Retention of snowmelt and rain from extensive green roofs during snow-covered periods

Abstract

Green roofs are a popular way to include nature in an urban environment. A reduction in stormwater runoff peaks and volumes are among the benefits one can expect. How is runoff from green roofs in the cold and snow-covered part of the year, when growth media freeze, plants are dormant and covered with melting snow? This paper investigates 11 years of runoff from three green extensive roofs in Oslo, Norway. Precipitation through the snow-covered period (SCP) was approximately one-third of the annual precipitation (970 mm). When runoff from green roofs is compared to runoff from a non-vegetated bitumen roof, retention of 16–31% is seen through the SCP, depending on the drainage system, fabric, soil quality, and depth. The difference in buildup did not influence the detention of the largest runoff intensities. Dampening the runoff happened even though the substrate was saturated. According to the soil moisture sensors, the capacity of the roof with the highest water retention could be increased even more if drainage could be restricted. The runoff from bitumen roofs always exceeded the runoff from green roofs. As a result, harmful inundation may be reduced in a part of the year when infiltration is restricted due to frost.