Stormwater Outfall Mapping Protocol
In January 2004, New Jersey adopted new "Phase II" Municipal Stormwater Management rules designed to reduce polluted runoff. The rules require counties and municipalities to map all stormwater outfalls that discharge to surface water over the course of 60 months, beginning in April 2004.
To assist our member governments in meeting the Municipal Stormwater Management rule outfall mapping requirements, DVRPC developed the "Stormwater Outfall Mapping Protocol". The protocol was designed to standardize and promote the collection of digital data across the region. Data collected with the protocol can be used to inform local and regional stormwater management plans, identify areas in need of restoration for future Federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants, and assist with illicit connection detection.
The protocol consists of a series of data entry forms that are designed to be displayed on an ArcPad-equipped Trimble GPS unit. Examples of data that can be collected for an individual outfall include pipe size, shape and material; structural condition; presence and severity of erosion; and pipe flow depth, odor and appearance. A full list and description of all the protocol's data fields can be viewed by downloading the Outfall Collection Procedure Guidance Document [0.1 MB .pdf].
To download and configure the protocol use the following links:
Read Me - Install Help
Read Me [0.9 MB .pdf]
This file contains the Stormwater Outfall Protocol Installation Instructions and Field Collection Guide.
Outfall ArcPad Forms
ArcPad Forms files [4.5 MB .zip]
ArcPad Project and Preference files [0.1 MB .zip]
These files contain the protocol. Follow the instructions in the readme file to Install the protocol on your handheld device.
ESRI Links
ArcPad Evaluation Copy Download Page
Click this link to download a desktop version of ArcPad 6. See the readme document for installation instructions.
ArcPad & Trimble Bundle Offers Download Page
Click this link to obtain a Trimble GPS unit with AcrPad at a discount.
Regional Outfall Data Inventory
In addition to developing the protocol, DVRPC is collecting and managing outfall data for Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, the area covered under the Tri-County Water Quality Management Plan, which is administered by DVRPC. DVRPC is undertaking this effort so that (1) municipal data can be combined at the watershed or county level; (2) outfall data can be combined with other GIS layers; and (3) DVRPC can act as a reliable storehouse, as well as clearinghouse, to make the outfall data available to other users. Currently collected data can be viewed on DVRPC's Online Mapping Webpage. To assist DVRPC in this effort, we request that data sets, i.e. shapefiles, collected with the protocol, be emailed to Chris Linn at clinn@dvrpc.org.
The current complete outfall dataset for the Tri-County region is available as a shapefile that can be used for additional planning and restoration projects, by request to Chris Linn at clinn@dvrpc.org.
DVRPC GPS Unit
To facilitate the use of the Outfall Protocol and to further assist municipalities in mapping outfalls, DVRPC has acquired a Trimble GPS unit with ArcPad that is available for use by member governments in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties. Member governments interested in using the DVRPC GPS unit for the purpose of "GPS-ing" outfalls, will be able to borrow it in two week intervals. The stormwater Outfall Protocol is installed on the GPS unit. Download the ArcPad Stormwater Outfall Protocol Instructions and Field Collection Guide [0.9 MB .pdf] to learn how to operate the GPS unit and collect outfall data using the protocol.
Please contact Chris Linn at clinn@dvrpc.org or 215-238-2873 for unit availability and to complete a release form.
Additional Stormwater Information
For more information about managing stormwater in your community, please refer to the following links: