What should be assessed during the evaluation of a site for runoff management?

Assessing pre-development conditions and grading is crucial for effective runoff management because it provides a baseline understanding of how water currently moves across the site before any changes are made. By evaluating these conditions, inspectors can identify natural drainage patterns, existing impervious surfaces, and the overall topography of the site. This information is essential in designing effective runoff management strategies that can mitigate future erosion and flooding risks caused by development.

Understanding pre-development conditions allows for the planning of appropriate measures that take into account how water naturally flows, which can help preserve or enhance existing drainage features and incorporate them into the site design. Additionally, grading assessments help determine how changes in elevation might impact runoff patterns, further informing the design of effective stormwater management systems.

While other factors such as soil types and existing vegetation, weather patterns, and storm predictions play important roles in runoff management, they should be considered in conjunction with pre-development conditions to create a comprehensive management strategy. Thus, focusing solely on conditions after development or neglecting grading assessments could lead to inadequate or ineffective runoff management solutions.