Which Is The Right Skimmer For The Job?

 

Calculate your skimmer size below for the best fit for your site

 

 

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Sediment Basin Skimmer Calculators:

Engineer Tool: Calculate Faircloth Skimmer® Size & Print Detail Drawing

Use the following calculator to create a detail drawing in PDF or PNG format. You can then print or save the document/image and easily add it to your plan set. Note: You can calculate multiple skimmer basins with this tool! — simply click “Add Row” to add a basin to the detail.

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Simple Faircloth Skimmer Sizing Calculator
The required basin volume is the actual volume you intend to drain, not the provided or total volume which is often larger. If a pool of water is to be maintained between storms, do not include that volume. Number of Days to drain is usually determined by local or state regulations. Where there is no requirement 3 days is recommended. Keep in mind the quicker the basin is to drain the larger the skimmer required. In NC, assume 3 days to drain.
Skimmer Size

0 inches

Orifice Percentage

0%

 

Basin Volume Calculator

If you do not know the basin’s volume but you do know the approximate dimensions and depth of a square or rectangular basin, use this calculator to estimate the volume. Note: this is total volume, not required volume

Length Width
Top of water surface in feet
Bottom dimensions in feet
Depth in feet
Estimated Basin Volume

0 cubic feet

Important To Note

 

The skimmer sizing calculator is a useful tool—but it does not replace sound engineering judgment or common sense.

For example, if the volume entered exceeds the maximum calculated capacity of a given skimmer by even one cubic foot, the calculator will automatically recommend the next larger size. In many cases, however, the smaller skimmer may still be sufficient, depending on site-specific conditions and reasonable design assumptions.

It’s important to remember:

  • The calculator assumes the basin fills completely during every rain event, which is rarely the case.
  • It assumes inflow stops once the basin is full, though inflow often continues and can extend the drain time.
  • It does not account for the possibility of multiple rain events before the basin has fully drained.

Because of these variables, we recommend using the calculator alongside the flow capacity chart and applying professional judgment to determine the most appropriate skimmer size.

Flow Capacities (in ft 3 ) For The Faircloth Skimmer®

Skimmer size 1.5″ 2″ 2.5″ 3″ 4″ 5″ 6″ 8″
24 hours 1,782 3,928 6,605 9,517 19,063 30,526 52,645 92,585
2 day 3,564 7,856 13,210 19,034 38,126 61,052 105,290 185,170
3 day 5,346 11,784 19,815 28,551 57,189 91,578 157,935 277,755
4 day 7,128 15,712 26,420 38,068 76,252 122,104 210,580 370,340
5 day 8,910 19,640 33,025 47,585 95,315 152,630 263,225 462,925
6 day 10,692 23,568 39,630 57,102 114,378 183,156 315,870 555,510
7 day 12,474 27,496 46,235 66,619 133,441 213,682 368,515 648,095

Note: All flow rates tested and confirmed by the Stormwater Research Facility at Auburn University. Click Here to read more.