As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activity and the natural processes of a rate
greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
Activities associated with agriculture such as agricultural
cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy use areas. This
includes the work of producing crops including tillage, land clearing,
plowing, disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops or pasturing
and raising of livestock and installation of conservation measures.
Construction of new buildings or impervious area is not considered
an agricultural activity.
ALTERATION
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
also the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to
be more or less impervious as the result of changing the land cover
including the water, vegetation and bare soil.
APPLICANT
A person who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activity defined in §
206-5.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
Engineering or site drawings maintained by the contractor
as he constructs the project and upon which he documents the actual
locations of the building components and changes to the original contract
documents. These documents, or a copy of same, are turned over to
the qualified professional at the completion of the project.
BANKFULL
The channel at the top-of-bank, or point from where water
begins to overflow onto a floodplain.
BASE FLOW
Portion of stream discharge derived from groundwater; the
sustained discharge that does not result from direct runoff or from
water diversions, reservoir releases, piped discharges, or other human
activities.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures, or procedures
used to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities, to meet
state water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge,
and to otherwise meet the purposes of this chapter. Stormwater BMPs
are commonly grouped into one of two broad categories or measures:
"structural" or "nonstructural." In this chapter, nonstructural BMPs
or measures refer to operational and/or behavior-related practices
that attempt to minimize the contact of pollutants with stormwater
runoff, whereas structural BMPs or measures are those that consist
of a physical device or practice that is installed to capture and
treat stormwater runoff. Structural BMPs include, but are not limited
to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from large-scale retention
ponds and constructed wetlands, to small-scale underground treatment
systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips, low-impact design,
bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, riparian
or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins, and manufactured
devices. Structural stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances to
the project site.
BIORETENTION
A stormwater retention area that utilizes woody and herbaceous
plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
BUFFER
The area of land immediately adjacent to any stream, measured
perpendicular to and horizontally from the top-of-bank on both sides
of a stream (see "top-of-bank").
CHANNEL
An open drainage feature through which stormwater flows.
Channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural and man-made
watercourses, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes that convey
continuously or periodically flowing water.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Montgomery County Conservation District (MCCD). A conservation
district, as defined in Section 3(c) of the Conservation District
Law [3 P.S. § 851(c)] that has the authority under a delegation
agreement executed with DEP to administer and enforce all or a portion
of the regulations promulgated under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
CULVERT
A structure, with its appurtenant works, which carries water
under or through an embankment or fill.
CURVE NUMBER
Value used in the Soil Cover Complex Method. It is a measure
of the percentage of precipitation which is expected to run off from
the watershed and is a function of the soil, vegetative cover, and
tillage method.
DAM
A man-made barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid. A dam may include a refuse bank, fill or structure
for highway, railroad or other purposes which impounds or may impound
water or another fluid or semifluid.
DEPARTMENT (DEP)
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (QUALIFIED)
A Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer, registered
landscape architect or registered professional land surveyor trained
to develop stormwater management plans.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design
and evaluation of stormwater management systems. See "return period."
DETENTION BASIN
An impoundment designed to collect and retard stormwater
runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate. Detention basins are designed to drain completely soon after
a rainfall event and become dry until the next rainfall event.
DETENTION VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured and released into the
waters of the commonwealth at a controlled rate.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
of land or a land development or who seeks to undertake any regulated
earth disturbance activity.
DEVELOPMENT
Any human-induced change to improved or unimproved real estate,
whether public or private, including but not limited to land development,
construction, installation, or expansion of a building or other structure,
land division, street construction, drilling, and site alteration
such as embankments, dredging, grubbing, grading, paving, parking
or storage facilities, excavation, filling, stockpiling, or clearing.
As used in this chapter, "development" encompasses both new development
and redevelopment.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract or parcel of land where any regulated activity set forth in §
206-5 is planned, conducted or maintained.
DIFFUSED DRAINAGE DISCHARGE
Drainage discharge that is not confined to a single point
location or channel, including sheet flow or shallow concentrated
flow.
DISCHARGE
A.
(verb) To release water from a project, site, aquifer, drainage
basin or other point of interest (verb);
B.
(noun) The rate and volume of flow of water such as in a stream,
generally expressed in cubic feet per second. See also "peak discharge."
DISCONNECTED IMPERVIOUS AREA (DIA)
An impervious or impermeable surface that is disconnected
from any stormwater drainage or conveyance system and is redirected
or directed to a pervious area, which allows for infiltration, filtration,
and increased time of concentration as specified in Appendix C, Disconnected
Impervious Area.
DISTURBED AREA
Unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
DITCH
A man-made waterway constructed for irrigation or stormwater
conveyance purposes.
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
A stormwater management facility designed to transport stormwater
runoff that includes channels, swales, pipes, conduits, culverts,
and storm sewers.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
DRAINAGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the Township after the SWM site plan has
been approved.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity that disturbs the
surface of land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling,
or storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
EMERGENCY SPILLWAY
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
ENCROACHMENT
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes
the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or
body of water.
EROSION
The natural process by which the surface of the land, including
water/stream channels, is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A site-specific plan identifying BMPs to minimize accelerated
erosion and sedimentation. For agricultural plowing or tilling activities,
the erosion and sediment control plan is that portion of a conservation
plan identifying BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania
Code Title 25 Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The dominant land cover during the five-year period immediately
preceding a proposed regulated activity.
EXISTING RECHARGE AREA
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the groundwater.
EXISTING RESOURCES AND SITE ANALYSIS MAP
A base map which identifies fundamental environmental site
information including floodplains, wetlands, topography, vegetative
site features, natural areas, prime agricultural land and areas supportive
of endangered species.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOOD
A temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of
land areas from the overflow of streams, rivers, and other waters
of the commonwealth.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any
natural source or as delineated by applicable Department of Housing
and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration Flood Hazard
Boundary Map as being a special flood hazard area. That area defined
in the Township Zoning Ordinance as the Floodplain Conservation District; the floodplain
definition contained therein is made part of this chapter by reference.
Also includes areas that comprise Group 13 soils, as listed in Appendix
A of the Pennsylvania DEP Technical Manual for Sewage Enforcement
Officers (as amended or replaced from time to time by DEP).
FLOODWAY
The channel of a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining
floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge the
100-year-frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified, the boundary
of the floodway is as indicated on Flood insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
and flood insurance studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no
FEMA maps or studies have defined the boundary of the 100-year-frequency
floodway, it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the
floodway extends 50 feet from the top-of-bank on each side of the
stream.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and associated activities necessary for the management
of forestland. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest
management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging
road design and construction, timber harvesting, and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high-water
and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, swale, or diversion berm.
The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
GRADE
A.
(noun) A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground
specified in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
B.
(verb) To finish the surface of a roadbed, the top of an embankment,
or the bottom of excavation.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes
to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or reuse stormwater on the site where
it is generated.
GROUNDWATER
Water beneath the earth's surface that supplies wells
and springs, and is often between saturated soil and rock.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
The replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies
from rain or overland flow.
HEC-HMS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering
Center (HEC) — Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS). This model
was used to model the Neshaminy Creek Watershed during the Act 167
Plan development and was the basis for the standards and criteria
of this chapter.
HIGH QUALITY WATERS
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
HOTSPOT
An area where land use or activity generates highly contaminated runoff, with concentrations of pollutants in excess of those typically found in stormwater. Typical pollutant loadings in stormwater may be found in Chapter
8, Section 6, of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) No. 363-0300-002 (2006). More information concerning hotspots may be found in §
206-6.
HYDROGRAPH
A graph representing the discharge of water versus time for
a selected point in the drainage system.
HYDROLOGIC REGIME
The hydrologic cycle or balance that sustains quality and
quantity of stormwater, baseflow, storage, and groundwater supplies
under natural conditions.
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected
by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. A classification
of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, formerly the
Soil Conservation Service, into four runoff potential groups. The
groups range from A soils, which are very permeable and produce little
runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable and produce much
more runoff. The NRCS defines the four groups and provides a list
of most of the soils in the United States and their group classification.
The soils in the area of the development site may be identified from
a soil survey report that can be obtained from local NRCS offices
or conservation district offices. Soils become less pervious as the
HSG varies from A to D (NRCS).
IMPERVIOUS MATERIAL
Any materials that do not permit the natural absorption and
permeation by soils of rain or other surface water, to include but
not be limited to all concrete, asphalt, and similar paving products,
earthen materials (brick, stone), chemical treatment of soils or artificial
ground covers as may be used in the construction of roads, walks,
driveways, parking areas, patios and recreation facilities.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, streets,
sidewalks, pavement roofs, or driveway areas. Any surface areas designed
to be gravel or crushed stone shall be regarded as impervious surfaces.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
INFILL DEVELOPMENT
Development that occurs on smaller parcels that remain undeveloped
but are within or very close proximity to urban or densely developed
areas. Infill development usually relies on existing infrastructure
and does not require an extension of water, sewer or other public
utilities.
INFILTRATION
Movement of surface water into the soil, where it is absorbed
by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolated downward
to recharge groundwater.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURE
A structure designed to direct runoff into the underground
water (e.g., french drains, seepage pits, or seepage trenches).
INITIAL ABSTRACTION (IA)
The value used to calculate the volume or peak rate of runoff
in the Soil Cover Complex Method. It represents the depth of rain
retained on vegetation plus the depth of rain stored on the soil surface
plus the depth of rain infiltrated prior to the start of runoff.
INLET
The upstream end of any structure through which water may
flow.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
A stream that flows only part of the time. Flow generally
occurs for several weeks or months in response to seasonal precipitation
or groundwater discharge.
KARST
A type of topography or landscape characterized by surface
depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground
drainage, and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone
or dolomite.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts,
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure; or
(2)
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective
occupants by means of, or for the purpose of, streets, common areas,
leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features;
C.
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
LIMITING ZONE
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying
a stratum that includes one of the following:
A.
A seasonal high water table, whether perched or regional, determined
by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
B.
A rock with open joints, fracture or solution channels, or masses
of loose rock fragments, including gravel, with sufficient fine soil
to fill the voids between the fragments.
C.
A rock formation, other stratum, or soil condition that is so
slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of water.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by
a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed
or built upon as a unit.
LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID)
Site design approaches and small-scale stormwater management
practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration,
evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater. LID can be applied to
new development, urban retrofits, and revitalization projects. LID
utilizes design techniques that infiltrate, filter, evaporate, and
store runoff close to its source. Rather than rely on costly large-scale
conveyance and treatment systems, LID addresses stormwater through
a variety of small, cost-effective landscape features located on site.
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance used as a reach
in the applicable watershed hydrologic model.
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. "Open
channels" may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
MCCD
The Montgomery County Conservation District.
MUNICIPALITY
Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
NESHAMINY CREEK WATERSHED ACT 167 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The watershed plan for managing those land use activities
that will influence stormwater runoff quality and quantity and that
would impact the Neshaminy Creek Watershed adopted by Bucks and Montgomery
Counties as required by the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act
167).
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in
the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete
conveyances.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGES
Water flowing in stormwater collection facilities, such as
pipes or swales, which is not the result of a rainfall event or snowmelt.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the federal
government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water
Act, which is delegated to PADEP in Pennsylvania.
NRCS
Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously Soil Conservation
Service).
OUTFALL
"Point source" as described in 40 CFR 122.2 at the point
where the Township's storm sewer system discharges to surface
waters of the commonwealth.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal to a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARENT TRACT
The parcel of land from which a land development or subdivision
originates, determined from the date of Township adoption of this
chapter.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
PERENNIAL STREAM
A stream which contains water at all times except during
extreme drought.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that allows the infiltration of water into the
ground.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including,
but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
POSTCONSTRUCTION
Period after construction during which disturbed areas are
stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning and all
proposed improvements in the approved land development plan are completed.
PRETREATMENT
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage or filtering to trap coarse materials and other pollutants before they enter the system, but not necessarily designed to meet the volume requirements of §
206-17. For example, any inlets draining to an infiltrating system should be sumped and trapped to prevent the system from becoming clogged with excess sediment.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
Any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State
or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this
chapter.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of groundwater through the infiltration
of rainfall, other surface waters, or land application of water or
treated wastewater.
RECORD DRAWINGS
Original documents revised to suit the as-built conditions
and subsequently provided by the engineer to the client. The engineer
reviews the contractor's as-built drawings against his/her own
records for completeness, then either turns these over to the client
or transfers the information to a set of reproducibles, in both cases
for the client's permanent records. Record drawings are not the
same as record plans submitted for recording with the county in accordance
with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247).
REDEVELOPMENT
Any development that requires demolition or removal of existing
structures or impervious surfaces at a site and replacement with new
impervious surfaces. Maintenance activities such as top-layer grinding
and repaving are not considered to be redevelopment. Interior remodeling
projects and tenant improvements are also not considered to be redevelopment.
Utility trenches in streets are not considered redevelopment unless
more than 50% of the street width including shoulders is removed and
repaved.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Any earth disturbance activities or any activities that involve
the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect
stormwater runoff.
RELEASE RATE
The percentage of existing conditions peak rate of runoff
from a site or subarea to which the proposed conditions peak rate
of runoff must be reduced to protect downstream areas.
REPAVING
Replacement of the impervious surface that does not involve
reconstruction of an existing paved (impervious) surface.
REPLACEMENT PAVING
Reconstruction of and full replacement of an existing paved
(impervious) surface.
RETENTION BASIN
A structure in which stormwater is stored and not released
during the storm event. Retention basins are designed for infiltration
purposes, and do not have an outlet. The retention basin must infiltrate
stored water in four days or less.
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
RETURN PERIOD (or AVERAGE RECURRENCE INTERVAL)
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given or greater magnitude can be expected to recur. The reciprocal
of the return period is the annual exceedance probability of the storm
event, that is, the probabilty that the storm event is equaled or
exceeded in any one-year period. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall would be expected to recur on the average of
once every 25 years, or conversely would have a 1/25 or 4% chance
of occurrence or exceedance in any given year.
RIPARIAN BUFFER
A permanent area of trees and shrubs located adjacent to
streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road cross
section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces,
cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other
similar activities.
ROOF DRAIN
A drainage conduit or pipe that collects water runoff from
a roof and leads it away from the structure.
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation, as well as any other flow contributions,
that flows over the land surface.
SALDO
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
SEDIMENT
Soils or other materials transported by water, air or gravity
as a product of erosion.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge or any other introduction of sediment
into the waters of the commonwealth.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water, air or gravity. Once this matter
is deposited (or remains suspended), it is usually referred to as
"sediment."
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the underground water. More information on seepage pits may be
found in the PA BMP Manual, December 2006, Chapter 6, Section 4.
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, Township streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels or storm drains) primarily used for collecting
and conveying stormwater runoff.
SHALLOW CONCENTRATED FLOW
Stormwater runoff flowing in shallow, defined ruts prior
to entering a defined channel or waterway.
SHEET FLOW
A flow process associated with broad, shallow water movement
on sloping ground surfaces that is not channelized or concentrated.
SOIL COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that
is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called Curve Number (CN).
SPECIAL PROTECTION SUBWATERSHEDS
Watersheds that have been designated in Pa. Code Title 25,
Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, as
exceptional value (EV) or high quality (HQ) waters.
SPILLWAY
A conveyance that is used to pass the peak discharge of the
maximum design storm that is controlled by the stormwater facility.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim,
and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code
and the Clean Streams Law.
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm "event" occurs or
is exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. See "return
period."
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted
runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff quality, rate or quantity. Typical stormwater management facilities
include, but are not limited to, detention and retention basins, open
channels, storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The watershed plan or plans for managing those land use activities
that will influence stormwater runoff quality and quantity and that
would impact the watershed adopted Montgomery County as required by
the Act of October 4,1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167).
STORMWATER SWM SITE PLAN
The plan prepared by the applicant or his representative
indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the particular
site of interest according to this chapter.
STREAM
A flow of water in a natural channel or bed, as a brook,
rivulet, or a small river.
STREAM BUFFER
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential
to maintaining water quality. (See "buffer.")
STREAM ENCLOSURE
A bridge, culvert, or other structure in excess of 100 feet
in length upstream to downstream which encloses a regulated water
of the commonwealth.
STREAM BANK EROSION
The widening, deepening, or headward cutting of channels
and waterways, caused by stormwater runoff or bankfull flows.
SUBAREA (SUBWATERSHED)
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria have been established in the stormwater management
plan.
SUBDIVISION
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses,
storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface waters, or parts
thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries
of the commonwealth.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land that gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
SWM SITE PLAN
The documentation of the stormwater management system to be used for a given development site, the contents of which are established in §
206-25.
TIME-OF-CONCENTRATION (Tc)
The time required for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically
most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within
the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time
and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
TOP-OF-BANK
Highest point of elevation in a stream channel cross section
at which a rising water level just begins to flow out of the channel
and over the floodplain.
TOWNSHIP
Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for Montgomery Township.
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture.
VEGETATED SWALE
A natural or man-made waterway, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to convey surface water.
VERNAL POOL
Seasonal depressional wetlands that are covered by shallow
water for variable periods from winter to spring, but may be completely
dry for most of the summer and fall.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined
bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses,
storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of the commonwealth.
WATERSHED
Region or area drained by a river, watercourse, or other
body of water, whether natural or artificial.
WET BASIN
Pond for urban runoff management that is designed to detain
urban runoff and always contains water.
WETLAND
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, fens, and similar areas.
WISSAHICKON CREEK ACT 167 PLAN
The watershed plan for managing those land use activities
that will influence stormwater runoff quality and quantity and that
would impact the Wissahickon Creek Watershed adopted by Philadelphia
and Montgomery Counties as required by the Act of October 4,1978,
P.L. 864 (Act 167).