The project consists of two large raingardens: A north raingarden (450 sq.ft.) and a south raingarden (400 sq.ft.). The Project was built in Summer, 2016, and collects water from almost 15,000 square feet of the property.
The project was funded by a VLAWMO cost-share level 2 grant, a grant from Ramsey Conservation District, and White Bear Montessori School.
The project addresses a long history of issues with water in the school basement, improved storm water runoff and groundwater recharge for the greater area, and serves as an educational tool for students.
The project features three boulder walls, specialty soil for infiltration, birch, tamarack and quaking aspen trees, a natural play area, as well as underdrains that direct excess water to the stormdrain during large rain events (over 12” ponding depth).
The project greatly reduces stormwater runoff volume, total suspended solids (sediments that go into water and cause turbidity), and total phosphorous. Calculations were made through the MIDS program.
|
Before |
After |
Reduction |
Reduction % |
Volume (cu-ft/yr) |
10,849 |
217 |
10,632 |
98% |
Total Suspended Solids (lbs/yr) |
103.20 |
2.68 |
100.52 |
97% |
Total Phosphorous (lbs/yr) |
.2745 |
.0101 |
.2644 |
96% |