Stormwater Management, Landscape Architecture,Designscapes, Inc., Frankenmuth, Michigan

Water accumulates in the lowest part of the rain gardens, up to a depth of 6 inches. Within 24-36 hours, excess water has filtered down through the soil to an under-drain connected to the storm sewer.

NORTH CENTER MEDICAL -- SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI
BIO-RETENTION AREAS More project info

Bio-retention is a newer concept for managing storm water. It utilizes landscape areas rather than detention ponds to detain and filter the storm water. The primary advantages over the standard "pipe and pond" approach are being able to maintain the pre-development site hydrology and remove pollutants from the storm water prior to discharging from the site. Usually, the cost savings from eliminating storm sewer structures and detention basins on the site will pay for the cost of special soils in the bio-retention areas of the landscape.

Employee garden accepts storm water runoff

The lowest and wettest areas of the entrance garden are planted with moisture- tolerant bulbs and perennials. The bloom sequence lasts from spring through fall.

Diverse plantings are selected for adaptability to varying soil moisture levels and long bloom times.

Most commercial projects handle storm water with either an unsightly detention basin or with storage on or below the parking lot. The photos (above & below) of North Center Medical, show how a far better alternative, bio-retention, utilizes the landscape to detain and filter the storm water. Most visitors see the beautiful garden spaces without realizing they are detention basins. The rain water from the roof, sidewalks, and some of the rear parking lot drains into

three bio-retention areas: the employee garden at the northeast corner of the building, the lawn east of the rear parking lot, and the front entrance garden. The fountain is supplied with rain water from the roof. Rain first fills the fountain basin and any surplus water flows into the bio-retention area.

(Click on images to see enlarged photos.)

BIO-RETENTION is a proven but relatively new system that utilizes the landscape for managing storm water. This can truly be a “win-win” situation:

The need for a separate (and unsightly) detention basin is reduced or eliminated. Instead, there is a beautiful landscape that filters the runoff water before it leaves the site.
The area required for storm water management also provides the landscape plantings that ordinances usually require.
The need for landscape irrigation is often reduced or eliminated.
You will be on the cutting edge of environmentally friendly technology. With a bit of promotion, this could be a very good public relations tool for you and your clients.
This can eliminate most or all of the catch basins in the parking lot. As a result, your pavements will hold up better and be easier to maintain.
Systems to filter the storm water runoff will soon be required by Phase II NPDES regulations. By being proactive with our site design, we eliminate unnecessary delays and expense during the approval process.
The cost of the additional landscape plantings is more than balanced by the reduced infrastructure need.

Designscapes, Inc. Landscape Architecture & Project Management 659 Zehnder Drive
Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734
phone 989-652-4981 fax 989-652-4982 dscapes@dscapes.com

Storm Water Management in Landscape Design