Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual.pdf

Figure G.1. Convex Contours and Slopes are Less Susceptible to Reconcentrating Flows.
Optimal
Less Favorable
Hydraulics and Hydrology for Level Spreaders:
a. Level spreaders, in this context, should safely diffuse flows up to the 100-year storm. A
minimum design criterion per the BMP Manual is the 10-year storm - conditions permitting.
This is due to the inability to bypass and to accommodate the magnitude of anticipated
discharges.
b. The drainage area to a given level spreader should be limited to 5 acres or less, which
should encourage smaller and more manageable BMPs, both during and after construction.
For conveyances with drainage areas exceeding 5 acres, multiple outfalls/level spreaders
are preferable to a single outfall/level spreader. A maximum flow rate or volume may be
imposed in critical areas, such as special protection watersheds, impaired watersheds, etc.
The recommendations in this paper could be relaxed for very small drainage areas
(< 500 square feet), such as disconnected rooftops, etc.
c. Level spreader length is the lineal measurement of weir required to discharge anticipated
flows. It is measured perpendicular to the direction of flow. Level spreader length is primarily
dependent on the influent rate and the type of down slope cover. The level spreader length
needs to be designed so that the allowable down slope velocity is not exceeded. Other
factors include the discharge pipe diameter (if applicable) and the number and size of
perforations along the discharge pipe (if applicable). Generally, level spreaders should have
a minimum length of 10 feet and a maximum length of 200 feet.
1) Refer to Section VII for a more comprehensive description of the considerations
involved in designing level spreaders and determining proper length.
363-2134-008 / March 31, 2012 / Page 433