Background The Ballston Pond was originally designed and constructed as a stormwater facility to collect and slow runoff from Interstate 66 when the highway was built, but, over the years, the pond has filled up with sediments deposited by stormwater runoff. Retrofitting the Ballston Wetland Park was a high-priority project in Arlington County’s Stormwater Management Program, and they were able to seek community input through a stakeholder advisory committee as well as with several community meetings to provide input to the design process. Additionally, retrofitting the pond to provide higher quality water treatment helps the county comply with the municipal separate storm sewer system permit and contributes to restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The County sought community input through a stakeholder advisory committee and with several community meetings to provide input to the design process, guiding the eventual selection of the preferred wetland design. Impact Cleared of sediment and now capable of taking excess rainwater from 450 surrounding acres, the retrofitted wetland system improves stormwater flow and filtering–plus capturing trash–while also serving as a wildlife refuge and pastoral commons within the Ballston “urban village” setting. The park expands Arlington County’s ability to meet Chesapeake Bay Watershed regulations while cultivating native plants and providing new boardwalk areas and fresh interpretive designs. Community input from the engagement process helped to guide the selection of new features at the wetland park such as trash collection devices, an expanded viewing platform, interpretive signs, and wildlife habitat.
Technical Aspects • Stormwater pollutant removal in a constructed stormwater wetland • Sediment collection in the pond forebay–allowing for easier maintenance and removal • Trash and debris collection in StormRax trash rack and WATERGOAT floating trash barrier trash collection devices
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December 2023
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