Rain Gardens, Bio Swales, Natural storm water solutions…

[Philip (PJ) Benenati]

Thanks I will make sure to look through your photos.

Since our installation our raingarden has apparently received several large storm events with the berm holding up and the system draining well. I will certainly be watching it over time to see its performance. The raingarden is currently under 4 ft of snow, so the spring may be a good time to judge how durable it is.

Has anyone had experience working these systems into urban conditions?

[Tanya Olson]

See the work of Joan Nassauer and the CIty of Maplewood MN. There was an article on them a couple of issues back in LAM. That is more suburban (older suburbs, though, so more dense than suburbs are now) – no curb and gutter had been installed yet so they have been able to utilize existing draininage ditches a bit.
One cool project is in Albuquerque at the children’s science museum – another parking lot infiltration area, though not a wetland – spatially, it works well with the parking lot making a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Though it didn’t significantly reduce the size of the parking lot it makes it SEEM a lot smaller….

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

I am working on a rainwater harvesting system for a residential client that includes bioswales/infiltration and water-reuse. The client is seeking LEED platinum status for his project.
Also, I am working on several streetscape projects that are including stormwater initiatives that include bioswales and permeable paving.
Additionally, my firm is working on a public school that will feature rain gardens/bioswale areas with interactive signage that teaches kids about stormwater management.

[Colm Dooley]

Hi,

I will certainly post some images of the grass roof as soon as i can. I have been taking photos through the construction phase, I only seeded the roof in september and there is not much to look at at the moment.
~I am hoping by the end of the summer there should be a nice sward and lots of wildflowers on the roof.
So once that has happened you will be one of the first to see them

Regards

[Philip (PJ) Benenati]

Philip, for your streetscape projects were you using bioswales or bioretention planters?

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