A Different Approach to “Fixing” Drainage

A Different Approach to “Fixing” Drainage

Project Team
Welspryng LLC Mary and Roy Ericson (Homeowners)
Project Description

This innovative project turned the concept of fixing a backyard drainage problem, on its head. A flat area in the homeowner’s backyard held surface water, indicating a seasonally high water table and posing a challenge to implementing a typical rain garden plant palette.

The proposed solution: make it wetter! The project piped several of the home’s downspouts to a modified catch basin. The initial flush passes through the filter then enters a series of sub-surface detention chambers placed adjacent to the ponding area. Runoff in the chambers can slowly percolate into the sub-grade under the ponding area, irrigating plants from the bottom up during drier periods. Then, during wet seasons when the chambers are full, gravity forces excess water up and out of the top of the catch basin to fill the ponding area, allowing it to function like a traditional rain garden.

The net effect was a series of vernal pools. This approach, combined with a unique native plant palette specifically designed to thrive in the wet conditions, brought an exciting mix of wildlife to the backyard, including monarch butterflies, dragonflies, tadpoles, and wood frogs.

Best Residential Project

This category recognizes exceptional stormwater practices installed on a residential property. Example projects include: rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, vegetated roofs, conservation landscaping, tree planting, downspout disconnection or soil amendments. Special consideration is given to projects subsidized under local government incentive programs. Total investment in residential practices should be generally limited to less than $5,000. They can be installed by homeowners, contractors or watershed groups (if possible, please identify the designer/installer in your application).

Gallery

Attachment

Project Narrative
Download Now

Related Award Category

Wild at Heart in Accotink Creek Watershed
2021
Honorable Mention

Wild at Heart in Accotink Creek Watershed

This project received an honorable mention for it’s ability to address an extremely common point of frustration for residential homeowners: dealing with runoff that...
Read More
Woodridge RiverSmart
2021
2nd Place

Woodridge RiverSmart

This project is an excellent example of the power of community stewardship. The homeowner was informed of DOEE’s RiverSmart Homes program from a neighbor...
Read More
Yorktowne Square Stormwater Project
2021
3rd Place

Yorktowne Square Stormwater Project

This project, like many residential projects, began with the goal of eliminating the constant flooding of a ground floor residential unit. The original design...
Read More