319 Grant - Planting the Bioretention and Raingarden Cells

Work to complete the Bioretention and Raingarden started on a sunny, 78 degree morning.  By lunch time, the temperature was dropping quickly as a cold front blew through.  The folks volunteering to plant hung in there to get more than 2000 plants in the ground as the temperature dropped more than 25 degrees and it started to rain. Thanks to the hearty Public Works volunteers below who helped out.

The final phase of construction for the bioretention and raingarden is the most critical:  installation of native plants.  Native plants are better able to withstand the brutal extremes of Missouri weather.  Native plants also tend to root more deeply insuring that stormwater runoff has more avenues to infiltrate into the ground below.  Native plants will use stormwater runoff and some of the nutrients that come with it, reducing the negative impacts of urban stormwater runoff from our downstream waterways.  Keeping excess runoff, sediment, nutrients and other pollutants in the bioretention and raingarden cells keeps our streams healthier and cleaner.

Keep posted for our time lapse video and more information on the bioretention construction.

Allison Anderson and Curtis Wren planting in the raingarden.

Cody Melloway plants Prairie Cordgrass in the Bioretention

Brady Weter plants in the Bioretention

Richard Grant and Mike Heimos plant Tussock Sedge in Bioretention.

From Boone Co. Resource Mgmt., Catherine Beatty and Nicki Fuemmeler plant Swtich grass on the berm.

Nick McSwain plants False Blue Indigo shrubs in the Bioretention.

Jim Thaxter plants Little Bluestem on the slopes adjacent to the Bioretention.

Tom Wellman plants Little Bluestem near the inlet flume to the Bioretention.

Raingarden fully planted.

Bioretention fully planted as a soft rain begins to fall.

Bioretention area BEFORE the improvements.

US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (G11-NPS-12).


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319 Grant - Blooming Bioswale!

In January, this bioswale was seeded  with a native wildflower seed mix from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery.  Unlike fescue, it takes some time for wildflowers to start growing.  Finally in early June we saw some positive signs, the coreopsis began to bloom.  Then a few weeks later, lots of natives started really growing.  The bioswale has gone from sparse to filling out!

Bioswale in early June

Bioswale in mid-June

A bit of weeding was necessary to stymie the Johnson grass and ragweed from taking over.  A variety of natives are emerging including  Partridge Pea (Cassia Fasciculata) and Coreopsis.

Partridge Pea

Tickseed coreopsis blooming with some other natives emerging.

In addition to being beautiful, native plants root more deeply which keeps soil in place and encourages stormwater runoff to infiltrate deeper into the soil.  Plants filter sediment and pollutants from stormwater runoff before going to our creeks.  Even in the extreme heat of this summer, native plants are more suited to survive. 

Native plants require some initial maintenance, but in the long term, this swale will require mowing only once per year in the fall.  This bioswale will probably be over seeded with more natives this fall to force out weeds and fescue.

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319 Grant - Planting the Step Pools

Over 30 people from three City Departments and the County planted 700+ plants in two hours!  On Wednesday, May 23, folks from Parks & Recreation, Water & Light,  Public Works and Boone County Resource Management came together to install plants for the step pools.  With seasonable temperatures and bright sunshine, everyone was eager to begin.

The planting plan was designed by Parks & Recreation Horticulturalist Jen Sieradzki (pictured at left with Phillip Vanhove and Mike Shipley).  The plan includes a Eastern Redbud and River Birch trees, Fragrant Sumac and Button Bush shrubs and lots of Prairie Cord grass and Switch grass, River Oats, Tussock Sedge, and Blue Flag Iris.  Native plants are used because they are acclimated to Missouri weather extremes and soils.  Native plants also tend to root deeply providing protection from erosion and encouraging infiltration of surface water.  By absorbing water, native plants reduce stormwater runoff and its associated pollutants.  Wet-loving plants are planted within the channel, and other plants, shrubs and trees are planted along the channel banks.

Creating pockets for plants to thrive.
Ryan Woods, Tom Wellman, Kyle McReynolds, Allison Anderson and Terry Freeman

Tom Wellman and Michelle Ortbals transferring topsoil to planting pockets.

Blue Flag Iris and Tussock Sedge were planted inside the step pools where they will be wet more frequently.  With such rocky structure, it was necessary to create pockets where soil could be placed and retained in order to plant a plant.

In the bottom of the channel planting bags were used to establish the plants.  Burlap bags are filled with soil and a plant, then placed in wet spots.  The filled bags will stay in place, even during heavy stormwater runoff events.  Eventually, sediment will naturally fill in around the plantings and provide opportunities for plants to multiply.

Chris Easley and Jay Hasheider finding a niche to plant some plants.

Rusty Shay and Tim Pohlman planting River Oats along the edge of the channel.

Georganne Bowman and Ed Bulliner Preparing to plant Button Bush.

Shipley planting a plant!

Kyle George watering newly planted vegetation.

Although established native vegetation does not require irrigation, the establishment phase of any planting requires lots of water.  Installing plants prior to a hot and dry long weekend required lots of watering before and after the weekend.  We're looking forward to some rain in the forecast!

Most of the planting crew.

Thanks to all who helped, we could not have done it without you!

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