Impact from a superstore construction in Bartholomew's basin

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose is to study the possible environmental impact from a supercenter construction on a 313,643‐m2 land by the Bayou Bartholomew.Design/methodology/approachThe sources of information were field work, flood maps, flood models, 100 years of rainfall data, soil quality, water infiltration rate, and traffic flows in the areas around the supercenter. Rainfall data were used to find the frequency of flashfloods under different flood models. The supercenter center obstructs the virgin drainage of water down the bayou. Bernoulli's equation was used to estimate delays in the flashflood drainage following the constricted flow after the construction of the supercenter. Overloads of traffic flows on selected city roads in the event of submergence of the main road were studied.FindingsA total of eight major flashfloods per century occur. Bernoulli's theorem predicts flooding over wider areas and of longer duration. About 32,248 m3 of recharging of groundwater will be affected. Traffic loads will increase by about three times on the state highway 15 beside the supercenter. Rain‐drained automobile engine oil drips will cause bayou's water quality to deteriorate.Research limitations/implicationsPrediction needs to be checked during flashfloods occurrences. Water quality in the bayou upstream and downstream of the supercenter needs to be monitored.Practical implicationsPolicy makers in the city government and urban development will benefit from the findings.Originality/valueThe paper upholds the multifarious environmental problems and as such it is of interest to urban planners, farmers, water quality monitors, groundwater hydrologists, and businessmen who would like to serve the community.