Increased intensity of precipitation and weather events
It is anticipated that global warming will enable the atmosphere to accumulate a greater degree of moisture before releasing it in the form of precipitation. It is estimated that this phenomenon will result in a reduction in the frequency of precipitation, despite an increase in its intensity and total annual volume.
The main impacts on the community related to the increased intensity of precipitation and extreme weather events are as follows:
- Localized flooding can isolate sections of the community, contaminate waterways and damage property and infrastructure;
- Overloading of stormwater management systems leading to infrastructure failure, such as culverts and roads;
- Decreased frequency of precipitation leading to periods of drought (water shortages and impact on farmland production); and
- Strong winds and intense icing episodes that can cause damage to infrastructure such as homes, power lines, trees, etc.
How to prevent and reduce flooding caused by stormwater runoffWith climate change, runoff floods are harder to predict, but are usually the result of heavy rainfall, melting snow or a combination of these factors. These floods can affect many areas of the municipality, not just those close to watercourses.
This type of flooding occurs mainly in more developed areas with a greater number of impervious surfaces such as roofs, parking lots and over-compacted lawns. Water accumulates rapidly, as the soil cannot absorb the sudden excess of water.
Natural green infrastructure solutions can help reduce this runoff. Rain gardens and bioswales capture and absorb this water, reducing the load on storm sewers and drainage ditches.
One solution is to redesign your property to create larger areas of vegetation to absorb excess water. Rain barrels can also be used to help reduce water from roofs.
There are ways to harmonize the development of our community while respecting natural spaces. By allowing vegetation to grow in many places, respecting wetlands and riparian buffers (link to EcoVision video) and planning our land for heavy rains, we can reduce the impacts of climate change.
River pollution, another consequence of stormwater runoffn runoff flooding, water flows over impervious surfaces in developed areas. This moving water picks up contaminants such as sediments, oils and other petroleum products, animal excrement, pesticides, and other toxic products. These contaminants are then transported to streams, lakes, and rivers, and eventually to the sea.
Find ways to reduce runoff on your property.
