Before

In partnership with the Harness Creek Overlook community, Arundel Rivers retrofitted (updated and improved) an aged stormwater pond in the community in order to improve water quality downstream and abate further erosion. Built in the 1990s, the pond was not up to current standards and had significant sediment build up, which occurred during the original development of the community. As a result, stormwater treatment volume was reduced and a lack of native plants provided little habitat value for local wildlife.

The pond area was transformed into a habitat-rich wet pond system planted densely with native vegetation. The perimeter of the pond features a wetland bench system that exponentially increased the marsh habitat value of the community, making it a great spot for frogs, birds, turtles, and pollinators.

Immediately downstream of the pond was an eroding stream, regularly sending sediment loads into Harness Creek. A Step Pool Stormwater Conveyance (SPSC) was installed to abate erosion in that channel, providing further water quality treatment. The riffle weir rock structures of the SPSC work to slow the erosive flows while the pools between them offer new habitat in the final stretch of the project.

Impervious and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Credits

Impervious Surface Reductions (ISR): 4.2 acres

Total Nitrogen (TN): 351.7 lbs

Total Phosphorus (TP): 70.7 lbs

Total Suspended Solids (TSS): 18,560 lbs

After