Ballston Wetland Park Arlington County Department of Environmental Services
Project Location: Arlington, Virginia Project Start Date: 1 December 2021 Project Completion: 18 August 2023
Project Team: Arlington County, RKK Civil Engineering (design), Environmental Quality Resources (construction), Wetland Studies and Solutions (construction management), StormRax (trash control device), WATERGOAT (floating trash control barrier), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (State and Local Assistance Fund grant) Project Summary: The Ballston Pond was originally designed and con- structed 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 Stormwa- ter Management Program, and they were able to seek community input through a stakeholder advisory committee as well as with several com- munity 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. Impact: Cleared of sediment and now capable of taking excess rainwa- ter 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 fea- tures at the wetland park such as trash collection devices, an expanded viewing platform, interpretive signs, and wildlife habitat.
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csengineermag.com YEA 2023
YEA 2022 csengineermag.com
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