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Promoting Low Impact Development
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Low Impact Development (LID) is an effective method of controlling storm water pollution and managing the amount of storm water runoff. By promoting LID in the Goose Creek Watershed in Mint Hill, Storm Water Services hopes to reduce the amount of non-point source pollutants coming from land development around Goose Creek and its tributaries: Duck and Stevens Creeks.
Completed: October 2005
Contractor: TK Browne Construction
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Building a rain garden in Mint Hill Park
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Objectives:
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Improve water quality in Goose Creek by reducing the discharge of non-point source pollutants
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Protect the habitat of the Carolina Heelsplitter mussel
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Install 13 LID structures including ten rain gardens, one enhanced grass swale (with infiltration trench), and one level spreader
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Conduct workshops within the watershed to promote LID for the protection of water quality
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Conduct monthly monitoring of three rain gardens to determine pollutant removal efficiency
Cost: $258,860
Sources of Funding:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services: $103,144
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources: $154,716
Goose Creek has been identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a habitat for a federally-endangered species of fresh water mussel called the Carolina Heelsplitter. The N.C. Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List identifies Goose Creek as being impaired due to fecal coliform bacteria and sediment caused by non-point source pollutants.
The project included retrofitting 13 LID structures into existing development in the Goose Creek Watershed to reduce the amount of pollution in storm water runoff and to help educate developers and builders. Nine rain gardens, an enhanced grassed swale, a level spreader, and a reforested area were installed at Mint Hill Park on Fairview Road and one rain garden was installed at Bain Elementary School.
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Rain gardens filter storm water runoff through a sand/soil mixture before discharging cleaner water through a drain underneath. Plants in the rain garden help to remove pollutants such as excess phosphorus and nitrogen through their roots. Grass swales help to slow down storm water runoff and remove sediment and other pollutants. The level spreader collects storm water runoff and releases it evenly across the surface of the land. This allows the water to soak into the soil, reducing erosion and the risk of flooding.
Project Manager:
Richard Farmer
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
704-336-5152
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Completed rain garden in Mint Hill Park
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