Priority Site Concept Designs

The proposed project will significantly increase flood storage capacity in the pond to protect shoreline and downstream areas, and restore the adjacent wetlands to improve water quality and habitat. The project was selected for its flood mitigation impacts, local community support, benefit to environmental justice populations, and ecological benefits.

Improve Pond Outlet: Converting the passive outlet to an active control device will allow the City of Waltham to lower the pond level in advance of a storm making room to safely hold flood waters until it’s safe to release water downstream, protecting properties from flooding, and improving fish + wildlife passage.

Wetland Restoration: Adjacent wetlands have been degraded by development and fill. Building on an effort that removed 32,000 sq. ft. of fill in 2020, sediment removal will restore the health and storage capacity of the wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, and boost biodiversity.

Build Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI): Waltham residents have identified numerous opportunities for green stormwater infrastructure and bank restoration around the pond to improve water quality, cool surrounding areas, provide habitat, and beautify the neighborhood.

The project will incorporate green stormwater infrastructure to increase infiltration and protect surrounding buildings and roadways. It will also help improve the water quality of the stream and wetlands behind the site. The project was selected for its potential for flood mitigation impacts, local community support, and water quality benefits.

Porous Pavement: Permeable or porous pavement in the parking lot could increase infiltration of stormwater runoff, slowly returning water to the ground and reducing flooding around the supermarket.

Drainage Improvements: Improving drainage in the supermarket's back parking lot could preserve parking, which is a priority for the only supermarket in town. Improvements could include porous pavement or bioretention near the lot's edges.

The proposed project will significantly increase flood storage capacity at Longfellow Pond to protect the surrounding areas. It will also restore the adjacent wetlands to improve water quality and habitat. The project was selected for its potential for flood mitigation impacts, local community support, potential benefit to environmental justice populations, and water quality benefits.

Real-time Flood Storage: Modify the pond's outlet structure, potentially in coordination with upstream outlet structures, to safely store water when possible and release it slowly downstream when needed. allowing for the maximum use of remaining natural floodplain areas. 

Culvert Improvements: Modify and upgrade culverts on Route 9 and Oakland St. to improve stream connectivity and capacity for increased flow, protect properties from flooding, and improve fish and wildlife passage.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Implement green stormwater infrastructures like bioswales or rain gardens along Oakland St. and at the parking lot to store additional runoff, improve water quality, cool surrounding areas, and serve as an educational opportunity.

The proposed project will significantly enhance stream conditions for Alder Brook to reduce flooding and improve ecological health. It will add green stormwater infrastructure to protect critical facilities and roadways and restore upstream wetlands to improve water quality and habitat. This project was selected for its flood mitigation impact potential, local community support, and water quality improvements.

Stream Restoration: Restoring Alder Brook will improve water quality, improve and reconnect habitats, build climate resilience by reducing flooding impacts, and create new recreational opportunities.

Wetland Restoration: Woodlands upstream of Alder Brook, below the DeFazio Tot Lot, are currently degraded and overgrown with invasives. This area would be restored into a constructed wetland to renaturalize the space and store floodwaters. Additionally, this will build habitat and biodiversity, reduce stormwater pollution, and improve water quality for Alder Brook and the Charles River.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Implementing rain gardens and bioswales along Dedham Ave. and in the DeFazio Park parking lot will store additional floodwaters, further improve water quality, cool surrounding areas, and serve as an educational opportunity.

The proposed project will significantly improve wetland healthand add green stormwater infrastructure and trees to improve water quality and habitat, a new path will improve access and mobility in the park. The project was selected for its potential flood mitigation impacts, local community support, potential benefit to environmental justice populations, and water quality benefits.

Wetland Restoration: Restore the health of wetlands along the northern side of the park bordering Barnes Brook, the stream connecting Wigwam Pond with the Charles River. Improve ecological health, flood storage functions, and potentially recreational access. 

Naturalize Open Space: Renaturalizing low-use park space between Barnes Memorial Park and the Gonzalez Field can restore the health and flood-storage capacity of the adjacent wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, and boost biodiversity.

Stream Storage: Construct overflow storage for Barnes Brook to safely store excess water during times of high flow and protect surrounding areas from flooding impacts.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Implementing rain gardens and bioretention basins by the parking lot and playground along Eastern Ave. will store additional floodwaters, further improve water quality, cool surrounding areas, and serve as an educational opportunity.