Constructed Stormwater Wetland
Naturescaping Enhances Wildlife Habitat & Your Property Value
Constructed Stormwater Wetland
Naturescaping Enhances Wildlife Habitat & Your Property Value
A stormwater wetland is a type of stormwater management practice that mimics the functions of natural wetlands. It collects, stores, and treats stormwater runoff using physical, chemical, and biological processes. Stormwater wetlands can help reduce peak flows, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife [3][4].
What role does a constructed stormwater wetland play in stormwater storage and control?
The role of a stormwater wetland in stormwater storage and control is to capture the design storm (the amount of rainfall that a stormwater system is designed to handle) and release it slowly over a period of two to five days. This reduces the risk of flooding and erosion downstream and allows more time for pollutants to settle or be taken up by plants [4].
What determines the dimensions of a Stormwater wetland?
The dimensions of a stormwater wetland depend on several factors, such as the drainage area, the design storm, the soil type, the groundwater level, the desired water depth, and the available space. Generally, a stormwater wetland should have a surface area of at least 1% of the drainage area and a permanent pool volume of at least 0.5 inches of runoff per impervious acre. The wetland should also have different zones of varying water depths and vegetation types to optimize treatment and habitat functions [4].
What other drainage control features direct stormwater into them?
Other drainage control features that direct stormwater into a stormwater wetland may include pipes, swales, ditches, channels, or curb cuts. These features convey runoff from the surrounding areas to the wetland inlet, where it is distributed evenly across the wetland surface. Swales and other open trench drainage features may terminate at the stormwater wetland, or they may continue to convey excess runoff to another outlet [4].
Does the stormwater wetland enhance the wildlife habitat of the property or area?
A stormwater wetland can enhance the wildlife habitat of the property or area by providing food, shelter, and breeding sites for various aquatic and terrestrial species. A well-designed stormwater wetland can attract birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals, and increase the biodiversity and ecological value of the site [4][5]. However, care should be taken to avoid introducing invasive or exotic species that may harm the native ecosystem [4].
What are the steps involved in planning and building a constructed stormwater wetland?
The steps involved in planning and building a stormwater wetland may vary depending on the site conditions and the design specifications, but they generally include the following:
The benefits of a stormwater wetland for a property owner may include:
The benefits of a stormwater wetland for wildlife habitat may include:
What are some common mistakes in building a stormwater wetland?
Resources
Past Excavation Projects
The above image shows Texoma Excavation & Construction digging a new power supply ditch and tying into the existing live power supply near Melissa, Texas. The paver stones were salvaged to be replaced. All the PVC, electrical conduit, phone lines, and small electrical lines that were destroyed were anticipated.
Pond building is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. After all the planning, the first construction step is excavation of the area where the pond will be located. The pond excavation work shown above was near Montague, Texas. When this pond is full, it will be 7′ 2″ deep at its deepest point.
Residential drainage excavation work done near Denison, Texas. This client had some significant drainage problems during periods of high-volume runoff and tried to excavate a ditch to channel water away from his house. We were hired to polish the existing ditch and spread some grass seed.
