Cold climate BMPs: solving the management puzzle

Abstract

Snowmelt runoff and rain-on-snow events present some of the highest pollutant loading and most difficult management challenges in the course of a year in regions with cold climate. Frozen conduits, thick ice layers, low biological activity, altered chemistry, and saturated or frozen ground conditions all work against effective treatment of melt runoff. Understanding the source, evolution and transition that occurs within a melt event, and defining the management objectives for specific receiving waters will help focus the search for effective management techniques. Solving the management puzzle means putting together a strategy for both soluble and solids-associated water pollutants.