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![A Low Cost Method to Enhance Stormwater Basins and Reduce Maintenance Costs
Mike Haberland 1, Craig McGee 2, Chasity Williams 2
1Rutgers
Cooperative Extension of Burlington & Camden Counties, NJ,
2Camden County Soil Conservation District, NJ.
Vegetation
Abstract Native switchgrass was hand seeded in the basin bottom (Fig. 4).
Stormwater detention basins are primarily designed for flood control but can be “retrofitted” Native herbaceous vegetation, or wild flower mix can also be used. This
by increasing native vegetation, altering flow through structures and minimizing mowing to is done by either: removing the sod layer and replanting with seed; by
provide increased infiltration and increased wildlife habitat. Rutgers Cooperative “drilling” seed through the existing grass; or by planting plugs of new
Extension Agents are working with the Camden Soil Conservation District and Cherry Hill, herbaceous plants into the existing bottom. If shrubs are to be used,
NJ, municipal officials to retrofit existing basins. Retrofitting, or “naturalizing” basins can they should be clumped in “islands” and not spread out through the
provide a benefit to the surrounding ecosystem by providing sufficient time and area for basin. This will help keep the shrubs from being mowed down during the
stormwater to infiltrate on site, while incorporating native vegetation for pocket suburban annual maintenance.
habitats. Naturalizing a basin can also provide valuable environmental education
opportunities.
Current Project Fig. 1 Concrete low flow channel in basin
In this project we retrofitted several existing detention basins in Cherry Hill, NJ. These retrofits should provide
improved water quality treatment, reducing sediment and nutrient loadings to the stream, increase infiltration
(Guo, 2009) and be cost effective. Basin retrofits are also designed to provide detention of stormwater over a
greater surface area allowing for infiltration and pollutant removal of the smaller, more frequent storm events
(less than 1.25 inches), and reducing or delaying the peak discharge to the receiving waterbody.
The identification of a good basin to retrofit would include finding one
that has: short turf-type vegetation from regular mowing; a low flow
concrete channel (Fig. 1); a discharge orifice greater than 3 inches; Fig. 2 Removing concrete low flow channel Fig.3 Leveling ponding area
and is not used for other purposes when dry. It is also important to Maintenance
consider the depth to groundwater so that the potential infiltration is Instead of weekly or bi-weekly mowing, retrofitted basins
maximized. need only be mowed once a year, preferably in late fall
One of the main goals with retrofitting a basin is to increase the after the first frost. By not mowing during the growing
surface area that stormwater covers thereby increasing the volume season, the mature vegetation can improve wildlife habitat
of stormwater that can be filtered through the vegetation and and provide ecological benefit. If possible, mowing when
infiltrated into the soil. This typically involves modifying the low flow the ground is frozen will prevent or greatly reduce
channel by either: 1) removing the concrete low flow channel and compaction and rutting in the basin bottom. In addition,
replacing it with vegetation or stone; 2) placing a structure across annually remove woody or unwanted vegetation before it
the channel to deflect the stormwater out into the basin, modifying gets out of control.
the outlet structure (Emerson, et. al., 2005). Results Fig. 4 Hand seeding switchgrass
Stormwater detention basins are primarily designed for flood control The desired result of a successful detention basin retrofit is to provide runoff from the smaller
but can be “retrofitted” by increasing native vegetation, altering flow storms with the time and space (storage) to infiltrate to groundwater, while providing the
through structures and minimizing mowing to provide increased necessary flood protection at all times. Beautiful native vegetation can become a site of
infiltration and increased wildlife habitat. Retrofitting, or environmental education while providing the local community with increased ecosystem
“naturalizing” basins can provide a benefit to the surrounding diversity.
ecosystem by providing sufficient time and area for stormwater to An additional benefit of the basin retrofits is the potential maintenance cost savings due to
infiltrate on site, while incorporating native vegetation for pocket reduced mowing schedules and reduced consumption of resources for mowing (Blaine &
suburban habitats. Naturalizing a basin can also provide valuable Smith, 2006). Since retrofitting five basins, the Director of Public Works for the Township of
environmental education opportunities. This project was designed Cherry Hill, NJ, estimates saving up to $20,000 annually in maintenance costs. This
to implement and report on the efficiency of a cost effective provides a window into the potential benefit that changing the manicuring methods of
stormwater basin retrofit option using native switchgrass. The stormwater management that have become entrenched in towns across the country could
current basin retrofit and renovations took advantage of the existing have on our future.
basin conditions, including soil conditions and topography to
improve the basins effectiveness in reducing peak rates of runoff References
and treating stormwater for nutrients, bacteria and total suspended
Blanie, T. W. & Smith, T. (2006). From Water Quality to Riparian Corridors: Assessing Willingness to Pay
solids. The low flow channel was removed (Fig. 2) and the slope of
for Conservation Easements Using the Contingent Valuation Method. Journal of Extension [On-line],
the basin bottom was flattened to 0% to increase the ponding area 44(2) Article 2FEA7. Available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2006april/a7.php
(Fig.3).
Emerson, C., C. Welty, & R. Traver. (2005). Watershed-Scale Evaluation of a System of Storm Water
Detention Basins. Journal Hydrologic Engineering. Volume 10, Issue 3, pp. 237-242
Guo, J. (2009). Retrofitting Detention Basin with Water Quality Control Pool.
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Vol. 135, No. 5, pp. 671-675](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/nacaaspringdalebasin-110820170629-phpapp01/75/Nacaa-springdale-basin-1-2048.jpg)
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Nacaa springdale basin
1) Stormwater detention basins can be retrofitted to increase infiltration and wildlife habitat by increasing native vegetation, altering flow paths, and minimizing mowing. 2) This project retrofitted several existing detention basins in Cherry Hill, NJ by removing concrete channels, flattening slopes, and planting native switchgrass to increase stormwater infiltration and pollutant removal. 3) Retrofitting basins can save up to $20,000 annually in reduced maintenance costs for the township while improving stormwater management and creating environmental education opportunities.
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- 1. A Low CostMethod to Enhance Stormwater Basins and Reduce Maintenance Costs Mike Haberland 1, Craig McGee 2, Chasity Williams 2 1Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington & Camden Counties, NJ, 2Camden County Soil Conservation District, NJ. Vegetation Abstract Native switchgrass was hand seeded in the basin bottom (Fig. 4). Stormwater detention basins are primarily designed for flood control but can be “retrofitted” Native herbaceous vegetation, or wild flower mix can also be used. This by increasing native vegetation, altering flow through structures and minimizing mowing to is done by either: removing the sod layer and replanting with seed; by provide increased infiltration and increased wildlife habitat. Rutgers Cooperative “drilling” seed through the existing grass; or by planting plugs of new Extension Agents are working with the Camden Soil Conservation District and Cherry Hill, herbaceous plants into the existing bottom. If shrubs are to be used, NJ, municipal officials to retrofit existing basins. Retrofitting, or “naturalizing” basins can they should be clumped in “islands” and not spread out through the provide a benefit to the surrounding ecosystem by providing sufficient time and area for basin. This will help keep the shrubs from being mowed down during the stormwater to infiltrate on site, while incorporating native vegetation for pocket suburban annual maintenance. habitats. Naturalizing a basin can also provide valuable environmental education opportunities. Current Project Fig. 1 Concrete low flow channel in basin In this project we retrofitted several existing detention basins in Cherry Hill, NJ. These retrofits should provide improved water quality treatment, reducing sediment and nutrient loadings to the stream, increase infiltration (Guo, 2009) and be cost effective. Basin retrofits are also designed to provide detention of stormwater over a greater surface area allowing for infiltration and pollutant removal of the smaller, more frequent storm events (less than 1.25 inches), and reducing or delaying the peak discharge to the receiving waterbody. The identification of a good basin to retrofit would include finding one that has: short turf-type vegetation from regular mowing; a low flow concrete channel (Fig. 1); a discharge orifice greater than 3 inches; Fig. 2 Removing concrete low flow channel Fig.3 Leveling ponding area and is not used for other purposes when dry. It is also important to Maintenance consider the depth to groundwater so that the potential infiltration is Instead of weekly or bi-weekly mowing, retrofitted basins maximized. need only be mowed once a year, preferably in late fall One of the main goals with retrofitting a basin is to increase the after the first frost. By not mowing during the growing surface area that stormwater covers thereby increasing the volume season, the mature vegetation can improve wildlife habitat of stormwater that can be filtered through the vegetation and and provide ecological benefit. If possible, mowing when infiltrated into the soil. This typically involves modifying the low flow the ground is frozen will prevent or greatly reduce channel by either: 1) removing the concrete low flow channel and compaction and rutting in the basin bottom. In addition, replacing it with vegetation or stone; 2) placing a structure across annually remove woody or unwanted vegetation before it the channel to deflect the stormwater out into the basin, modifying gets out of control. the outlet structure (Emerson, et. al., 2005). Results Fig. 4 Hand seeding switchgrass Stormwater detention basins are primarily designed for flood control The desired result of a successful detention basin retrofit is to provide runoff from the smaller but can be “retrofitted” by increasing native vegetation, altering flow storms with the time and space (storage) to infiltrate to groundwater, while providing the through structures and minimizing mowing to provide increased necessary flood protection at all times. Beautiful native vegetation can become a site of infiltration and increased wildlife habitat. Retrofitting, or environmental education while providing the local community with increased ecosystem “naturalizing” basins can provide a benefit to the surrounding diversity. ecosystem by providing sufficient time and area for stormwater to An additional benefit of the basin retrofits is the potential maintenance cost savings due to infiltrate on site, while incorporating native vegetation for pocket reduced mowing schedules and reduced consumption of resources for mowing (Blaine & suburban habitats. Naturalizing a basin can also provide valuable Smith, 2006). Since retrofitting five basins, the Director of Public Works for the Township of environmental education opportunities. This project was designed Cherry Hill, NJ, estimates saving up to $20,000 annually in maintenance costs. This to implement and report on the efficiency of a cost effective provides a window into the potential benefit that changing the manicuring methods of stormwater basin retrofit option using native switchgrass. The stormwater management that have become entrenched in towns across the country could current basin retrofit and renovations took advantage of the existing have on our future. basin conditions, including soil conditions and topography to improve the basins effectiveness in reducing peak rates of runoff References and treating stormwater for nutrients, bacteria and total suspended Blanie, T. W. & Smith, T. (2006). From Water Quality to Riparian Corridors: Assessing Willingness to Pay solids. The low flow channel was removed (Fig. 2) and the slope of for Conservation Easements Using the Contingent Valuation Method. Journal of Extension [On-line], the basin bottom was flattened to 0% to increase the ponding area 44(2) Article 2FEA7. Available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2006april/a7.php (Fig.3). Emerson, C., C. Welty, & R. Traver. (2005). Watershed-Scale Evaluation of a System of Storm Water Detention Basins. Journal Hydrologic Engineering. Volume 10, Issue 3, pp. 237-242 Guo, J. (2009). Retrofitting Detention Basin with Water Quality Control Pool. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Vol. 135, No. 5, pp. 671-675