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 Update - Ashley Street Bioswale Done!

 

Construction of the bioswale on Ashely Street is complete, just in time for a rainfall event!

What’s the difference between the before and after?  It’s all in what you DON’T see.  Much of the existing materials were excavated and replaced with an engineered soil mix.  The soil mix will filter the stormwater runoff from smaller storms, removing sediment, oil, grease, and excess nutrients.  Most of our rainfall events are smaller storms, therefore most of the runoff will be treated.  Runoff from large events will flow into the area inlet.  Native grass seed was sown in the bioswale.  Native grasses are more suited to the Missouri weather extremes.  Additionally, native grasses tend to be more deeply rooted encouraging infiltration and filtration of the runoff. 

BEFORE - Bioswale on Ashley Street prior to reconstruction

Excavation of existing material and reconstruction of area inlet.

Public Works Stormwater Crew placing rock in flowline on top of engineered soil mix.

AFTER - Bioswale on Ashley upon completion.

 We'll post more photos when the grass comes in!

 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).