Ballston Pond Revitalization through Enhanced Design and Construction Planning
During the construction of I-66 through Arlington County in 1980, a detention pond was constructed to control runoff from I-66. Over time, the pond became filled with trash and silt, and overgrown with invasive plant life. Arlington County desired to revitalize the pond to provide stormwater quality and quantity benefits and deliver TMDL credits, but also environmental and community benefits. RK&K worked with Arlington County to capture public thoughts and suggested enhancements to the facility by leading several public meetings and site visits. RK&K presented the County and public with renderings of design options for the pond retrofit. Details included an extensive planting plan, litter control, and education/interpretive opportunities. Sustainability practices included harvesting on-site trees that were necessary to be removed and reusing them as turtle basking logs. Mindful of constructability in an urban setting, the plans utilized flow diversions, thoughtful construction access points, and a step-by-step plan for removing/staging the sediment buildup. Given the large drainage area, special care was given to containing and stabilizing construction disturbance to protect the downstream system. The result was a detailed sequence of construction that allowed the contractor access while maintaining continuous water flow through the site. Ballston Pond is a project which demonstrates how, with careful planning, a neglected stormwater facility can be revitalized and rid of significant sediment buildup and invasive vegetation. This upgraded wetland system not only enhances stormwater flow in Arlington, but also traps litter while functioning as a haven for wildlife and a natural retreat in the urban area of Ballston.
Author Bio
Erin Cox is a professional engineer with RK&K's Water Resources Group. She is currently located out of their Baltimore, MD office but has worked in the Fairfax, VA location for several years. Erin has 9 years of experience working primarily with VA State, County, and local agencies. Her experience includes storm drainage, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control design, as well as managing and performing stormwater facility inspections, budgeting, and cost estimation. Helen Chen is a professional engineer in the Water Resources Department at RK&K’s Fairfax, VA location. Her 5 years of experience includes design and cost estimating of storm sewer conveyance, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control for site and roadway projects in Virginia. In the field, she has also inspected BMPs and assessed flooding reports in urban/suburban areas.
