Full Description

Efforts to balance future development with ecologic health, surface water quality, and quality of life have resulted in an integrated watershed-based approach to storm water management for the City of Lenexa, Kansas. A study of the proposed Coon Creek Regional Storm Water Detention Lake has resulted in the protection of surface water quality using innovative storm water management techniques. Through a series of public reviews and meetings with concerned citizens, the selected storm water management scenario was developed. The preferred plan reduces the risk of flooding and improves water quality while providing ancillary community amenities. The project establishes a forward-looking precedent for the City of Lenexa. Local storm water management performance standards are being revised to facilitate more environmentally sensitive site design and construction practices. The revised standards incorporate water quality, best management practices such as bioretention and other low impact solutions for storm water storage and conveyance systems. Exemplifying the connection between watershed management and improved water quality, this project illustrates practical applications of wetlands, riparian buffers, and other best management practices. Water quality benefits are more likely to result from well-planned watershed practices. This paper presents the public process used to develop the preferred storm water management plan, the technical attributes of the plan, and the schedule for implementation. A preliminary engineering study of the proposed Coon Creek Regional Storm Water Detention Lake in Lenexa, Kansas has resulted in the development of several innovative solutions for management of storm water within a rapidly urbanizing environment. Through a series of public review meetings of the study with concerned citizens, a final selected storm water management alternative was developed. To meet project goals, the selected alternative seeks to conserve environmental quality, reduce the risk of flooding, provide recreational opportunities and create community amenities supportive of quality development in an economical manner. The selected alternative integrates upland best management practices (BMPs), stream restoration and conservation and regional storm water detention. The alternative proposes a system of innovative in-stream wetland treatment "eyebrows" and chain of small lakes and wetlands that provide flood detention, improved water quality, stream flow augmentation, and greenway trails along with interpretive signage. The system of lakes and wetlands also includes wetland and riparian filters as well as the installation of upstream best management practices such as infiltration basins and aggressive erosion and sediment control practices. The project is part of a larger effort to inventory and conserve stream corridors in the developing western portion of the City of Lenexa. The inventory and rapid ecological assessment of stream corridors helped to develop a system to rank riparian habitat quality for each stream segment. High quality environs in the upland areas of the Coon Creek watershed and other undeveloped areas of Lenexa were also identified. The project includes revisions to APWA Section 5600 performance standards for storm water to facilitate more environmentally-sensitive site design and construction practices. The revised standards incorporate water quality best management practices such as bioretention and other "green solutions" for storm water storage and conveyance. Includes figures.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/19/2003 Number of Pages: 13File Size: 1 file , 1.3 MB