Chris May
Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management
Phone: 360-337-5777 or
cmay@co.kitsap.wa.us
Brian Hauschel
Kitsap County Parks Department
Phone: 360-337-5350 or bhausche@co.kitsap.wa.us
No:
10-53
New natural stormwater
system improves drainage and water quality at Village Greens Golf Course
(Port Orchard, WA) – Kitsap County Surface and
Stormwater Management (SSWM) and the Parks Department constructed a 600-foot
natural stormwater treatment system that will reduce flooding and improve
water quality at the Village Greens Golf Course. The new system consists of
multiple interconnected swales and ponds that will control runoff from
surrounding development that flows into Village Greens and will use “green”
stormwater techniques to treat the stormwater. The new system was designed
and constructed as a multi-functional landscape so that it fits into the
golf course.
Village Greens before
The golf course, which was developed in the 1950s, has a history of poor
drainage and ineffective stormwater infrastructure. In collaborating with
the Parks Department, SSWM removed the old stormwater pipes and used natural
features to reduce flooding and slow the water, resulting in improved water
quality. The new stormwater treatment system includes bioretention and
biofiltration swales, as well as retention ponds that will double as water
hazards.
Village
Greens after
Water from 30 acres upland of the Village Green Golf Course drains through
the golf course, and previously was not treated. The new treatment system
will collect, absorb and filter stormwater runoff from the 47 acre golf
course and the neighboring 30 acres. The new system was also designed to
reduce flows leaving the golf course that could impact downstream
properties.
“This project is a great example of County Departments working together to
solve water quality and local flooding problems,” says Chris May, Kitsap
County Surface and Stormwater Management Program Director. “In particular,
this project builds on our efforts to treat water as a resource by using
natural slopes and native plants to conserve our water resources.”
Brian Hauschel, Kitsap County South Parks Supervisor/Golf Course
Superintendent, says “we needed to do something about the golf course’s
drainage problems, and SSWM came up with a cost-effective solution. This
stormwater management is a benefit to the surrounding community and to our
golfers.”
SSWM also built two footbridges across the treatment swales, using recycled
and surplus materials to reduce cost. With these new walkways, golfers can
more easily access the course, even during wet weather.
Dave Marquis, SSWM’s utility maintenance supervisor says: “the crews enjoyed
working on this project, and worked well outside their normal routine. They
were very professional and did a great job. Working on the golf course was
also a great opportunity for them to use their creative skills. They built a
stormwater system that is functional and looks attractive -- like it is part
of the golf course.”
On this project SSWM provided the construction workers, materials and
equipment; the Parks Department provided seeding and erosion control. The
construction work lasted approximately one week.
Related Links:
For more information about the Surface and Stormwater Management program,
visit
www.kitsapgov.com/sswm.
