All land uses affect storm water runoff However, different uses of the same site generate varying amounts of runoff Many communities have come to rely upon detention and/or retention basins for controlling the additional runoff resulting from land development. It is argued that this incremental approach to storm water management must be replaced with a more proactive long-term view.To achieve this, more user-friendly software capable of modeling the effect long-range land use plans have on the volume and behavior of storm water runoff is needed. This software, called a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS), must be capable of guiding the user, who may not be an expert at runoff analysis, through the process and also capable of generating output in various formats understandable by lay persons. This study utilizes a systems analysis technique to develop a theoretical framework for the Storm Water SDSS. / Department of Urban Planning