Projects in the Community
In partnership with the Cincinnati Park Board, MSD is currently evaluating the effectiveness of various smaller-scale stormwater controls through demonstration-type projects at various landmarks in the Lick Run watershed.
The projects are located at:
St. Francis Court Apartments, 1860 Queen City Avenue
Immanuel Church, 1520 Queen City Avenue
San Antonio Church, corner of Queen City Avenue and White Street
Reforestation in the 2100 block of Queen City Avenue
St. Francis Court Apartments
- This property was converted from two unused parking lots to a bioinfiltration system utilizing two basins.
- Stormwater runoff is redirected to the upper basin where it intercepted by a biosoil mix that is designed for rapid infiltration and plants that filter out pollutants.
- The basin is planted with shrubs, grasses and perennials, all chosen for their adaptability to drought and flood conditions.
- Overflow from the upper basin is then directed to a second lower basin.
- This project will help remove 360,000 gallons of stormwater runoff a year from the combined sewer system.
Immanuel United Church
- This bioinfiltration basin was created to capture runoff from the building's roof.
- Pipes, connected to the building's downspouts, redirect the water to the constructed basin.
- The basin, which contains a highly-permeable biosoil, is planted with both grasses and perennials.
- Together, the soil and plants filter our pollutants, absorb water and provide a root structure that adds to the basin's sustainability.
- This project will help remove 8,000 gallons of stormwater runoff a year from the combined sewer system.
San Antonio Church
- Located on the corner of Queen City Avenue and White Street, this project is designed to capture stormwater runoff from the church's parking lot.
- Part of the blacktop parking lot will be removed and replaced with permeable pavers.
- Permeable pavers, unlike traditional asphalt or concrete, allow stormwater to infiltrate into an aggregate storage layer underneath.
- The permeable pavers, along with four small bioinfiltration areas in the parking lot, will capture stormwater runoff and then redirect the excess to the storm sewer.
- This project will help remove 73,000 gallons of stormwater runoff a year from the combined sewer system.
Lick Run Reforestation
- Various reforestation projects have taken place in the Lick Run Watershed, including projects along Queen City Avenue and at Rapid Run Park.
- Tree roots help abate stormwater by improving the infiltration of the soil, in addition to absorbing water.
- In a forest, the canopy layer slows rainfall and reduces runoff.
- By both removing invasive species and planting tree seedlings, the health of the watershed's forest is renewed.
Along Queen City Avenue, volunteers removed trash and invasive species like honeysuckle. Students from the University of Cincinnati donated 1,500 seedlings, which were planted in two lots along the 2100 block of Queen City Avenue.
In Rapid Run Park, Cincinnati Park Board workers cleared the site of invasive species and planted over 100 trees and shrubs.