Caltrans Storm Water Quality Study - Long-term Discharge Characterization

In 2000, Caltrans initiated a three-year Statewide Stormwater Runoff Characterization Study (Statewide Study) to characterize stormwater runoff at representative transportation facilities. The Statewide Study gathered stormwater runoff data at these facilities for the purpose of meeting National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements, providing data for best management practices (BMP) research and development, assisting in the development of stormwater modeling and other load assessment efforts, and developing a scientifically-robust characterization data set for Caltrans facilities. This Long-Term Discharge Characterization (LTDC) Study, as mandated by the California State Water Resources Control Board, follows the Statewide Study and continues Caltrans' effort to take a multi-faceted approach to ensure the scientific validity, comparability and representativeness of stormwater data collected under variable conditions in diverse regions, by multiple organizations. Data collected under the LTDC study will add to results of the Statewide Study and allow for more robust analysis of stormwater runoff for the following purposes: supporting research and development needs; providing inputs for load assessment and modeling efforts; providing useful information for watershed planning; and, supporting scientifically-sound statistical data quantification.