Stormwater Solutions at Western Michigan University

K&A is working with WMU on a variety of stormwater related projects at several locations throughout their campus. Construction for the Lot 23 Stormwater Treatment System (left) was completed in the Fall of 2009. The system treats approximately 32 acres of campus that previously  drained to Arcadia Creek with no pre-treatment.  The new sediment forebay and wet detention system is capable of treating approximately 110,000 cubic feet of runoff, which is associated with a 1.5-inch, 24-hour rainfall event (between 4 to 6-month return frequency).  The captured stormwater will be slowly released to Arcadia Creek over a 48-hour period following each rainfall event.  Further details are available by clicking on the project summary below. In addition, WMU was awarded a grant for TMDL planning on campus that will involve K&A in designing and pre-engineering potential stormwater BMPs associated with their 650-acre main campus.
Project Summary

Woods Lake Stormwater Study and Implementation

K&A completed a study of Woods Lake located in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan with a focus on improving water quality conditions. The only input to the lake other than direct precipitation is stormwater runoff from the surrounding 200-acre watershed. Decades of stormwater runoff from the six storm drains around the lake that feed into the system has created numerous water quality issues, including nuisance weed growth, diminished water clarity, bacterial contamination, sedimentation and accumulation of pollutants from roadway runoff.

To address these concerns, the study included as assessment of current conditions surrounding the lake; measurement of specific pollutant levels in stormwater, lake water and sediments through water quality monitoring; and, identifying options and developing strategies to stop further degradation and reverse degraded conditions.
Project Summary

City of Portage Regional Stormwater Treatment and Trailways

K&A, in partnership with URS Corporation, assisted the City of Portage, Michigan to implement a holistic plan to mitigate urban stormwater runoff impacts and improve receiving stream water quality in its most developed urban core. The plan was driven by regulation but accomplished by including a creative balance of drain maintenance, environmental improvements, recreational and wildlife enhancements, tax base increases through land reclamation, and support for critical economic elements within the City.

To address water quality concerns associated with the Consolidated Drain, the City initiated an improvement study to identify permanent corrective measures. They received funds from a Section 319 grantto support recommended improvements for the drain.
Project Summary | Website

MSU Commuter Lot Stormwater Treatment

K&A was retained by URS Corporation to address two main objectives at Michigan State University (MSU) for stormwater treatment at largest commuter lot in the nation. The objectives included an effective storm water management and treatment design for Lot# 89 and portions of the “Pavilion” complex through in-line, first-time treatment systems for runoff by the addition of new on-site BMPs. In addition, K&A was asked to design a plant to enhance, renovate and expand the wetlands south of Mt. Hope Road to utilize additional treated water for the creation of added diversity and new habitat.

As part of this project, K&A performed soils, hydraulics and vegetation analyses near the site. K&A also designed a conceptual stormwater treatment system using results from their hydrologic modeling, water quality monitoring, wetland delineation, and wetland mitigation design.
Project Summary

Study of Urban Thermal Enrichment of Stormwater in Portage Creek, Michigan

K&A led a five-year thermal enrichment study, supported in part by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Environment Now Fund in Portage Creek and at the Consolidated Drain project site in Portage, Michigan. The Consolidated Drain is the single largest stormwater discharge to Portage Creek, a tributary to the Kalamazoo River. The Creek is also a designated coldwater trout stream. This research effort was initiated to evaluate and identify innovative and/or traditional approaches to moderate temperature impacts associated with urban stormwater runoff.

The hypothesis of this project was that stormwater systems can be designed to eliminate major alterations to the stream ecology due to thermal enrichment through enhancement or substitution of traditional design and Best Management Practices. This hypothesis was tested through monitoring and evaluation of the hydrologic and thermal regime of the Consolidated Drain system and the receiving stream, Portage Creek, both prior to and after installation of the Regional Stormwater Treatment and Trailways Facility.
Project Summary | Website

Axtell Creek Rain Garden at Maple Street Elementary

K&A, in partnership with the Kalamazoo Nature Center, designed and implemented a rain garden demonstration site at Maple Street School located in the Axtell Creek watershed. The project was funded by a Clean Water Act Section 319 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The primary goal of the project was to reduce nonpoint source pollution caused by stormwater runoff. The rain garden was designed to intercept stormwater runoff that would normally enter the storm drain near the school and discharge directly to Axtell Creek.

The removal of a portion of current storm water runoff was achieved through infiltration into the garden. In addition to direct infiltration, the rain garden incorporates biotreatment of storm water runoff.  All new vegetation planted within the rain garden consists of Michigan native plant species that are accustomed to a variety of climate conditions, water absorption capabilities, pollutant uptake capacities and root zone depths.
Project Summary | Website

Impacts to Portage Creek caused by direct urban stormwater runoff from Loy Norrix High School included flashy flows during rain storms resulting in degraded stream habitat, streambank erosion, and sediment and nutrient loading to a cold water fishery.  These concerns were cited within the approved Watershed Management Plan for Portage-Arcadia Creeks.  A Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) provided funding toward implementation of the necessary BMPs.  Project goals were to reduce direct runoff into Portage Creek from approximately 10-acres of impervious surfaces, capture and treat the first 1.25 inches of stormwater runoff, and establish deep-rooted native vegetation to aid with sediment and nutrient removal.

The efforts associated with this implementation grant were guided by a Steering Committee (SC) process.  The Forum of Greater Kalamazoo (Forum) served as the administrative lead and, therefore, the MDEQ grantee for implementation funding.  K&A provided technical consulting services through preliminary design, engineering plans and specifications, owner meetings and approvals, DEQ engineering review submittals, competitive contractor bids, and construction oversight assistance.  Project Benefits included:

• Bioretention for capture/treatment of urban stormwater runoff = 1.5 ac-ft
• Soil stabilization, seeding and mulching = 0.97 acres
• Supplemental vegetative plugs = 3,000 plants
• Use of photodegradable erosion control blankets
• Temporary fencing to protect new vegetation
• Permanent educational sign (1) to describe BMP approaches and benefits
• Reduction of ~8 lbs total phosphorus/yr
• Reduction of ~1.9 tons sediment/yr
• Reduction of ~6.4 lbs nitrogen/yr