New Mexico State University
OP-23: Stormwater Management

In 2009 NMSU developed and adopted a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP established a plan to reduce the quantity and protect the quality of stormwater runoff. SWMP initiatives to mitigate stormwater runoff impacts of construction and development include: implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan requirements, review checklists, and inspection checklists for all construction activities; development of drainage design guidelines for both quantity and quality; modification of tenant leases to require controls during construction and the use of stormwater design guidelines; and promotion of Low Impact Development. SWMP initiatives to mitigate stormwater runoff impacts of facility operations include: employee training; written Good Housekeeping procedures for maintenance shops; integrated pest management; and a maintenance program for the drainage system, including written procedures for proper disposal of sediment, trash and other debris removed from the system.

NMSU has a policy for porous paving a part of meeting LEED Silver requirements. We are currently constructing approximately 53,000 square feet of bike lanes along a major thoroughfare, Arrowhead Road, using porous concrete. For a second project, the Arts Complexs, porous paving was evaluated for use in the passenger drop-off area of Phase I during design last year. It will be installed as funding allows.

NMSU’s design guidelines require no increase in volume and peak flow rate of the 100-yr, 24-hr storm event. Projects at NMSU satisfy this criterion by using on-site retention. NMSU has a large retention pond at Same Steel Drive and Union Drive designed for a 100-year storm. A second retention pond is at the corner of Interstate-10 and Valley Drive that also is designed for a 100 year flood.

NMSU has stone swales in several locations across campus. We use them wherever we have large drainage ponds as a conveyance method for the water since we don't have underground drainage in our desert environment. They are small draingage-ways that are lined with natural materials, mostly river rock from local rivers. Our swales convey water to a discharge area and often run alongside a road.

NMSU has a vegetated swale of approximately 1000 lf along Arrowhead Rd. It collects water runoff from a large unpaved parking lot. A second swale is also approximately 1000 lf along a paved parking lot to the west of our Pan American Center. Part of this area is also a nesting area for a local protected species of burrowing owls.

Infiltration trenches – NMSU requires that a landscape architect be involved in the site design of projects. Part of the landscape architect’s duties is to evaluate drainage patterns and landscaping for the potential use of infiltration trenches. Three projects were in design last year: Arts Complex Phase I, Chamisa Village Phase II (student apartments), and the new Barnes + Noble bookstore. Infiltration trenches were evaluated for all three projects. The trenches and landscaping will be constructed as funding allows. Infiltration trenches will be considered on all future projects.