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Stormwater Wetland

Stormwater wetlands are an effective tool for removing pollutants from stormwater runoff. Similar to a retention basin, stormwater wetlands collect runoff and store it in a permanent pool; however, wetlands are shallow and populated by marshland vegetation that helps treat the water and allows pollutants to settle to the bottom. Because stormwater wetlands seek to imitate the functions of natural wetlands, these systems can become aesthetic assets to the community and provide habitat for wildlife.  

Stormwater Wetland at Saylor Grove

  A one-acre stormwater wetland was constructed in the fall of 2005 on a parcel of Fairmount Park known as Saylor Grove. The wetland is designed to treat a portion of the 70 million gallons of urban stormwater generated in the storm sewershed per year before it is discharged into the Monoshone Creek. The Monoshone Creek is a tributary of the Wissahickon Creek, a source of drinking water for the City of Philadelphia. The function of the wetland is to treat stormwater runoff in an effort to improve source water quality while also minimizing the impacts of storm-related flows on the aquatic and structural integrity of the riparian ecosystem. This project is a highly visible Urban Stormwater BMP Retrofit in the historic Wissahickon Watershed.

Location

Watershed
Wissahickon

Address
Intersection of Lincoln Drive, Wissahickon Ave and Rittenhouse Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Neighborhood
Germantown

Google Map of 39.939472,-75.15823

Lead Agency

Philadelphia Water Department

Partners

Fairmount Park
Friends of the Monoshone
Friends of the Wissahickon
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers
Senior Environment Corps
Chestnut Hill College