflow reduced - erosion and sedimentation minimized
And the aquatic habitat would also benefit
evaluate the
alternatives.
Elements of an Integrated Plan for Flood Relief

Objectives for Part 2 Discussion Review 2000 Action Plan Make decisions Fast-track approval process
Objectives of 2000 Action Plan

L
Components of 2000 Action Plan
,
Demonstratethat City is taking action Improveflow management at TCH Develop a measurement-based model
Flood Relief Computer Modelling Flow Management Environmental Management
Modelling Hierarchy
Strategic Decisions
Modelling Framework
I
J
Policy Evaluation
Master Plans
Why build a model?
How will the model be applied?

What problemswill the model help solve?
How do we build on this foundation?
Next Steps:
Expectationsfulfilled? What has been accomplished Action items? Dates for next workshops?
CITY OF COQUmAM
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #5 FISHERIES & ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP
DRAFT FOR REVIEW
JUNE 2 P 2000
I(
AGENDA FOR WORKING SESSION #5

DATE OF MEETING: AGENDA ITEMS: TIME ALLOCATION: PARTICIPANTS:
Ken Wright, Chair Mike Nihls Rob Innes Randy Evans
June 28th 2000 See 2 n d page for topics and discussion notes 1:lOpm to 5:lOpm
CH2M Team
Kim Stephens David Reid
Agencies &Watershed Stakeholders Scott Barrett, MELP Lisa Christensen, DFO Pamela Zevit, CWG
WORKSHOP FORMAT PURPOSE OF SESSION:
Presentations followed by facilitated discussion periods Finalize the framework for an integrated plan for flood relief and habitat restoration in the Fraser Mills lowlands. Set the n d half scene for development of an Uplands Strategy in the 2 of 2000 These are listed below:
1. Validate the record of the May 3rd workshop
SESSION OBJECTIVES:
2. Finalize the Interim Report on the Lowlands Strategy

3. Present results of June 1 0 t h fisheries working session
4. Define management objectives for each creek reach

5. Introduce approach to developing the Uplands Strategy DESIRED OUTCOME DELIVERABLES: Obtain agency concurrence for the Lowlands Strategy (i.e. the first of two components of the Integrated Plan) The deliverables for presentation and review during the workshop are:
0
The May 2000 I n t e r i m Report on Strategyfbr Fruser M i l l s Lowlands (note: draft submitted to City on May 26th) The Aquatic Habitat Assessment prepared by Ron Kistritz following the June 1 0 t h workshop with the Como Watershed Group (CWG)
NEXT WORKSHOP
Last week of September 2000
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CHZM
Cm OF COQUmAM
WORKING SESSION #5 FISHERIES & ENVIRONMENTWORKSHOP
DRAFT FOR RMEW
JUNE 25" 2000

~~
rime Slot

Workshop Overview (Ken Wright & Kim Stephens) Outline the workshop purpose, objectives, and desired outcome Comment on the lowland and upland components of the Integrated Plan Recap the 'two-track' approach to plan development Review the steps in the decision framework, and where we are now
:oo- 1:20
1:20 - 2115
Interim Report on Strategy for Fraser Mills Lowlands {Facilitatedand Interactive Discussion, with Dave Reid as Moderator)
0 0 0
Review report format for consolidating workshop outcomes (Kim Stephens) Introduce the ecosystem concept of 'functional equivalency' (Ron Kistritz) Provide feedback on desired refinements to report contents (City) Confirm basis for agency signoff on Lowlands Strategy (DFO, MELP) Provide a regional context for assessing Como Creek watershed health Describe the steps in assessing major environmental values and limitations Present the map that documents the June lothworkshop outcome
2 1 15 2135
Results of Aquatic Habitat Assessment (Ron Kistritz)

0
2:35
- 3:15
Discussion of Aquatic Habitat Assessment - Part 1 {Facilitated and Interactive Discussion, with Dave Reid as Moderator)
0
What are the resources to be protected? How does the Popeye Stream Corridor achieve 'functional equivalency'? What are the management objectives for each reach in a watershed context? How will the lowlands and uplands strategies be integrated to achieve objectives? What form of protocol agreement will be established for agency signoff?
3115 - 3130 3:30
Break for refreshments (and to move our cars before we get a parking ticket!) Discussion of Aquatic Habitat Assessment - Part 2 {Facilitated and Interactive Discussion, with Dave Reid as Moderator)
0 0 0 0 0
- 4:35
What are the resources to be protected? How does the Popeye Stream Corridor achieve 'functional equivalency'? What are the management objectives for each reach in a watershed context? How will the lowlands and uplands strategies be integrated to achieve objectives? What form of protocol agreement will be established for agency signoff?
4135450
Decision Framework for Watershed Planning (Kim Stephens) Recap the process for developing a shared vision for an Integrated Plan Preview the next phases in the program for integrating the lowlands and uplands strategies
4:50 5 1 0 0
Next Steps: How do we build on this foundation? (Ken Wright & David Reid)
0
0
Ask the participants to state what was accomplished Summarize what we have learned from the discussion Select date in September for the ImperviousArea Workshop
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CHZM
WORKINGSESSION #5 FISHERIES 8 ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP
CITY OF COQUITlAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
DRAFT FOR REVIEW
JUNE 25m 2000
Decision-Making Framework
A very important and integral part to the management of complex issues is having a framework for making timely and effective decisions. The following flowchart emphasizes the need for a deliberate process that involves stakeholders in developing a shared vision. By incorporating feedback loops, this process also incorporates opportunities for adaptive management.
This flowchart provides an over-arching framework for the four phases that comprise the Como Creek integrated planning process. Since there is a need for immediate action to provide flood relief in the lowlands, the Phase 1 work program represents a sub-loop within the overall integrated process.
The first five workshops have advanced the process as far as Step#5 for the Lowlands Strategy (but only to Step #2 for the Uplands Strategy). Step #6 will encompass the steps taken by the City to implement the 2000 Action Plan as presented in the Interim Report, and to integrate the Lowlands Strategy with the Uplands Strategy.
Step 2 (Framing the Problem) is crucial. All too often technical people jump directly to Step 4 (Collect Data), solve the wrong problem, and then wonder why the public takes issue with the proposed solution.
For a detailed explanation of the six-step process, refer to the copy of the CWRA paper on Stoney Creek that was a handout at the February 16th workshop.
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t
r

I
City of Coquitlam
Working Session #5 Fisheries & Environmental Issues

(Elements of an Integrated Plan)
June 28th 2000
I
Desired Outcome
Session Objectives
1
6
Finalize the Lowlands Strategy Present Aquatic Habitat Assessment Define Management Objectives Introduce Uplands Strategy
Also:
-Validate the record of previous session -Schedule next two sessions
s
1
for the Lowlands Strategy
Obtain agency sign-off

0 Como 8 McDonald 08 0 0 t h8 popeye
Como Creek environmental protection strategy built around.

I
...
1
Limiting Factorsfor Urban Streams Small Stoms versus Big Storms Effective ImperviousArea (EIA)
Create separate drainage outlets
rl 8 1 1
Jmiting Factors for Environmental Health of Urban Streams

I
B-IBI Over a Gradient of Watershed Impervious Land Cover

I
(listed in order-of-priority)
_. ....... -...................... ....... . . . . . ... .................... -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
.,:
.....
. .
..... ...
.
Changes in hydrology Disturbanceto riparian corridor Degradationof aquatic habitat Deterioration of water quality
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
8-IBI in Relation to Cumulative
Upstream Riparian Zone Width
Tot4 Zinc Event Mean Concentrations in Puget Sound Lowland Streams During Storm Runoff Over a Gradlent of Watershed Impervious Land Cover
I L
Impervious Area Reference Points for Planning Purposes

0
AtTIA=10%
Biodiversityand fish abundance initially and significantly impacted
Above TIA = 30%

Most urban watersheds unable to sustain abundant selfsupporting populations of coldwater fish
9
By TIA = 60%
Pollutant loading impacts on fish survivability
Phased Approach
I
(Building Blocks)
I
I
Phase 1: Interim Flood Mitigation Plan Phase 2: Environmental Issues 8 Objectives Phase 3: Environmental Planning Scenarios Phase 4: Integrated Management Plan
Track # -I Technical Analysis

Track #2 Workshop Process
'I
A Work Plan with Two Tracks because..
..
Six-step process helps teams efficiently make and implement quality decisions
Technical analysis in isolation of stakeholder understanding will not survive the agency and politica approval process Conversely. Stakeholder decisions that are made on technically faulty information are at high risk of failure However, when two tracks used together simultaneously, both processes lead to better understanding and better decisions with more stakeholder support
Interim Report on Lowlands Strategy

I
Developed the elements of a plan that achieves the watershed goals

'
-provide flood relief -restore aquatic habitat
Defined the function of each element within an 'integrated framework' . Brainstormed a DecisionAnalysis Matrix for each element

I
Report Outline
1
2000 Action Plan: Priority is to protect life and

property
20-Year Horizon: Policies and programs that

50-Year Horizon: Policies and programs that
Executive Summary Introduction Problem Identification Watershed Modelling Elements of an Integrated Plan Land Use and Aquatic System Overview 2000 Action Plan
restore natural hydrology and result in habitat restomtion
Executive Summary
1
Consequences of Changes in Land Use Critical Locations in the Lowlands
- mnditions impmved.but problems ChrOniC
Impact of Threshold Events
- 25mm rainfall = 'bank-full'. and 75mm = bank wernows
Watershed Vision Elements of an Integrated Plan 2000 Action Plan - r e m m privatebridge
- reactivate Boov1-t~Popeyeflow connection - implement rainfalCRlnoffdata Collection
I I I
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW
Classification System
% Total Impervious Area (%TIA)
1 Como Watershed within a regional context
- where water cannot infiltrate into soil or ground - peroent of continuous forest cover within a 60
metre riparian conidor
2 Assessing major environmental values &
% Riparian Forest Integrity (%RFI)
Prognoses & Questions
Assessing Major Environmental Values and Limitations

Step #I: Step #2: Step #3:
~ ~ l l exrsthg ew biophysira~ in~natlon
mi ~
U W in!nrma(ion I gaps
Map habitalvabtes end nmna~iaui

Fisheriesand EmimnmenlalWorxthop
Step #4:
Step #5:
tntegrationwiu~ hydmtechnlca~ requirements
II
C
Step #2:
FIII crittcal information naps

1
step #3: Major Functional Stream Reaches Estuarine

Snandrnud R e m by norrna(al&almon
fmmuls F
11
1I
Temporal-spatial drainage patterns Functional values of minor watercourses

* Ovelwintering juvenile salmon dls of T. C. Hwy.
m River.
Lower Floodplain
Upper Floodplain Upland
R Sandand* e a m b y b . COhD and CutlhmalTrap.
Sandandgravel. Rearlw and CutUlma(, and spwning by Coho

Gravel,CobMe.BouIder ResldemTmuL
Contaminated soils and groundwater
Step # 4 Fish Habitat Values & Constraints

c
1
Spawningtiabltal
ReadqHabit
Known &lor mnfirmedsparmine Knownwinter.w m r rearing
Baniers lo %h Passage
SedimentaIicm
Penmnenl baniem
Signititantamtion
Erns1011
LowFlows
Water Quality
Signiftcanl emlon
S u -
low flow pmMem
Chmnic pollutionpmbiem
d.
..
8
I
s
I I
1
Develop a Common Understanding
Illustrate ConceDts Through the Use of Graphics Allow Individuals to Blend Concepts with Own Experience Six-step process helps teams efficiently make and implement quality decisions
I I
Step#l Leadership & Commitment
Apply a science-based approach to create a shared visi? of
Council endorsed Stoney Model Council approved study funding Steering Committee formed
achievable aoals
F a c l i e a participatory
to bund stakeholder consensus and agree on expectations
declslon process
obtain political commitment to integrated stomrwater

and stream management
Step #2 Frame the Problem

Conditions in 2000 are improved over those in 1975, and flooding frequency has been reduced. but: -Two highways are still a barrier Drainage system is still looped No hydraulic controls to direct flow -Channels still have limited floodway capacity -Culvert openings still constricted by siltation - Popeye system still lacks a proper outlet
Formulate Alternatives
Vision Statement
"Through an integrated management plan, the goal of the Cily I s to over time balance p r o t e d o n of properly. responsible development, and the needs for environmental presewation and restoration throughout the C o r n Creek watershed"
Levels of Watershed & Stream Protection

I
If Status Quo means a continuationof current practices, then the result will be "Continued Decline-
Hence: 20-Year Vision is to "Hold the Line" 50-Year Vision is to "hprove Conditions
Make Decisions
Each decisionmaker has to rely in part on their own
Step#6 A Look Ahead to Implementation

I
(SO-Year Vision)
- runoff frequency and magnitude reduced

-risk of flood overflow reduced erosion and sedimentation minimized
If can restore natural hydrology, then:
And the aquatic habitat would also benefit
Elements o f an Uplands Strategy

1
Dual Drainage System

(An Old Concept. A New Way of Thinking)
1
Culvert Improvementsand Ravine Stabilization to Reduce Risk Hazards Changes in Land Use and Regulation to ImproveWatershed Conditions Storm Sewer Re-Routing to Strategically Located Sites for Stormwater Detention
Minor Rainfall Events: Major Rainfall Events:
Disperse runoff in a 'natural' way (Le. not piped)
Direct runoff overland to drainage outlets
Tiered Approach to Impervious Area Reduction

I
Tier A Source Control
Disperse localized runoff In a naturalway
Tier B Interception and Infiltration

Shed road runoff and Integrate escape routes
w-
Tier C Detention Storage
MImIc before development runoff pattern
Tree protection andlor replanting Soils for Salmon (deep porous landscape soils) Absorbent landscape over parking garages Rooftop storage Rainwater storage rainbarrels, dstems Rainwater re-use irrigation, toilet flushing Rainwater leader infiltration trench
CENTACE OF TOTAL .&XWAL R A I N F L L ATTIUBUATBLE TO MINOR, MODERATE. AND SUBSTANTIAL RAIN EVESTS.
I 8.
e , ., .
..I.I
n.w.a
. I I.,.,
'*
t ,
I
.LY CAPTURED WIT11 A SYSTEM
Flood Management
- Treeremoval
increases nnmffby 25%. due to deceased ekapc-
- manic layer underwoods increasesinRltraUon - imilhaled gmundwater

supports base Rows
Upper Watershed Source Controls

r
1
Limits on Impervious Area:
- multi-level (Skinny) buildings - parking under building (or landscape)
- limb on (paved) driveway area and patios - use pervious paving and spaced wood deck
.(t
'
Roadway Cross Section: - minimize'pavement width pelvious paving for parking and sidewalks - open, porous drainage e.g. bioswales with underdrains - separate sidewalks from mad, with aborbent boulevard - short term storage of runoff in swales (up to 24 hours) secondary major flood system
Upper Watershed Runoff Storage
Dry detention pond Wet detention pond Constructed wetlands Lake detention
Aquatic Habitat Greenways
Upper Watershed
/ P = ! ! ,
I
- Riparian vegetation conservation

and restoration
- Erosion control - Consider stream day-lighting

where benefits are dear
Expectations fulfilled?
What has been accomplished Action items? Date for next workshop?
'
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN lMPERVlOUSAREA REDUCTION WORKING SESSION #6 RETROF~ING
CRY OF COQUlTLAM
SEPTEMBER 27m 2000

SESSION THEME DATE DURATION: PARTICIPANTS: Improving Conditions in an Urban Watershed through Green Infrastructure Standards September 27th 2000 8:30am to 4:30pm
Isteering CommitteeMike Nihls Randy Evans
CHPM Team
David Reid Ron Kistritz Bill Derry
Agencies &Watershed Stakeholders

Scott Barrett, MELP Lisa Christensen, DFO Pamela Zevit, CWG
Jennifer Wilkie David Palidwor
'
Joe Sulmona Chris Roberts
Jason Cordoni Brian Shields
ABSENT:
Stakeholders Barb Wagner
CHZM Team Philip Cheung
Other City Departments Andrew Wood Russ Carmichael Emily Chu Ken McLaren Peter Longhi Roberta Cuthbert-Webber
AGENDA ITEMS: PURPOSE OF SESSION:
See the attached copy of the Agenda for a listing of topics The main focus was on Green Infrastructure Standards, and the need for changes in land use and renulation to improve watershed conditions. The purpose of the workshop was two-fold:
1 . Paint a picture of the Como Creek watershed, the work completed to date, and introduce the tools that will be key to implementing the 50-year vision for improving watershed conditions.
2. Get participants thinking, reacting and interacting so
that there will be general acceptance regarding the need to align individual roles and responsibilities (within the City, and externally with the Agencies) to achieve the 50-year vision.
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CITY OF COQUITLAM
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN WORKINGSESSION #6 RETROF~ING IMPERVIOUS AREA REDUCTION
SEPTEMBER 2pH2000
STRUCTURE
The program was organized into four components:

0
Presentations - Introduce the Plan Elements. Outline case study approaches that reflect practical experience related to Green Infrastructure Standards.
Video Introduce key locations and provide an impression of existing conditions and future changes.
Breakout Groups - Start with Vision Statement. Brainstorm what the watershed could look like in 50 years. Tackle a set of specific questions, with the responses becoming input to Plan development.
Roundtable - Identify items that the participants agree on (consensus),and items they do not agree on (issues)
BREAKOUT GROUPS:
It is expected that the Como watershed will be redeveloped to a higher percentage of impervious area to accommodate population growth. The resulting hydrologic impacts drive the need for Green Infrastructure Standards to protect natural resources. Participants were divided into two groups to brainstorm what they would like to see in 50 years, and how regulatory changes could achieve the desired watershed vision.
Group I Group 2
Joe Sulmona, City Jennifer Wilkie, City Dave Palidwor, City Jason Cordoni, City Vince Busto, DFO Scott Barrett, MELP Pamela Zevit, CWG Fernando Pasquel, CH2M
Mike Nihls, City Chris Roberts, City Randy Evans, City Lisa Christensen. DFO Cristina Baldaui, CWG Bill Deny, CH2M
Breakout sessions were organized as follows:

0 0
Each group appointed a facilitator and a recorder Each group was asked to fill out a Response Form comprising a series o f questions At the end of the Breakout Session, each group reported back on 'consensus points' and 'issues' Participants also filled out individual response forms
The purpose of the Response Form was to focus the groups on the regulatory changes and incentives necessary to achieve the "watershed vision", the challenges that presents, and the solutions to address the challenges.
112v25535
CHZM
CITY OF COQUmAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

WORKING SESSION #6
- RETROF~ING
IMPERVIOUSAREA REDUCTION
SEPTEMBER 27TH 2000
OUTCOME OF SESSION: Refer to attached analysis of Response F u m s regarding these five questions:
1. What stormwater managementoptions do you support as a
part of single family development?
part of multiple family development?
part of commercial/industrial development? part of street development?
4. What stormwater management options do you support as a
5. What regulatory changes and incentives are necessary?
The results of the group discussions as recorded on flipcharts are tabulated below. This becomes input to the watershed planning process.
CONSENSUS (where there was agreement) All BMPs should be considered, but there is special interest in:
0
ISSUES (where there was not agreement) BMP issues to be addressed include:
Installation standards Safety (e.9. against sidewalk trips) should these be private only? 0 Reductionin permeability afier construction (i.e. due to compaction and plugging) 0 Cost and maintenance There are many caveats on BMP use (e.g. detention criteria, effectiveness, applicability to site). However, standards such as the BCSLA Landscape Standard will help I What blend of performance versus prescriptive regulations is appropriate?Where should . regulations reside - in zoning, building, subdivision or other bylaws?
0
Roof leader disconnects 0 Permeable paving (while distinguishing btw classes of parking - e.g. overflow a good application) 0 Absorbent soils in landscaped areas 0 Water quality inlets and bioretention in a chain Most BMPs should be implemented regardless of Total Impervious Area
I
BMPS should be part of the Citys design - criteria
Detention vaults should be considered as a last resort because do not usually address water quality Piping on major roads should outfall to water quality treatment facilities Narrower paved roads should be pursued Setbacks from top of bank along streams should be 15m where possible DevelopmentPermits at watercourses are supported, as is the Tree Protection Bylaw Need for publidcontractor awareness programs in partnership with the City Consider private property. drainage and soils issues Little support for irrigation as a requirement (i.e. to indirectly supplement baseflows)
Public safety and parking control must be addressed Re-vegetation of setbacks, especially in private areas, is an issue. Setbacks and treatment need to be site-specific depending on existing built condition The rationale and process for watercourse regulations should be tied to the Streamside Directives under the Fish ProtectionAct Who pays? Who has manpower? What are the political considerations around this? Concernover the Citys ability to enforce BMPs, especially site works, on single family development Landscape over parking is controversial
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CITY OFCOPUmAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #6 RETROF~TTING IMPERVIOUSAREA R E D U C T I O N
SEPTEMBER 2pH 2000
EXPECTATIONS
At the end of the Plenary Session, participants were asked whether expectations had been fulfilled. Their replies are tabulated below:
Name
Comments
Bill Derry
Always comes down to politicalwill. So, important to bring leaders and elected officials along. A long-term issue is what to do with existing streets that might not be redeveloped
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CHZM
WORKING SESSION #6 RETROFIITING IMPERVIOUS AREAREDUCTION
CllY OF COQUlTLAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN
SEPTEMBER 27"2000
NEXT STEPS:
Action items arising from t$e workshop are listed below: *1) Distribute copies of the Interim Report 2) Schedule a working session with the City's Management Team to provide an update on the planning process
3) Organize Workshop #7 to elaborate on the Uplands t h ) Strategy (Note: proposed date is December 7
UPLANDS STRATEGY
The UpZands Strategy will build on what was accomplished in Workshop #6. The strategy has three elements: Changes in land use and regulations to improve watershed conditions over time (i.e. the 50-year vision)
=
Storm sewer re-routing to strategically located sites for stormwater detention Culvert improvements and ravine stabilization to reduce risk hazards
If can mimic natural hydrology, then:
Runoff frequency and magnitude reduced
Risk of flood overflow reduced

Erosion and sedimentation minimized And the aquatic habitat would also benefit.
In view of what needs to be done next to translate the foregoing into practical principles and achievable targets, Workshop#6 was a milestone event. It hopefully laid the foundation for an inter-departmental process that will in fact result in regulatory changes to achieve watershed objectives.
DATE OF ISSUE ATTACHMENTS:
October 3 r d 2000 Watershed BMP Options Response Form
1IN25535
CHZM
CITY OF COQUITLAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN
WORKING SESSION #6 RETROF~TTING IMPERVIOUS AREAREDUCTION
SEPTEMBER 2 P 2000

Time Slot
0800 0830

Social Period (Refreshments and muffins will be served. Please
be on time for a prompt 8:30am start)
0830 - 0855
Workshop Purpose and Structure Welcome (Ken Wright)

Outline the Workshop Purpose and Objectives (Ken Wright) Workshop Structure and Desired Outcome (David Reid) 0 Round-the-Table Introductions and Participant Expectations (fadlitated by David Reid) Overview of Como Creek Management Plan Two-Track Approach to Plan Development (Kim Stephens) Drainage System Overview (Kim Stephens) Lowland and Upland Components of the Integrated Plan (Kim Stephens) Rainfall Capture Criteria (Kim Stephens) Concept for Popeye Creek Stream Corridor Habitat Restoration (Ron Kiitritz) Integration of Stormwater Management with Land Use Regulation (David Reid) 0 Question Period (10 minutes) Case Studies on Impervious Area Reduction: Practical Approaches to BMP Design and Maintenance - (Fernando Pasquel) BMPsDefined Need for Improved BMP Design Criteria Challenges in Retrofitting BMPs in an Urban Environment Opportunitiesfor Integrationwith Site Plan Design BMP Maintenance Issues InfiltrationTrenches Lessons Learned 0 Question Period (15 minutes)
0855 - 0935
0935 1040
1040 1055 1055 1200
Refreshment Break
Case Studies on Impervious Area Reduction: Practical Approaches to Policy Development & Planning (Bill Derry) Integration of Stormwater Management with Land Use Regulation Salmon Recovery Planning and Adaptive Management Watershed Protection and Selection of Appropriate BMPs Implementationof Low Impact Development(LID) Updating Stormwater Manuals to Reflect Science-Based Understanding 0 Question Period (15 minutes)
1200 - 1230 1230 1245 1245 300
Lunch Break Como Creek Vldeo (Provide an irnpmssion of existing conditions. Narration by David Rei9
Breakout Groups: Discuss how material presented in the morning session can be applied to Corn0 Creek Specific questions in Response'Form provide a focus for discussion 0 Questions revolve around the presentationson BMP applications and policy approaches Promote in-depth discussion on tradeoffs in an urban environment
300
315 -
315 345
Refreshment Break
Plenary Session: Breakout Groups Report Back (facilitated by David Reid) 0 Identify where there is consensus and where there are issues 0 Identify constraints and opportunities for rainfall capture and runoff control What Have We Accomplished and Next Steps Ask participants whether expectations were fulfilled and what was accomplished (David Reld) Summarize what the Steering Committee has learned from the discussion (Ken Wright)
345- 415
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I
I I I i I
CITY OF C O W T I A M COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN
WORKINGSESSION #6 R E T R O F ~ N IMPERVIOUS G AREAREDUCTION
SEPTEMBER 27' 2000

SESSION THEME DATE: DURATION PARTICIPANTS Improving Conditions in an Urban Watershed through Green Infrastructure Standards September 2 7 t h 2000 8:30am to 4:15pm
CHPM Team
Mike Nihls Randy Evans Kim Stephens David Reid Ron Kistritz Fernando Pasquel Bill Deny
,
Glen Carlson, MELP Scott Barrett, MELP Lisa Christensen, DFO Vince Busto, DFO Pamela Zevit, CWG Barb Wagner, Business Rep Jennifer Wilkie David Palidwor Roberta Cuthbert-Webber
Andrew Wood Russ Carmichael Peter Longhi Emily Chu
Joe Sulmona Chris Roberts Jason Cordoni Ken McLaren
BACKGROUND
PLAN OVERVIEW:
The Man comprises lowland and upland components. An Interim Report has been completed for the lowland component. The theme for each component is summarized below. The two must be integrated to ensure an holistic solution. Lowlands component provide flood relief to solve existing problems, while enabling long-term habitat restoration
0
Uplands component determine how to implement changes in land use and regulation that improve watershed conditions
Successfully implementing changes in land use and regulation is dependent on having understanding and support at all levels within the City. T h i s is the over-arching theme for WS #6.
112V25535
CHZM
City of Coquitlam
I
Our Challenge
1 I
Another 20,000 people may have to be accommodated in the Como watershed Working Session #6 Retrofitting ImperviousArea Reduction
('lmprovlng Conditions in an Urban Watershed")
This will trigger redevelopment to a higher percentage of impervious area The resulting impacts on creeks drive the need for Green infrastructure Standards that effectively reduce impervious area
September 27th 2000
1 II
Watershed Restoration Issues
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Is restoration achievable? How can restoration be achieved? What will be the cost? Do the benefitsjustify the cost? What level is affordable?
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Background on the Como Plan

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Pilot programfor watershed management Inter-departmental& interdisciplinary Lowlands and uplands components Two tracks of effort:
Near-Term:
B
Priority is to protect life and pope*
20-Year Horizon: Polides and p m g m s that

- Track #I - technical analysis - Tradc #2 -workshop P W S S
Translate a 50-year vision into action
50-Year Horlzon: Pofides and programs that restore natural hydrologyand result in habitat restoration
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Same Rainfall + Change the Land Cover
Different Runoff Pattern
More surface runoff Flow concentration Water trapped
Components of the Integrated Plan

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Lowlands-
Provide flood relief to solve existing problems, while enabling long-term habitat restoration
Determine how to implement changes in land use and regulation that improve watershed conditions

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Conditions in 2000 are improved over those in 1975. and flooding frequency has been reduced.
but:
- Drainage system is still looped
-Two highways are still a barrier

.
- No hydrauliccontrols to direct flow - Channels still have limited floodway capacity - Culvert openings still constricted by siltation
- Popeye system still lacks a proper outlet
Major roadfills are not designed as water retaining structures
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3

0 Como & McDonald 08 0 0 t h & Popeye
Create separate drainage outlets Restore the Popeye Stream Corridor
Elements of an Uplands Strategy

Culvert Improvementsand Ravine Stabilization to Reduce Risk Hazards Changes in Land Use and Regulation to ImproveWatershed Conditions
Storm Sewer Re-Routingto Strategically Located Sites for Stomwater Detention
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Burnaby
Mountain Rainfall Analysis
Typkal Fnplnnsy DWIbutlon for Annual Ratnlabl
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Typical Frequency Distribution

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Source Control and Interception Measures Target the 160 Tier A and B events to prevent surface runoff and maintain inter-flow
Taro& the 8 Tier C events to mimic before development
Detention Storage Facilities
Typical Volume Distribution

Since the Tier A and B events account for 74% of the total annual runoff. the effectiveness of source control and interception measures is key t o transforming potential surface runoff to inter-flow
Magnitude and Frequency of Small Events

50% of the Tier A and B events result in less than 5mm of rainfall
Only 5% of the Tier A and B events result in more than 25mm of rainfall
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Average Intensity of Small Events
Seasonal pattern is consistent year-round Rainfall intensity correlates with infiltration Suggests rainfall capture is attainable
A Look Ahead to Implementation

(50-Year Vision)
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Concept for Popeye Creek Stream Corridor Habitat Restoration
- runoff frequency and magnitude reduced

-risk of flood overtlow reduced
-erosion and sedimentation minimized And the aquatic habitat would also benefit
I f can mimic natural hydrology, then:
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Framework for Aquatic Habitat Assessment
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What are the resourcesto be pmtmed?
Yundional equivalency")
How does the Popeye Sham COnidM achieve
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What are the managementobjeahresfa each reach In a watershed omled?

HOW WRI (he lowlands and wmnds strategies
be Integrated lo achieve obleahres?
What fonn of potocolagreementmll be esIabllshed for agency signor?
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tegration of Stormwater Managemen with Land Use Regulation
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Land Use Policies
Presented a synopsis of what is existing Identified strengths and opportunities for improvement Assessed risks and issues that might affect the future of the watershed
II
Case Studies on Impervious Area Reduction
Practical Approaches to BMP Design and Maintenance
by Fernando Pasquel
Practical Approaches to BMP Design and Maintenance Practical Approaches to Policy Development and Planning
BMPs Defined
Need for lmpmved BMP Design Criteria Challenges In Retrofitting BMPs In an Urban Envlmnment Opportunntes for BMP Integration w i t h Landscape AmhitWutelSite Planning InfiltrationTrenches Lessons Learned
by Bill Deny
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with Land Use Regulation
Integrationof Stomwater Management
Salmon Recovery Planning and Adaptive Management Watershed Protectionand Selection of Appropriate BMPs Implementationof Low Impact Development
Themes for Breakout Groups

What does the community have to look like to achieve the desired Watershed vision"
What regulatory changes and incentives are necessaryto achieve that vision?
What challenges does that present? What are the solutions to address the challenges?
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WORKING SESSION #7
CITY OF COQUlTLAM COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
FINAL DRAFT DECEMBER 1 P2000
- ELEMENTS OF
UPLANDS STRATEGY
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SESSION THEME DATE:
DURATION Watershed Retrofit Strategy for Rainfall Capture & Runoff Control December 15* 2000 11:30am to 4:OOpm
City Steering Committee
Ken Wright, Chair Mike Nihls Randy Evans
Joe Sulmona
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PARTICIPANTS
CH2M Team
Kim Stephens David Reid Patrick Graham

Scott Barrett, MELP Lisa Christensen, DFO Vince Busto, DFO Pamela Zevit, CWG Barb Wagner, Business Rep
(not available)
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Staff Representativesfrom City Departments

Laura Tait Chris Roberts (or Sarah Dal Santo) Dave Palidwor
BACKGROUND
In December 1999, the City initiated the Como Creek pilot program to implement an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary approach to development of an integrated plan for urban watershed management (i.e. "the Plan").
PLAN OVERVIEW:
The Plan comprises lowland and upland components. The theme for each component is summarized below. The two must be integrated to ensure an holistic solution.
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Lowlands component provide flood relief to solve existing problems, while enabling long-term habitat restoration Uplands component determine how to implement changes in land use and regulation that will enable implementation of a watershed retrofit strategy over time (for rainfall capture and runoff control)
DETAILED AGENDA
.
See page 3 for topics and timeline. The agenda is structured in five parts, with brief presentations providing the lead-in for
roundtable discussion periods.
11N25S5
CHLM
COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #7 ELEMENTS OF UPlANDS STRATEGY
ClN OF COQUrTlAM
FINAL DRAFT
DECEMBER IF2000
SESSION OBJECTIVES:
The focus of WS #7 is on the Plan Elemenfs for rainfall capture and control in the Como Uplands. The goal is to encourage City Staff to think about how they can align their individual roles and responsibilities to successfully implement changes in land use and regulation. -
Objectives are listed as follows:

1. Present the results of the analysis of the Watershed BMP Options Form completed by participants in WS #6 2. Provide participants with a clear picture of the Plan Elements that comprise the Uplands Strategy
3. Work through the details of Source Control Options (in conjunction with land redevelopment) for rainfall capture and controlled release to resolve erosion issues in Como Creek
4.
Explain how the uplands and lowlands strategies are integrated to resolve flooding issues in Booth Creek
5. Idenbfy the steps that will bring closure to the watershed planning process
DESIRED OUTCOME Reach agreement on the Plan Elements and Implementation Scenarios Sign the Consensus and Understanding document for the Interim Report on the Lowlands Strategy
112V25535
CHZM
CITY OF COQUITlAM
CQMQ CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKING SESSION #7 ELEMENTS OF UPLANDS STRATEGY
FINALDRAFT
DECEMBER 1 P 2000

Time Slot Topic and Scope o f Discussion
1130 - 1200 1200 - 1230
lunch ( to be provided by City)

Dart 1 -Workshop Process
b
b
B
B
Outline the Purpose, Objectives, and Desired Outcome (5 minutes) Summarize Watershed BMP Options Response Forms (5minutes) Discussion Period (15 minutes) Signing Ceremony for the Consensus document related to the Interim Report on the Lowlands Strategy (5minutes)
1230 - 100
Part 2 - Overview of Uplands Strategy

D
Define the Problem Assess Storage Opportunities and Constraints Introduce the Plan Elements Describe Implementation Scenarios Discussion Period (15 minutes)
100 - 230
Part 3 - Details of Plan Elements for Erosion Control in Como Creek

0 0 0
Presentation on Watershed Retrofit Strategy (15 minutes) Roundtable Discussion (20 minutes) Presentation on Source Control Options (15 minutes) Roundtable Discussion (40 minutes)
230 - 240
STRETCH
Part 4 - Details of Plan Elements for Flood Control in Booth Creek
0
240 - 315
Presentation on Inter-Watershed Connections (10 minutes) Roundtable Discussion (25 minutes)
315 - 400
Part 5 - Next Steps to Bring Closure to Planning Process

0 0 0
Roundtable Discussion (30 minutes) Validate Expectations and Workshop Outcome (10 minutes) Summarize Action Plan (5minutes)
112V25535
CHPM
Como Creek Watershed ManagementPlan

I Part 1
City of Coquitlam
I
Agenda
- Process
Working Session #7
I Part 2 Uplands Strategy
Elements of Uplands Strategy

('Walershed Retmfit Strategy for Rainfall Capture 8 Runoff Controt')
Part 3 - Erosion Control in Como Creek I Part 4 - Flood Control in Booth Creek I Part 5 - Closure
December 15th 2000
Part 1 Workshop Process

rn Objectivesand Desired Outcome rn Watershed BMP Options Response F m rn DiscussionPeriod (15 minutes)
rn Signing Ceremony for LowlandsConsensus
Workshop Objectives
rn Summarize resultsof September workshop rn Provide dear picture of UplandsStrategy w Examinesome controloptions
I Explain integrationof uplandsand lowlandss h t e g i i
I Identify next steps to bring dosure to planning process
Desired Outcome
Reachbasic agreement on the Plan Elemenfs and Implemntatfon Scenariosfor the Uplands Strategy Sign the Consensus8nd Understandingdocument that was preparedfor the LowlandsStrategy
Part 2 Overview of Uplands Strategy

I Define the Problem
Assess Storage Opportunities and Constraints

Introducethe Plan Elements Desaibe ImplementationScenarios
m DiscussionPeriod (15 minutes)
Problem Statement
rn Another 2O.OOO people need to be aaxmmOdated in Southwest CoquiUam wer the nexI50yean. Potentially hdf (7) wlll settle in
the can0watershed
Elements of an Uplands Strategy

RehM Onlot Storageto ImproveWatershed CondiSons Cldvwt Improvementsand Ravine S t a b l i o n
Aaxnmodab 'ng this pvhh Vvnl trigger sllbdvisionand fedevdopment of single fan@ Ids.The expectedchanges in rmpenriwsarea will likely result in mae freqmt runoff
IThe assodated erosion and R
to Reduce Risk Hazards
d n g iripacls dive the need fa a W a h M R e m t SWegy to restm the natural hvctolcqy fathe Cwno Uplane. T h i s wuld be implementedas the M n g housirig stodc is replaced wer time.
Storm Sewer ReRouting to Smtegically Located Sitesfor Ccmmunity Stonnwater Detention
Watershed Restoration Issues

Is restoration achievable?
Mantra for Uplands Strategy
w How can restorationbe achieved?
Practical and Achievable
rn What will be the cost?

w Do the benefitsjustify the cost? w What level is affordable?
Effective and Affordable
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Establish goals
...
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For Como Creek Subwatershed:
Reducethe number of erosio~using events
w For Booth Creek SubWatershed:
Reduceflood 0verRowpotenlialat Schoolhouse
fundamental objectives:
Reduce RunoffVolume
...and achieve these

Slow down the water (through rate control)
w Provide Rate Control Protect Water Quality
w support baseflow
(through runoff volume reduction)
Assessment of Detention Retrofit Opportunities & Constraints

L d o n identiiicationfor canmunily detention based on compatibilitywith existing stum sewer layout
11 locations considered, indudingCan0 Lake

I Only 4, induding Cam0 Lakb, havepossible potential
No opportunities in either Boothor McDonald
A Watershed Retrofit Strategy involves..
a On-Lot Storage a Hydraulic Disconnects
Como Ravine Stabilization Program tine channel bottom t o prevent fudw
downcutting and underminingof ravine slopes Booth Ravine Stabilization Program Although ravine bottan is presently s W e , the need for channel lining may develop over tima
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InSummary,' 1 the Alternative Scenarios are...
Deal with the Consequences
through a Ravine StabilizationProgram
1980s Reactive Mitigation
Eliminatethe Causes
througha Watershed RetrofitProgram
Typical Dktributbn for Annual Rainfall Events
m Creek Rainfall Analvsis
Part 3 Plan Elements for Erosion Control in Como Creek

rn Watershed RetmfitStrategy rn Roundtable Discussion(20 minutes) rn Source Control Options
rn Roundtable Discussion(40minutes)
I I I I I I
Watershed ftetroffi SbateJryfor C o r n Uplands Req14mdTkrCstorogevrAval~bbCanmunfIyStorage~
WaterrhedRebofdStmtav for Corn Uplands Controlling Runoff from A Typkal Bullding Lot
t Sbateavlor Como Untan& hpad olOn-Ld Storage and CmVnunNy Storage on Redudng eodon P o t e m
---_ ...
I 8 I 1 .I 1 I I I
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Part 4 Plan Elements for Flood Control in Booth Creek
Inter-Watmhed Connections Roundtable Discussion (25 minutes)

D crmO&McLkmaAi
I-spqPeue
Create separate'drainage outlets'
Restore the Papeye Sbeam Caridor
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II
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Part 5 Next Steps to Bring Closure
RoundtableDiscussion (30 minutes)
Validate Expectations and Outcome Summarize Adon Plan

j '.ELTIo. FS,Z3
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74.c ' r 3 . 7 5
CONCEPT DESIGNFOR ENVIRONMENTALLY ENHANCED FLOODWAY IN TIDAL FLOOPLAIN
Action Items
IHousing Stock Turnover Plan
I Council Working Session IReport Submission

I Infiltration Characterization
BuldersForum
I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I 1 I I
APPENDIX B PREVIOUS REPORTS ON LOWLANDS DRAINAGE
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APPENDIX C DECISION ANALYSIS FOR INTEGRATED LOWLANDS PLAN
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APPENDIX D
REVIEW OF LAND USE REGULATIONS
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN APPENDIXD REVIEW OF LAND USE REGUUTIONS
Summary of Analysis of Existing Watershed Policies & Risks
Table 1
continue to provide valuable linear wildlife
values of habitat, and map key ravine areas as Open Space.
has been landfilled and is being built out.
practice of the 60s to 80s.
112~255%
CHSM HILL
COMO CREEK lNTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN APPENDIXD - REVIEW OF LAND USE REGULATIONS
Subdivision Control Bylaw includes:

0
Requires BMPs if runoff after completion of development would exceed downstream capacity. Includes silt interception requirements. Directs utilities away from Fisheries Covenant Areas.
Alternative Development Standards are under consideration for NE Coquitlam. These standards proposed grid pattern streets with narrower pavement and right of way, as well as treed boulevards and sidewalks separated from the curb. The Building Bylaw requires that all new development provide services to the standards in the Subdivision Bylaw. Single and Two Family Residential are exempt from road wideninghidewalk requirements. The Drainage System Bylaw includes prohibition on materials that could damage the environment, and requires approval for increases in runoff. The Parks Master Plan envisions a trail system that follows the creeks in part. It gives strong support to protection of watercourses and sensitive lands, and proposes study of a leisure or family street with reduced pavement. The Sediment Control Bylaw sets performance standards for Total Suspended Solids, and requires an erosion control plan prior to construction.
112~25535
CHZM HILL
COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT P L A N APPENDIXD - REVIEW OF LAND USE REGULATIONS
FINAL REPOR; FEBRUARY 2002
I 1 I I I. I
A Proposed Draft Watercourse Protection Strategy is under consideration by the :North East Sector Stream Stewardship Committee. It would provide a similar sediment control provision to adjacent municipalities, and would add Development Permits along watercourses, an open watercourse policy, and consistent tree protection, zoning and stormwater management practices.
The existing Tree Cutting Permit Bylaw requires a permit to cut trees in designated areas (ravines).
I I I
A Proposed Tree Preservation Bylaw broadens the regulation of tree cutting, to make it apply to all environmentally sensitive areas and public property, as well as requiring tree replacement and protection of trees to remain.
The Ditch Elimination Program has been completed in the upper watershed. Other proposed Public Sector Projects include minor school additions, and redevelopment of the Poirier St. civic facilities in the medium term. Pending Private Sector projects include redevelopment of the lumber yard property, development of a IMAX/bowling complex across Lucille Star Drive from Famous Players, and a minor addition to the Canadian Tire store, plus several single family dwellings. Vacant land parcels along the creek system include one property o n Booth Creek at Schoolhouse, as well as several properties between Lougheed Hwy. and the Trans Canada along Como Creek. The Fraser River frontage east of Como Creek is filled but not built upon. BC Hydro owns a strategic property along Popeye Creek south of Brunette.
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APPENDIX E
RESULTS OF COMPUTER MODELLING

Como Creek Final Report Feb 2002

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D - 95

COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:

FLOOD RISKMANAGEMENT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION

COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENTPLAN

FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

ELEMENTS OF AN INTEGRATED LOWLANDS PLAN

COMO CREEK INTEGRATED STORMWAT~R MANAGEMENT PIAN OF CONTENTS TABLE

FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4. 7.5 7.6 7.7

LONG-TERM WATERSHED RESTORATION

SHORT-TERM FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT

ELEMENTS OF AN INTEGRATED PLAN FOR THE COMO UPLANDS

CHAPTER 10 CONCEPTS FOR RAINFALL CAPTURE AT.SOURCE

PART C . IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

CHAPTER 12 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

12.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................ 12.2 Recommendations ..................................................................................

COMO CREEK INTEGRATED OF CONTENTS TABLE

FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002

COMO CREEK ~NTEGRATEDSTORMWATER MANAGEMENT PIAN

FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2002

Restore natuxal.water balance through a Watershed Retrofit Strategy. , I , \

lestore natural rainage pattern of IVOseparate ubwatersheds.

timize Operation o f L*lershedrnnedian

Zestore Popeye :reek and riparian

erve Boovl /popeve tributary

COMO CREEK WATERSHED MAHIIGEMEHPuul

COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Pwc

FINALREPORT FEBRUARY 2002

2. Integrated Solution for the Como Watershed

Part A develops specific solutions to provide immediateflood relief in the Lowlands.

COMO CREEK WATERSHED MANAGWENT PIAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

(0-5 yrs) $7,050,00

Cost Estimates Medium-term (5-20 yrs)

Long-term (20-50 yrs)

$7,985,000 (say $8 milion)

Providing Immediate Flood Relief

Provide community detention storage at feasible locations.

COP0 CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT P L A N EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DRAFT FOR REVIEW

ImplementationActions for the Como Creek Watershed Management Plan

mprove Lowlands Drainage System

)) Expand the Rainfall and Streamflow Monitoring Network.

:erm ' '0-5 years) I)

Jpgrade High-Risk Culverts and Provide Bedload Interception

Drovide Community Storage Facilities

Construct Popeye Detention Pond on BC Hydro Site

term (0-5years) 3) Implement the Casey Place Bedload Management Plan

and website information.

b) Offer training workshops and seminars to the development community.

workshop and certification program.

COMOCREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PIAN

DRwr FOR REVIEW

;hod.em 0-5 years]

infiltration into the Engineering Standards.

Demonstrate a Commitmentto Watershed Restoration in the Short-term

Facilitatethe Implementation of Source Storage Retrofit Strategy

d) Continuously monitor rainfall-runoff response and other indicators of watershed health as

Mediumterm (5-20 Yrs) Long-tern (20-50 yrs

Restore the Natural Watershed Drainage Pattern (two separate sub-watersheds)

Restore Watercourses to Their Natural State

d) Daylight the piped section of Booth Creek below Foster

Daylight the piped section of Como Creek below Rochester