Storm Water Management Plans

After development, the hydrologic characteristics of neighborhoods change to the point where drainage areas become progressively impervious, causing stormwater runoff volumes to increase while base groundwater levels decrease. Small storms that would otherwise be captured by the natural plants and soils of an undeveloped site are instead passed on rapidly to the nearby public or private storm drain system, and then to regional streams. Stormwater Management Plans are required by the local agency to mitigate the increased flows due to development.