building natural drainage systems with neighborhood street

1

N a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

Jim Johnson, Project [email protected]

Seattle Public Utilities

http://www.seattle.gov/util/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/Natural_Drainage_Systems/

Building Natural Drainage Systems


Natural Drainage Systems:An alternative approach to

stormwater management that delivers higher levels of

protection for receiving waters with neighborhood street

improvements at a lower cost than traditional street and drainage improvements.


Just west of Greenwood Av(above and left)

Carkeek Cascade

Just west of Greenwood Av N Just west of 2nd Av NW

deliver higher levels of protection for receiving watersN a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

SEA Street

$325,0008sidewalk one side

860 trees, 1,000 shrubs

8curved roadway

8upground detention

Traditional Street

$435,0008sidewalk two sides

820 trees

8straight roadway

8buried detention structure

Alternative approaches deliver lower life cycle costs than traditional improvements:

Alternative approaches deliver lower life cycle costs than traditional improvements:


Key MessagesYou should have something for everybody:

•traffic•pedestrians

•environment•property values

•building community

Implementing NDSN a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

Some of the City’s Key Messages

2


Balanced hydrologic cycle, 15% runoff

Unbalanced hydrologic cycle,55+ % runoff

The result

The result


• 25% of Seattle’s total land surface is street right-of-way

1972 1996

•Decreased forest cover due to development


BALANCING DEMANDS:•Limited Resources (budget)

•Regulatory Requirements:

•Detention

•Water Quality Treatment

• Community Priorities:

• Control Flooding

•Preserve/Restore Salmon Runs

•Provide Safe Pedestrian Access

•Calm Traffic


Options


Partner with Homeowners ...

Empower them to become part of the solution...


Minimize pavement…

Decreases runoff generating impervious area and increases areas for stormwater management

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Integrate Horticulture, Landscape Architecture and Engineering: Drainage conveyance shares

space with landscaping trees and gardens


Sidewalks create an inviting pedestrian

environment

• 100+ trees

•1000+ shrubs

•2-1/2 times the amount of a typical

street


…the street becomes a shared

“front yard”

Gentle transitions at the right of way line…blurthe private property interface…


Challenges


Last Name House No. Street Zip

Abuts Catch

M Mail? Home Phone e-mail Record of Contact

Comments Mee

ting

3/7

/02

Abuts110th M

eetin

g 10

/26/

2002

Pfautz 10556 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 425.237.3957

Williams 10559 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 368-0195

some new landscape by owner, Jim talked to him 7/23/03, he might want walkway connection to 107th Sidewalk.

Townsend 10535 Evanston Ave N 98133 Y 361-2706

Boswell-Williams 10702 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 361-2125

NE Corner of 107th and 1st RR Tie retaining wall has cement block behind it, playhouse in 107th ROW to be reloced by owner. We will replace fence in kind at 107th ROW line. She wants to put in driveway on south side of house, connecting to 1st, she is working with DCLU. X

Myers 10703 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 789-9333 [email protected]

NW Corner of 107th and 1st wood fence sm rockery in ROW, we will replace fence at ROW in kind, rockery to be removed

Gardner 10708 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 417-6972 [email protected]

has kids 8.5 y, 5.5 y, 2y as of 7/03, they are to let us know whether or not to take rockery out, prior to construction.

Vittone 10709 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y 365-8178

10712 1st Ave NW 5402 Baker Ave NW 98107 X Y 782-0426 [email protected] Jim talked to by phone and emailed materials to him on 6/30/02

10712 1st Ave NW 98177 X Y1' high Rockery to be removed by

Key: Keep track of who is who…keep a single point of contact throughout the project regardless of phase


Build Relationships

• Do what you say you will do.

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CommunicationsAn information vacuum creates a dis-information vortex

August 3, 2004

Seattle Public Utilities Progress Report and Schedule UpdatePaving on 107th St.

Crews will be paving 107th St between 4th and Phinney Avenues on Friday, August 6 between 7 AM and 5 PM. Inaddition to paving the street, crews will also be paving many asphalt driveway approaches. Vehicle access todriveways will be restricted during this work. Please make sure that your vehicle is moved prior to 7AM toavoid being blocked in by the asphalt work. The approaches to alleys will also be paved on Friday, August 6, andaccess will be restricted from and onto NW 107th at the alleys.

SCHEDULE UPDATE:PLANTING:. On Palatine Ave. N, SCC is planting groundcover (Kinnik Kinnik) Planting on 107th is scheduledto start in mid-September. Sod will be placed in August. Please do not move any of the field markers (flags)placed to denote plant locations. Wetland plantings in the bottoms of all swales will occur starting in October.Note to residents: Though the month of August would seem an unusual time to be planting, there are a number ofreasons that we plan to continue planting through the coming weeks. Most importantly because many of plantsalready purchased for the project are more vulnerable to heat and dry conditions if left in their containers duringwarm, dry weather conditions. Planting them now provides the buffer of soil to protect tender root systems and--with your help-- regular watering to ensure their continued growth until fall rains set in. Additionally, we knowit’s been a long time for some of you who have been patiently waiting for their swales and adjacent yards to be"green" again!

SWALE CONSTRUCTION: Completed!

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION: Continues on 107th and is expected to be completed by mid-August.

RAINGARDEN CONSTRUCTION: The raingardens have been completed and are awaiting planting.

During working hours, the contractor will close 107th Street to through traffic between Phinney to Greenwood andGreenwood to 4th Avenues. This will result in traffic delays and revisions that may impact the route to yourhome. Please use care when driving in the vicinity of 107th and Greenwood and be aware that this is aconstruction zone.

• As always, you may continue to park on the street overnight and on weekends, just remember to move yourcar before 7 AM on the weekdays when the contractor is working.

• 1st Ave. N.W., 2nd Ave. N.W., Palatine Ave. N. and Phinney Ave. N. have all been reopened to traffic andparking is permitted without general restrictions. However, since some work still remains, please watch forany special barricades that may appear to restrict parking in specific areas.

• Construction hours will continue to be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to as late as 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Jim Johnson, Project Managerat (206) 684-5829, or by email at [email protected]

We provide our customers with a reliable water supply and essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineeringservices that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure, and protect, conserve, and enhance theregion’s environmental resources.

September 30, 2003

Seattle Public Utilities Continues Construction of Natural Drainage System Construction Forecast for Last Week of September

PROJECT: Crews from Gary Merlino Construction Company, under contract to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), arecontinuing construction of the Broadview Green Grid, a natural drainage system project in the Piper’s CreekWatershed in north Seattle. The storm drainage system in the area bounded by 107th and 110th Streets and 4th andPhinney Avenues will be replaced with a natural drainage system that slows damaging water flows, reduces the levelof sediments and contaminants reaching the creek, and reduces flooding at the intersection of NW 107th and 3rd AveNW. Improvements to the street landscaping and pedestrian facilities will also be constructed.

SCHEDULE:• Placement of amended soil in the ponds and construction of rock walls in and along the ponds on the west-side

of 2nd Ave should be completed this week.• Excavation of the ponds and installation of pipes, and sediment catching structures will continue on the east-side

of 2nd Ave. NW this week. Following this work, the rock walls will be constructed and amended soils placed..Some initial work will begin on Palatine Ave. this week. This may include some utility work by Puget SoundEnergy (Gas) and Merlino’s tree trimming subcontractor. Other work that may occur will be installation of siltfences, other sediment retention devices, and orange plastic construction fence. Palatine residents will also startto see some stockpiled materials. Full construction is not expected before Monday, October 6th.

• Please remember, much of the work is sensitive to weather and soil conditions. All dates are subject to change atthe direction of Mother Nature. Please watch for these Construction Updates for the latest information.

DATES/TIMES: Construction hours will continue to be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 pm. There may bework on Saturdays, starting this weekend, to accommodate delays caused by weather. Construction work on2nd Ave. should be completed in November. The replanting and landscaping phase for 2nd Ave. will take place inwinter-spring 2003-2004.

IMPACTS:• During construction hours, crews will close 2nd Ave. NW and Palatine Ave. N, between 107th and 110th Streets to

through traffic (local traffic will be maintained, please exercise care). Where it is possible for you to do so,please use the alleys. If you have questions about accessing your block during construction hours, please contactthe project manager at the phone number or email address below.

• Neighborhood traffic will be restricted compared to normal. There may be traffic delays and revisions.• Heavy equipment and construction trailers will be present during the project. There will be restrictions to on-

street parking, especially during the day.• Excavation will create dust, mud, noise and vibration. There are no expected disruptions of utility service. Most

work will take place in the public right-of-way.If you have questions or need more information, please contact

Jim Johnson, Project Manager at (206) 684-5829,or by email at [email protected]

In addition to providing more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area with a reliable watersupply, Seattle Public Utilities provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services thatsafeguard public health, maintains the City’s infrastructure, and protects, conserves and enhances the region’senvironmental resources.

ConstructionUpdate


Visualizing the improvements

Pre-Construction


Construction•How do we getfrom here…

to here???



Warning:Big Holes Ahead


5

N a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s N a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s


Planting

Plant Interest Survey

Because it won’t be long before we’ll be into the holiday season…and thinking of other things…Please take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to read this short bit about the choices we’d like to offer as we develop theLandscape Architectural plan for your street frontage and return it in the enclosed self-addressed envelope by November 22nd.

Like snowflakes, we all are unique. This is particularly true when it comes to skill and interest in gardening …and plantpreferences. At the same time, some uniformity along a street front lends grace and unity to the neighborhood. We need yourinput to achieve the goal of a unified look, designed so that each property frontage most closely matches the needs and interestsof each owner. This survey is the first step in the teamwork effort to achieve the goal. Circle the number next to the responsethat best applies to you …and feel free to add detail in “Comment” spaces provided!

1. I WAS BORN TO GARDEN…and like to do it my way! Please count me in to help plant and leave me space toplant things that I choose on my own.

2. I enjoy gardening…its good exercise, a great stress reliever, and an ideal way to get to know my neighbors. I aminterested enough to help choose plants from a list of offerings… but won’t need space to add plants of my own.

3. Gardening is not something I can make much time for. Please don’t count on me to help plant and I prefer todepend on Shane to make selections that minimize the amount of time I will need to spend on upkeep.

The Previous SEA Streets Project (2nd Avenue NW between NW 117th and NW 120th) installed sod along the street edge not onlyto provide a unified appearance along the street …but also to help ensure a consistent level of maintenance by the many propertyowners along the street front. When folks come out to mow, they pull a weed or two and notice when plants need watering!

1. I like the idea of sod and have the ability to regularly mow along the street edge.

2. I would prefer to be responsible to maintain (weed and water) a groundcover planting as an alternative to sodalong the street edge.

The reverse side of this survey includes a list of upland plant species that are planned for this project. Information on these plantscan be found on the Oregon State website: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/ or easily found in the Sunset Western GardenBook. They are also planted at the Sea Streets site on 2nd Avenue. Please circle the number next to the statement that bestapplies to you.

1. I have circled the plants I would like for my street front.

2. I have circled the plants I prefer and would like the chance to talk about them. Please call me at the following

number (s) ___________________________________________________. The time that I am most easily reached is

between _______a.m. / p.m. _______a.m./p.m.

3. I prefer to have plant selections made by the Landscape Architect for my street frontage.

City of Seattle Greg Nickels, Mayor

Last Name House No. Street Plant Interest Street Edging Deciduous Tree

Pla

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Pro

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w/S

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Sen

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icks

Mai

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Ret

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reen

Pic

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aile

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Gra

ss

Gro

undc

over

Flam

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sh

Kat

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Tre

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Nor

weg

ian

Suns

et M

aple

Pac

ific

Suns

et M

aple

"Edd

ie's

Whi

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onde

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ogw

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Gal

axy

Mag

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Aut

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Brill

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Pfautz 10556 1st Ave NW N N X X X 2 1

Williams 10559 1st Ave NW N N X X X 2 2 2 2Townsend 10535 Evanston Ave N

Boswell-Williams 10702 1st Ave NW Y Y X X 1

Myers 10703 1st Ave NW Y N X X 1 2 4

Gardner 10708 1st Ave NW N Y X X 1Vittone 10709 1st Ave NW Y N X X 1 1

10712 1st Ave NW 5402 Baker Ave NW N N X X 110712 1st Ave NW

Berlin 10714 1st Ave NW N Y X X 1 1 1

Webb 10715 1st Ave NW Y N X X X X 1 1 1

Allison 10719 1st Ave NW Y N X X X 1 1

Stortini 10726 1st Ave NW N N X X X X 1 1 1

Hughes 10727 1st Ave NW N Y X

July 14, 2003Wallis Pfautz10556 1st Ave NWSeattle, WA 98177

Dear Wallis:

Re: Green Grid Green Picks

As we continue on schedule with plans to begin construction of the Broadview Green Grid, the time has come to confirmthe landscape-related features of this natural drainage system project. Depending on the schedule proposed by ourcontractor, your street could be planted as early as December of this year and we want to be prepared with accurateinformation for your property frontage. Please take a moment to fill out the enclosed questionnaire and return it tous by July 31st, 2003 to confirm your approval of tree and shrub selections, your choice (between grass or groundcover)along the street edge, your choice (between pavers and poured concrete) for access walkway, and your desire for spaceto do some planting of your own in the right-of-way. If we do not hear back, we will assume your approval of our list!

Plant SelectionsProject Landscape Architect Shane Dewald took information from meetings and the “Plant Interest Survey” provided byyou and your neighbors to draft a neighborhood menu of tree, shrub, groundcover, perennial, and wetland plantselections. This menu, developed to best meet a wide range of gardening interests, combines native and non-nativeplants tolerant of variable growing conditions. We are sending you this letter and questionnaire to let you know “what’s onthe menu” project-wide and to confirm “your special order” for tree and shrub species.

“What’s on the Menu” project-wide:Groundcover Kinnik Kinnik (a resounding favorite based on survey and meeting feedback) will be used project-wide to

provide a consistent native evergreen understory and/or green roadway edge.Perennials A mix including Swordfern, Daylilies, Iris, Cranesbill and Lupine proposed project-wide will blend the& Ferns native wetland plantings in the ponds with upland native and ornamental shrub species. Heuchera,

Sunroses, Guara and Epimedium are additional species proposed to add texture, color, and seasonalvariety.

Wetland Native Sedge and Rush species combined with Arrowhead and Piggy-Back-Plant are proposed for allPlants ponds assuming nature will be the designer, favoring some species over others.

Please Note: Final quantities of groundcover, perennials, ferns and wetland plants will be determined during construction.Perennial selections will be unique for each property assuming one to two dozen plants of various species chosen to bestmatch growing conditions and/or individual tastes!

Your “Special Order”Tree and shrub species have been identified to reflect your Plant Interest Survey and/or meeting input, or have beenotherwise selected by Shane based on conditions associated with your property. We are asking for your confirmation ofthese selections on the attached questionnaire. We have included the shrub & tree selections on the back of this letter, soyou have a list to keep. Also attached is a brief fact sheet (in gold) of all the plants that will be used on the project so youcan check your selections against the fact sheet as a quick reference.

As always, if you have any questions about this project, don’t hesitate to contact Jim by phone at (206) 684-5829 or byemail at [email protected]. If you have project specific landscaping questions, please contact Shane by phoneat (206) 684-5041 or email at [email protected].

Thank you!

neighbors pick their own plants


Commissioning


Developing Operational Guides for Homeowners

Go to www.seattle.gov/util/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/Natural_Drainage_Systems/Natural_Drainage_Overview/index.asp

look under “Homeowners Manual”


How do I...

For some people this will be the first time they have done this!

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N a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s N a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m sCOMPONENT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

UPLAND LANDSCAPEMAINTENANCE

h:orsic\Thornton\tc Site 3 Comp Maint Procedures\rev12/13/00, 1/22/01, 5/15, 6/5, 6/11, 6/12, 7/10, 7/11, 7/24, 7/25, 7/30, 7/31

Page 1 of 1

Description: Native plants that were planted as part of natural drainage system according to a landscape plan. Sitehas high public access.

Purpose: To provide water quality treatment, shade detained water and cool water temperatures, to providefood and shelter for wildlife and to aid in erosion control.

MaintenanceFrequency

Urban Trash – WeeklyOrganic Debris -Invasive Removal –Landscape Plantings –Large Tree Maintenance -

Landscaped plants in detention swale

Category Conditions Indicator Maintenance ProcedureUrbanTrash

Dumped or foundin landscapedareas

Call Supervisor for instructions if it appears to be illegally dumped trash

Remove urban trash from site

Minimize erosion of the bank and creek soil while removing trash

OrganicDebris

Pieces of debriscausing damage todesignated plants

Remove only in case of damage, otherwise ok to leave in place

Minimize erosion of the bank while removing debris

Avoid use of machinery or vehicles in the creek

Developing maintenance procedures for your Operations Crews


The street looks nice and I hear nice comments from all who come to visit. I am noticing more of a sense of community with the children riding their bikes and families walking.-C. Kilbourn

The reconfiguration of Phinney Avenue has gone along wonderfully: the new street, sidewalk and swales look beautiful. The workers involved have been friendly and courteous, and there has been little disruption to my life.-M. Stevenson

We live at 10738 - 2nd Ave NW and our street is undergoing SEA construction. The street is looking great! The curve definition of the entire street is quite impressive...sidewalks are in as well as the private one to our walkway and they look nice. The swales look enormous right now but with plantings they should be more obscure. And they did drain effectively during our rainstorms a couple weeks ago.-Mark & Jan Fisher

Thank you for asking for my input. The street and landscaping continueto look fantastic.-Susan Foster

Community Reaction


•Increased Public Education / Outreach to achieve buy-in, since they maintain.

•Risk of public abandonment of maintenance.

•Intra/Inter-Departmental Acceptance of non-standard infrastructure.

•Projects cost less, but the significant amount spent on “soft” vs. “hard” infrastructure requires a shift in thinking by planners, engineers and managers.

What are some other thoughts on implementing NDS?


Thank you!

Jim JohnsonProject ManagerEngineering Services

Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 4900PO Box 34018Seattle, Washington 98124-4018

Office: +1 206 684 5829 v/mFax: +1 206 233 1532 faxEmail: [email protected]

for more information go towww.seattle.gov

and search keywords raincatchers, natural systems and rainbarrels


Bringing it Home

Applying NDS strategies to your site

7


Above and Left, PorousConcrete Roadway Placement at High Point

Above, Porous Concrete Sidewalkadjacent standard concrete sidewalkat High Point

Limit impervious area IN a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

How much area needs to be paved?What with?

Above Gravel paved parking areaat High Point.

Right and top right, close up of gravel surface and cell mat which retains gravel in place

Limit Impervious Area II


California Strips, Broadview Green Grid

Limit Impervious Area III


Managing the Flow with Low Tech:• Splash blocks

Requires advance planning with attention to proper grades and proper management of site soils and/or amendments.

• Pop-up emitters

Disconnection I


Managing the flow with Mid Tech:• Rain Gardens

Disconnection IIN a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

Managing the flow with Mid Tech:• Compost Amended Yard

•Above: Lawn infiltration facility, High Point

•Right Top: Planted area infiltration facility under construction, Fremont RainCatchers

•Right: Completed Planted area infiltration facility

Disconnection II cont’d

8


Managing the flow with High Tech:Residential Rainwater Cisterns

Sized for detention of roof or other impervious area

Drip valve empties tank at measured rate inwinter. Valves closed in summer and collectedwater used for yard / garden irrigation.

Disconnection IIIDisconnection IIIN a t u r a l D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s

Follow Applicable Site Strategies

• Reduce pavement• Create low lying, planted

areas with amended soils• Grade for sheet flow• Create controlled relief

points • Keep Aesthetics in mind• Plan from Landscaping

backwards

Right: SEA Street at Broadview Green Grid, 1st Ave NW, 2006


Thank you!

Jim JohnsonProject ManagerEngineering Services

Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 4900PO Box 34018Seattle, Washington 98124-4018

Office: +1 206 684 5829 v/mFax: +1 206 233 1532 faxEmail: [email protected]

for more information go towww.seattle.gov

and search keywords raincatchers, natural systems and rainbarrels

building natural drainage systems with neighborhood street

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