InfoDrainage
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TR-55 Manual (PDF): Download the official USDA guide + an engineer’s guide
Download the latest official USDA TR-55 Manual and learn how the NRCS Curve Number method, Time of Concentration, hydrographs, and detention basin calculations are used in modern stormwater design. Technical Release 55—commonly called TR-55, TR 55, or TR55—is the USDA/NRCS Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds manual. It is one of the most widely used stormwater…
Drainage design
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NZ firm Envelope: Building new communities that connect to the natural and cultural landscape
Envelope is a proudly Pasifika-owned New Zealand-based civil and structural engineering consultancy firm that is overflowing with home-grown personality. Assembled a decade ago, they are growing fast and have already opened their first international outpost in Glasgow. The firm is well-known for its vibrant people-first culture that leans heavily into Maori and Pasifika roots. They…
Drainage design
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What is a bioretention system and how does it help control stormwater runoff?
Bioretention systems are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Bioretention is a stormwater management practice that harnesses natural processes to treat and manage stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways,…
Sustainability
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New in InfoDrainage 2026.1: ‘AutoProfiling’ generates drainage profiles for you
The latest release of InfoDrainage, version 2026.1, brings a suite of new features and improvements that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your drainage design workflows. The standout feature for this release is AutoProfiling, which simplifies the creation and management of flow paths and drainage profiles. Streamlining drainage profiles with AutoProfiling In the realm of…
Product news
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XPSWMM vs. InfoWorks ICM vs. InfoDrainage: Which solution do you need?
First released for Windows in 1997, XPSWMM aided stormwater and flood professionals in taking on the water challenges of its time. It was an incredibly powerful tool that the water industry adopted to solve the challenges it faced. But time and software development always marches on. Over time, most users adopted more powerful solutions like…
Storm, sewer, flood
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ASCE 2025 Infrastructure Report Card for America: How did water do?
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gave U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of C. This is the country’s highest grade since ASCE began issuing the report in 1998. But the results for water infrastructure were less encouraging. Drinking water received a C-, wastewater a D+, and stormwater a D,…
Industry news
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Do you need a Rainwater Management Plan? This Irish manual provides excellent guidance.
Anthony McCloy is the managing director of McCloy Consulting and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars, provides university lectures, delivers national SuDS training workshops and has recently contributed to Ireland’s Rainwater Management Plans: Guidance for Local Authorities. Does your municipality need an RMP – a Rainwater Management Plan? In the UK, there are lots of…
Drainage design
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How does cellular storage work for stormwater control?
Cellular storage is a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Certain stormwater controls are designed in ways that effectively divert water away from a site – but not cellular storage systems. Sometimes also…
Drainage design
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The benefits of porous pavement in drainage design
Porous pavement is a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Sometimes called permeable pavement, porous pavement is an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to managing stormwater runoff in urban areas. As cities have…
Drainage design
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What is a swale? Definition, purpose, and how it works.
Swales are a common sustainable drainage feature that provides a simple and effective way to manage stormwater runoff. They are commonly used along roads, parking lots, developments, and other areas where rain falling on hard surfaces needs somewhere to go. A swale is a shallow channel or depression designed to collect, slow, and convey stormwater…
Drainage design