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>ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
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| Pre-project storm runoff |
Grading upper diversion |
Upper diversion completed |
Fairmount Park implements large projects to protect and restore natural areas throughout the park system. (See Environmnetal Restoration main page for types of projects.) The Courtesy Stables Runoff Treatment described below is one example of a project that was done recently to benefit a natural area - the Wissahahickon Creek and a tributary.
Monastery Stables Runoff Control Project
Until fall 2005, Monastery Stables was a significant source of pollutants to the Wissahickon Creek. During storms, rain that fell on the field, barn and driveway flowed through the paddocks where horses are kept during the day. The stormwater carried manure residue out of the paddocks and flowed down the trail and the steep slope next to the trail. The heavy flows eroded gullies in the trail and hillside, adding sediment to its existing pollutant load. The nitrogen, phosphorous, bacteria and other pollutants from the manure and the sediment from the slopes all dumped into the creek at the bridge downslope.
In order to prevent pollution of the Wissahickon Creek, stop erosion of the trail and hillside and improve conditions for horses the following work was done on the site:
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A grassed waterway and four diversions (swales that run into the grassed waterway) were excavated to capture stormwater before it flowed through the horse paddocks. The waterway and diversions prevent pollutant runoff from the paddocks and keep the paddock surfaces drier for horses.
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A basin was constructed to collect all the stormwater captured by the waterway and diversions. The basin has an overflow pipe that conveys water to a holding tank. When the holding tank fills, it releases 240 gallons of water to the manifold pipe in the woods downslope. Water "weeps" from the manifold pipe onto the ground through a row of small holes in the pipe. This low-volume release allows the water to percolate into the ground, helping to recharge the groundwater. The site no longer has to sustain the high-volume erosive flows of the past.
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The trail leading to the creek was restored and five "rolling dips" were excavated in the trail to shed stormwater.
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Stone crossing areas were constructed across diversions to accommodate horse, foot and vehicle traffic.
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An additional paddock was added.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act, administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Additional funding was provided by the Fairmount Park Commission. The Natural Resources Conservation Service created project plans and the Philadelphia Water Department conducted pre- and post-project water quality analyses. The Boarders & Stewards of Monastery was an additional project partner.
As additional projects are completed, they will be added to this page.
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