Stormwater Conveyance

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Green Infrastructure

A regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) is a practice that provides treatment, infiltration, and conveyance to stormwater runoff through a combination of pools, riffles (cobble rocks or boulders), native vegetation, an underlying sand layer, and wood chips. 
 

Maintaining a Stormwater Conveyance

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Routine maintenance should be performed on RSC. During the first year that the bioretention area is built, maintenance may be required at a higher frequency to ensure proper functionality.

After a large rainstorm, keep drainage paths, both to and from the area, clean so that water can properly infiltrate into the ground.

Spot fertilizer may be required during the first two months to establish vegetation. After that period, fertilizers should not be used.

Pesticides should be used sparingly and only if necessary.

Stormwater Conveyance Issues

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Here are some of the common problems to be aware of when maintaining a vegetated filter strip. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Establishing vegetation within the RSC area
  • Ant mounds
  • Pruning and weeding to maintain appearance
  • Deterioration of riprap
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Stormwater Conveyance

Routine Maintenance Schedule
Schedule
Activity

Upon establishment
  • Inspect two times after establishment for first 6 months after storms that exceed ½ inch of rain.
  • Repair any erosion, rills, or gullies that may form in the practice
  • Conduct any needed repairs or stabilization
  • Repair areas with bare or dead grass in the contributing drainage area or around the RSC.
  • Watering and spot fertilization may be necessary during first 2 months to establish vegetation.
  • Remove and replace dead, damaged, or diseased plants

Four times per year
  • Prune and weed vegetation
  • Remove trash, sediment, and debris
Annually
  • Make sure weirs, riffles, and pools are in structurally good condition and that the practice has stable water levels.
  • Prune trees and shrubs (when they are dormant).
  • Remove any invasive species.
  • Remove any sediment accumulation in pretreatment area and inflow points.
Once every 2 to 3 years
  • Remove accumulated sediment in pools.
  • Repair damage to weirs, riffles, pools, or other structural components