<< Back to Innovative Stormwater Retrofits main page
The Hamlin Street NE project site was selected through the “Hickey Run Hero Challenge” as the block in the Hickey Run Watershed with the highest participation in DOEE’s RiverSmart Homes program and was also identified as a priority LID retrofit area by DOEE in its Hickey Run Watershed Implementation Plan due to its high potential for treating stormwater.
The Hamlin Street NE project site is located at the southeastern side of the 2000 block of Hamlin Street, NE near the intersection with Mills Avenue, NE. It receives drainage from approximately 3.1 acres of land with approximately 1.3 acres of it from impervious cover. This site is located in the Hickey Run watershed, a subwatershed of the Anacostia River which has a drainage area of approximately 1,100 acres.
Stormwater runs off from the west and north side of the project area towards the southeast. Two steep alleys and driveways convey stormwater from the north onto Hamlin Street where it is captured by two catch basins, one located mid-length of the street, the other located at the easternmost end of Hamlin Street. Hamlin is a residential street with 15 homes adjacent to it. Eight of these properties have had stormwater management practices installed through the RiverSmart Homes program; however, the street itself has no stormwater controls because it was developed prior to the promulgation of the District’s stormwater regulations.
The site is located in the Hickey Run watershed, a subwatershed of the Anacostia River which has a drainage area of approximately 1,100 acres. This project involves the use of green stormwater infrastructure to reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff and improve the water quality prior to it reaching Hickey Run.
The green stormwater infrastructure utilized in this project is called a Bioretention system. A Bioretention is a vegetated stormwater management system that mimic 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
- 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.
How is a Bioretention Maintained?
Routine maintenance is necessary for all stormwater management practices. Routine maintenance for a bioretention includes cleaning out the inlets to ensure that stormwater can get into it, making sure overflows are free and clear of debris so that they can function during larger storm events, sustaining the vegetative cover by weeding/mowing/pruning as needed.
The Hamlin St., NE Retrofit project reduces stormwater runoff and pollution, prevents erosion, restores natural hydrology, and increases natural habitat in the Hickey Run watershed and improves the water quality in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers for the benefit of District residents, visitors, wildlife and the environment.
This project involves the use of green infrastructure stormwater management to reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff and improve the water quality prior to it reaching Hickey Run.
Project Status: This project is now complete.
Final Designs:
- Meeting Presentation
- Meeting Recording
- Final Design Report
- Final Design Plans
- Flyer for public meeting
Project Documents:
