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The goal of this project is to improve water quality in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers for the benefit of District residents, visitors, wildlife, and the environment, while providing high quality outdoor recreational space and facilities for children and adults to learn, play, and connect with nature. A further goal of the project is to reduce the stormwater pollutants that enter the local waters of the District (i.e. rivers, streams, estuaries,) as required under the applicable EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the District’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
The Dakota Park site is a 2.97-acre site located in northeast D.C (South Dakota Ave., Adams, and 33rd Streets, NE). The site has about 0.8 acres of impervious cover which comes from pathways, tennis courts, basketball courts, and adjacent DDOT public right-of-way (PROW). Currently, one storm drain inlet conveys stormwater water from the steps another conveys stormwater from the tennis and basketball courts. No other storm drain inlets are on-site and no stormwater BMPs are present, besides tree planting.
Possible solutions may include evaluating the contributing drainage area(s) for potential stormwater solutions at their sources. Bioretention systems are a potential option to treat drainage coming from the tennis courts, basketball courts, and adjacent alley. A Bioretention is a vegetated stormwater management system that mimics the natural environment to reduce stormwater volumes and pollutants for the purpose of restoring our streams and rivers.
A bioretention provides the following benefits:
- Reduces stormwater runoff
- Slows stormwater flows
- Removes stormwater pollutants
- Provides habitat for birds, bees, and other pollinators
- Increases biodiversity
- Improves air quality
- Reduces air temperatures
By capturing stormwater and by treating the pollutants stormwater carries, a bioretention helps protect and restore our streams and rivers.
Project Status: Beginning design phase
- Public Meeting - April 4 - View Meeting Flyer
- DPR III Stormwater Retrofit Project - Public Meeting Recording (4.4.24)
- DPR III Stormwater Retrofit Project - Public Meeting Recording (10.26.2023)
More Information: Check back here often for updates as the project progresses. For questions or more information about this project, please contact: [email protected].
