Speaking

Urban streams come with their own set of challenges, but an urban stream located in the center of a golf course poses even more. Found within the Hidden Valley Golf Course in the City of Delaware, this project undertook stream and wetland restoration in an urbanized and maintained setting. Supported by the City of Delaware and funded through the Ohio EPA Section 319 program, the project presented unique challenges and opportunities. Existing site conditions were analyzed and incorporated into the design.

This presentation will guide you through the design process, including decisions for streambank stabilization, riffle and pool design, planting plans that incorporate wetlands and riparian buffers and special considerations for working within a golf course environment. We will also review the expected reductions in nutrient levels and flood mitigation benefits achieved through the new design. Finally, we will share the lessons learned and difficulties encountered during the construction process.

As urban areas in Ohio continue to expand, linear infrastructure and roadway improvement projects face increasing challenges in meeting on-site stormwater management requirements due to spatial distribution, floodplain extent, limited land availability, narrow right-of-way and existing utilities. Compensatory best management practices (BMPs) can be designed to capture uncontrolled stormwater runoff from the same HUC watershed as the proposed project. However, they are subject to increased regulations for stormwater quality control under the Ohio EPA General Permit OHC000005 and stringent regulations for quantity control, per local stormwater requirements.

This case study showcases a project undertaken by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department at their Big Walnut Multi-Use Trail. It examines the implementation of a compensatory BMP to address both stormwater quality and quantity requirements and outlines the methodology employed in the design and modeling of the BMP. The presentation will also discuss potential implications for similar compensatory BMP sites in Ohio.