The eLearning Center for B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc.

This course is intended to present recommended design procedures and guidelines for use in complying with the requirements of Section 1-303.03 Stormwater Storage.

The main purpose of a detention basin is to store excess runoff thus reducing peak discharges downstream. Detention basins should be considered when increased runoff due to highway activities would cause additional damage to downstream property or would worsen flooding conditions. The cost of a detention basin should be compared to other methods of mitigation, such as downstream channel improvements or purchasing flood easements, to determine the most feasible solution.

A detention facility should be designed to project an image acceptable to the public. Multiple use of detention facilities is also a major means of gaining public acceptance for the stormwater management facility. Because an area used for detention of runoff may have other uses; the size, shape and slopes of the detention facility should be compatible with such auxiliary uses of the facility. In addition, the allowable depth of water for the design discharge and the length of time that stored water remains in the facility should also be compatible with other uses of the facility.

In this course, the student will review Chapter 12 of the Illinois Department of Transportation Drainage Manual. This course is relevant to municipal engineers, highway engineers, and consulting engineers serving private developers.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty (30) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credit.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).