E. Avenue NW Detention Basin-Ecological Uplift
2023
Project Partners
City of Cedar Rapids
About
Grant award
$150,000- WQI
Total project
$2,043,818
Applicant/Partner Contributions
$1,893,818
Summary
The City of Cedar Rapids is adding oxbows and native plantings to a large existing detention basin that is being renovated for flood control. The oxbows provide water quality and natural habitat benefits to the basin.
Description
The E Ave NW Detention Basin in Cedar Rapids is in the Middle Cedar watershed halfway along the Vinton Ditch which stretches between the eastern boundary of Cherry Hill Park and the Cedar River. The Vinton Ditch watershed is a major tributary in Cedar Rapids that is fully urbanized and suffers the effects of typical urban pollutants and maintenance issues such as debris blockages, flashy conditions due to high impervious areas upstream, sedimentation, and proximity to residential structures. The E Ave NW Detention Basin project meets multiple objectives, including water quality benefits featuring wetland oxbows and strategically located native plantings; localized flood mitigation; street improvements; watermain looping; sanitary sewer rehabilitation; and natural habitat restoration. The city of Cedar Rapids could have installed a traditional dry detention basin. However, they self-elected to go the additional step of adding components of “ecological uplift”, to provide water quality and natural habitat benefits, in addition to the peak flow attenuation benefit of a typical detention basin. A trail and signage are planned to be added alongside the area to invite the neighborhood to explore the oxbows and native plantings. FEMA is also providing financial support for this project.
Conservation Practices
Native plantings
Oxbow
