Laurel Commons is a privately owned and maintained facility located in Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey. When built, the property was equipped with a standard grassed detention basin intended for stormwater drainage storage. This traditional basin method would hold stagnant water for long periods of time promoting unsightly conditions and a breeding ground for mosquitos. The drainage area to this grassed basin is approximately 5 acres. The proposed conditions included retrofitting this basin area to provide better infiltration and overall water quality while improving aesthetics. In order to achieve that, the grassed detention basin was converted into a naturalized bio-retention basin.
BIO-RETENTION BASIN
Unlike the traditional stormwater basin, stormwater directed to this bio-retention basin percolates through the system where it is treated by a number of physical, chemical, and biological processes. The native plants used are adapted for high water retention resulting in little to no flooding after such a project is implemented. This project's total area of disturbance was less than 30,000 square feet. To ensure success, additional measures included implementing weirs and adding "No Mow" zones. Overall, this basin retrofit project resulted in increased overall water quality and aesthetics of this area, and decreased flooding events.
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Interested in learning more? Are you:
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A Municipal Official?
- Please click "Technical Publication" for details on stormwater improvements that can be implemented in your town. |
A Concerned Clean Water Advocate?
- Please click "Clean Water Beautiful Bay" for a brochure on stormwater improvements that you can share with your local officials. |
A Planner or Engineer?
- Please click "Basin Prioritization Matrix" to understand how to target the most crucial areas in a watershed for stormwater improvements. |
Funding for this project provided through a Watershed Restoration 319(h) Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Grant #WM15-014)
