# Outfalls

**URL:** https://aqualisco.com/service/stormwater-management/stormwater-systems/aboveground-assets/outfalls/
**Author:** YouTech Agency
**Published:** October 15, 2024

> Stormwater outfalls are crucial points of a stormwater system. Explore components of these discharge points and how they manage stormwater.

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									[Aboveground Assets](https://aqualisco.com/service/stormwater-management/stormwater-systems/aboveground-assets/)

								
				
				
				
				
					
# Commercial Stormwater Outfalls
				
				
				
				
				
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## Understanding Stormwater Outlets
				
				
		
				
				
									Stormwater Outlets or outfalls are a point where stormwater is discharged from a storm sewer or [culvert](https://aqualisco.com/what-is-a-culvert/). These stormwater control measures (SCMs) are the most common place to take samples and monitor pollutant levels.  

								
				
		
				
				
									
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															![stormwater outfall by a pond](https://aqualisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/outfalls.body_.jpg)															
				
		
		
				
				
					
## Stormwater Discharge Point
				
				
				
				
									Outfalls or outlets may release stormwater into a retention or detention area, stream or lake. Because these discharge points convey fast moving water, they are subject to erosion. [Riprap](https://aqualisco.com/service/stormwater-management/stormwater-systems/aboveground-assets/grassed-swales-and-rip-rap/) or another dissipation material may surround the outfall to slow the velocity of runoff. 

Like all SCMs, outfalls are designed to function for each site specifically and therefore may have different components. 

								
				
				
		
				
				
					
### Components of Outfalls
				
				
		
		
				
				
							
			
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									Apron

								
				
				
		
				
				
							
			
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									Headwall

								
				
				
		
				
				
							
			
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									Level Spreader

								
				
				
		
				
				
							
			
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									Rip Rap

								
				
				
		
				
				
							
			
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									Storm Grate

								
				
				
		
				
				
							
			
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									Trash Rack

								
				
				
				
				
				
					
				
		
					
				
				
							
			
		
						
				
					
				
		
				
				
					
## Stormwater Outfall Case Studies
				
				
		
					
		
				
				
					

		
		
		
		
		

        
            
            	
  
  
    	
      
        
    
          
        		
				
		
				
				
					
## Swales are designed with soil that allows water to infiltrate the ground, providing ground water recharge. Many SCMs utilize sunlight to facilitate evaporation and vegetation to facilitate denitrification
				
				
				
				
									**How SCMs Improve Water Quality**

								
				
		
				
				
									[Read the Full Blog](https://aqualisco.com/how-scms-improve-water-quality/)

								
				
				
				
							
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			**			](https://aqualisco.com/how-scms-improve-water-quality/)
		
						
				
				
				
				
				
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## The detached pipe on this property allowed water to flow freely over unprotected soil, leading to the massive eroded area.
				
				
				
				
									**Severe Outlet Erosion | Athens, Georgia**

								
				
		
				
				
									[Read the Full Case Study](https://aqualisco.com/case_study/athens-ga-stormwater-detention-pond-outlet-faces-severe-erosion/)

								
				
				
				
							
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			*			](https://aqualisco.com/case_study/athens-ga-stormwater-detention-pond-outlet-faces-severe-erosion/)
		
						
				
				
				
				
				
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## AQUALIS stormwater professionals inspected a retail property and found severe damage to multiple catch basins, necessitating repairs to prevent environmental liability and ensure site operations.
				
				
				
				
									**Catch Basin Spray Cast | Beaver Dam, Wisconsin**

								
				
		
				
				
									[Read the Full Case Study](https://aqualisco.com/case_study/beaver-dam-wis-catch-basin-spray-cast/)

								
				
				
				
							
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			*			](https://aqualisco.com/case_study/beaver-dam-wis-catch-basin-spray-cast/)
		
						
				
				
				
				
				
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## Categories

- Aboveground Assets