Our Bioswale

The preserve’s s-shaped, multi-tiered bioswale was designed in 2012 to prevent stormwater runoff from a 2.5 acre parking lot (Lot 13) from discharging uncontrolled directly to an existing stream, wetland, and pond complex system at the headwaters of Whiskey Creek, a large, highly urbanized tributary to Plaster Creek. The stormwater that discharges from this parking lot carries sediment and pollutants from the parking lot and causes erosion.

The bioswale is 25 feet wide, 420 feet long, and 1 to 2 feet deep, providing a treatment volume of 21,000 ft3 . To accommodate stormwater flows larger than the treatment volume, a reinforced spillway was constructed at the end of the bioswale. In addition, a low flow discharge slowly dissipates bio swale water through a perforated riser and outlet pipe to ensure that the bioswale adequately empties after a rain event so that it is ready for the next rain event. The Whiskey Creek Bioswale project was funded in part through Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Nonpoint Source program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The bioswale on the Preserve is not heavily used by the general public and appears to bein a relatively healthy state with no obvious signs of human impact outside of light student research activity, the minimal introduction of non-native plants, and the accumulatiom of trash. It used to "absorb" nutrient additions and contamination from surface (parking lot) run-off. Forbs were introduced by Plaster Creek Stewards in 2017.

Maintain bioswale functionality (maintain intact hydrology, protect and enhance water quality in Whiskey Creek, Plaster Creek, etc.)

Preserve site hydrology

Maintain and enhance biodiversity that is primarily native

The bioswale will specifically be managed to encourage key plant function groups