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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).
Benning Stoddert Recreation Center is in the Anacostia River watershed along East Capitol Street Southeast at 100 Stoddert Place, SE. The project area is 7.5 acres with a little over nearly 2 acres of impervious area from tennis and basketball courts and pathways. Older bioretention facilities exist on the southern-most side of the property and near the Recreation center as part of a 2016 renovation. However, runoff from the adjacent property is depositing large amounts of sediment on the southern-most basketball court. Several opportunities exist for additional restoration projects on the southern and western sides of the park and adjacent to the roadway.
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 roadway, tennis courts, basketball courts, and adjacent properties. 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
More Information: Check back here often for updates as the project progresses. For questions or more information about this project, please contact: [email protected]
DPR III Stormwater Retrofit Project: Public Meeting Recording - 4/10/24
