Preferential Flow in Common Low Impact Development Technologies: A Review

Ruifen Liu (), Junqi Zhou, Ting Fong May Chui (), Defu Liu () and Ying Liu
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Ruifen Liu: Hubei University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Health Intelligent Perception and Ecological Restoration of River and Lake (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Geotechnology and Ecological Remediation for Lake & River, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment
Junqi Zhou: Hubei University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Health Intelligent Perception and Ecological Restoration of River and Lake (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Geotechnology and Ecological Remediation for Lake & River, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment
Ting Fong May Chui: The University of Hong Kong, Department of Civil Engineering
Defu Liu: Hubei University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Health Intelligent Perception and Ecological Restoration of River and Lake (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Geotechnology and Ecological Remediation for Lake & River, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment
Ying Liu: Hubei University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Health Intelligent Perception and Ecological Restoration of River and Lake (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Geotechnology and Ecological Remediation for Lake & River, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2025, vol. 39, issue 15, No 1, 7863-7884

Abstract: Abstract Preferential flow, a common phenomenon in natural soils, has received limited attention in low impact development technologies (LIDs), despite its potential impact on stormwater performance. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the effects, detection and modelling of preferential flow in three common LID systems: green roofs, bioretention, and pervious pavements. While preferential flow negatively affects the retention and detention performance of green roofs, it is considered beneficial for mitigating clogging in bioretention systems. Coarse-grained LID media, such as green roof substrates, bioretention media and pavement aggregates, are particularly susceptible to preferential flow, with plant interactions adding complexity to its formation. Several attempts have been made to characterize preferential flow in LID media through detection techniques based on water movement, breakthrough curves, and dye tracing. As an advanced technique, X-ray scanning has also been introduced for the noninvasive identification of preferential flow. The dual-porosity model is a simple and effective tool for accounting for preferential flow in LID; however, determining the required parameters for multilayered systems, such as pervious pavements, remains a significant challenge. Future research should focus on monitoring preferential flow in field-scale LIDs, investigating the factors influencing preferential flow initiation, and optimizing the stormwater performance of LIDs in the presence of preferential flow.

Keywords: Low impact development; Preferential flow; Green roofs; Bioretention; Pervious pavements; Dual-porosity model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-025-04335-y

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