GOOD DRAINAGE, GOOD VIBES:
REVITALIZING, REPROGRAMMING, AND REVEALING STORMWATER AT
SOUTH EUGENE HIGH SCHOOL
University of Oregon Student Team:
Sam Aul* BAin PoLiticaLScience and Government, fftfta^NHcWriirTtelliOTilpfelfc
Ei® adotffocU-BA i n fiesLogy, Master of E ssi'tsnrsiM Stud ies,. docto© i stu dent En l en dscape
Architecturf
TorttPiorelli: BS in Plan ning, Master of PubficAdifiinistratjon^d'O'Ctoal student in Landscape
Architecturf
Map Lazarot BA in.Advertising, Master of ftjlJlicAdsiinisttation student
Brittany M urphy - BA in Zoology, M aster of Landscap# Arch itectttn
EI lee StapMon. - BS i n Biology, Master of Landscipe.Are:h:ite:cttcfs, cfoctortl student i n. Landscape
Architecturf
Faculty Advisors:
Yiksng Ko - Asslsta nt P rofesso r of La ndsoa pe Architecty n (Pri nwy AgMsorf
Michael Gsffel - Visiting Professor of Luiitefpei^itfifite
Jeff Knyeger- A^ y net Professo r of Lg ndsci pe Arshitectu m
Facilities Advisors:
Michitf Elefftmin -£ygen@4J School District Architectand. Planning Manager
Scott Alten toff - City of Eugene Urta a Forestry Analyst.
Fmd Loekhart:-City of Eugene Stonmwater Green Infrastrwctigrf Maintirtf:ncel%:nn Mgrnt Analyst
SteUif Mi Her - City of Eugene Parte and Q:pen.Spce ScologicalSeMffiSTeamSupgrvisaf
Doug Singer - Ci ty of Eugene Pri nci p 1 E ngineer
Michael Rea - Videogsphsf; UniversityofGregonSchocI of Journalists art Communication
High School Student Consultant:
Dover.sites - Junior Ewleortrftental Club Mefnber
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ABSTRACT
Located in dos9pi®irftitytodowrttownBuge&iaftd the University of Oregon, South EUgerte High
School sits-d i rectly adjacent to Amazon Creek, which is currently listed as an impaired: waterway
undffthe Clean Water Act. Although they are in dose ps&ximity to mch other, the connection
between the creek a nd the sohoo 11 s currently i nvisiiale as- ru noff from: th e schoo 14ti i ns i nto
stoMMatef i n lets Sffd flows u ndargf&urtd, di rfktly i rate Afflizon Greek The frontentrinee ofths
school is occupied by over2 acres of lawn which becomes waterlogged in the wetOregpn winters
and goes largely iindgftjti I ized iby students. T he water tewing off the school's towns, parking
I ots,ani rooftops is piped unfitted into the degraded and channelized oeek?-significantly
contrib'utingto the poor water quality downstream.
"Good D ra inage, Good Vibes"-ftameil after a cflffi Efient: lay a student du ri ng a stikiho ttfer
engaggmgnt activity— envisions a sdrool campus that manages stormwater orisite and makes the
flow of stormwater demonstrable and legible to th6community. Th tough:a^enslve foraffiUnity
engaggment and stu dent psrtlcipation, th is poject pai rs green i nfrastryeture i ntersentio ns,
primarily designed to reduce t unoff pdEiotion frdniHie SEH3 campus, with strategies t& increase
visi bi Iity of urSa a sto-rmwafef management,.- provide hands-on' ed ucationa I ixperiences for
students, and connect the btt&ddf corara lift ity to their vs^teish^ This project demonstrates a
regionally relevant green infrastructure site redesign that combines the benefits of stormwater
treatment, climate mitigation, active transportation planning, and ecological education,
.cater! n g to the cu r rent -user expe rienoe with an eye towards i n form i ng res i I i e n t u rba n watershed
tia hagafflefit.
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SITE SELECTION
REGIONAL CONTEXT
The Pacific Northwest is well known forthe rain, and Eugene, Oregon is no exception, receiving
over46 inches of annual precipitation; howeverthere is an enormous degree of seasonal
variability in precipitation. On average, Eugene receives over 60% of its annual rainfall between
November and February, while receiving less than 5 inches of total rainfall during June through
September, the four hottest months of the year (Figure 1). With climate change, most models
predict thatthis seasonal rainfall variability will
grow even more extreme, resulting in hotter,
drier summers and even wetter winters (May
et al. 2018). Furthermore, reduced snowpack
in the neighboring Cascade Mountains will
further exacerbate summer water scarcity and
poor quarter quality, as reduced quantities
of snowmelt will reach the Willamette
River mainstem and tributaries (Dalton et
al. 2017). These conditions illustrate the
importance of maximizingthe benefits from
local precipitation, while consideringthe
design implications of extremely seasonal
precipitation patterns.
SITE DESCRIPTION
South Eugene High School (SEHS) is located less than 2 miles from the heart of downtown Eugene
and just three blocks southeast ofthe University of Oregon. The SEHS campus faces many ofthe
same stormwater management challenges inherentto any urban site, but its unique proximity
to Amazon Creek, the major drainage for much of Eugene, makes stormwater treatment on site
particularly important. Conversations with the Eugene 4J School District Architect revealed that,
while current master plans forthe school grounds include plans to renovate the sports complex to
the south ofthe building, the large problems associated with the expansive lawns and impervious
surfaces atthe school's front entrance are not addressed (Figure 2), thus opening a timely
opportunity for our design intervention (Heffernan 2018). The school's location on a major bike
and pedestrian route and adjacentto a large city park make this area highly visible, not only to
students and their families, but to the community at large.
In 1956, the Army Corps of Engineers attempted to alleviate the risk of urban flooding by confining
Amazon Creek to a concrete-walled channel through the residential and commercial portions of
the watershed (City of Eugene, 2004). Non-point source pollution from residential, commercial,
and industrial properties is a significant issue in Amazon Creek, leading to the watershed being
listed as water quality limited underthe Clean Water Act (City of Eugene 2004). Turbidity, dissolved
oxygen, mercury, and bacterial concentrations are currently exceedingtheTotal Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs) developed for Amazon Creek, and elevated stream temperature from limited
riparian vegetation further impairs aquatic ecosystem conditions (City of Eugene 2004).
Climate: Eugene, Oregon (1981-2010)
lAverage Precipitation
•Average High Temperature
¦Average Low Temperature
Figure 1: Average monthly precipitation and temperature
range for Eugene, Oregon
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Planters
1.5%
Lawn
27.8%
Sidewalk
8%
/
Amazon Creek
inside concrete
channel
Parking Lot
32.9%
Figure 2: Aerial photogiaph of South EugeneHigh School campus, including breakdown of land cover on the-demon-
s^mim-prolsctsits
Cyrrint initiatives being undertaken bythe City of Eugene make this n®|justth? right b^fon^but
a lso the right ti me for a green i nfrstructyrE prefect at. SEHS.. A City of Eugene Pub lie Works prafet
writtgn1 n to |hi city'5 capita I expendtuns for2020, willriech?nntf z® AnapsaCreekforseveriI
blocks, south of the main .school grou nfs. This: p reject wi 11 widen the eha nnd, and graile grariu ally
iippi ng creek bm The IE HS ca rnpus is |he fi rst p ropaty di rectiy 4©wnstrca m of this mstoation
•and could further contribute to improved watershed lhealte.tjyfi:lteringandiitreatingi..site runoff
before it enters, the fi rst channelized section of the creefc
The City of Eugene is also planning for a separated two-way bike line to be installed on High
Street, 3 mi nor northbound arteriaiwhich originates on the no^rthwest comer of the school
properly, .Although bike path users regularly access the existi ng northbou rtd bi ks fens on' H i gh:
Street, this u ^protected mid-b back connection is chi ten ginga raj dangerous for cydists to
navigate:,. A. eri.es 1 gn of th is ju n ctiori. wiU fee necssary to accom.mod ate i ncreased volu ma and. two-
way bike traffic. Situated just feet from the ban'ks of Amazon Creek, the school has the opportunity
te use thou ghtfu I design to contri bute to pftdlestri a n and cyclist safety while treating stormwater
before its outfall into-thecreefc
SITE PROBLEMS
The existing co editions of the SEHS campus present a ftu mber of proMlBms,-. as well as
opportunities for design intervention. White there are many problem areas throughout the site*
the major stormwafercha Hinges can be clustered under three major themes: the invisiMe, the
underutilized, #nd the degraded (Figure 3).
invisible: Although .Amazon Qiuik is a rn^or tributary of the Witefnette River irtd bisects
d owntown Eugene the connection between th# urban landscape- and the Arnizon watershed
is cu nantly invisibte to stud ents and com munlty bite path users, .as surface fu noff flows to
storm; dainin lets, threw gh u mrfergroy nd i nfr§struetu:re> and expeLfei directly out of the cht or
fldizedaneeksidewBll Despite being the destinati on ofthe7,6 mi I lion gallons of water per
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yearfRSfflthe site, this connection is completely hidden from plain-view, Indeed^ in-a climate
known for its incessant rain, the'SEHSeanipusisitevoittofanfvisU'alocpii^lcalasknowi-
sd gemeftt of tte 41 i nches of an ftiril ft inM
Underutilized: ..Although the siteoceupies^-S acres, muchofthis at® is minimally used by
students and.. the puMc, aside fronn paitin|j,Thefft»lt entry to SEHS is flanked by large, fiat
expanses trf lawn whi^dt:b€com€'W.3terfeg|id in the wetOtegon wintersand.golaggely urn
dirutiiiasd by students. D ue- to poor infiltfati on and little topography, tlteZSitfiis of town-
become muddy and virtually inaccessibleduringtherainywinter months. These areas are
filiiTSRtly iffipted.and fertilized in.: the dry Summer months, butschoolls not in session during
these times ® few users- arc present. Although thewestpsrkingtet is Klativeiy well used by
vehicles, its cuttrent configuration usessptcfr inefficiently arid Cfiatei. an awkward and din-
ggrous intersection fcr p^ed'estri a ns # nd bicyclists.
Degraded: Paha ps th§ fftost jsrafelatati c aspefltof the site is the enormous quantity of
y nfilterecl waterthat drains directly into Amazon Greefc Eien in theoretically permeable areas
Covered in lawn,, day soils prevent i nfiItration, ca using water to flow rapidly across the surface,,
¦carrying pollutants with them^A-vast majority ofthe site is covered parking lots md octets
which, in addition to being impermeable, mayilao- have high pollutant loads. Stormwater
flowing fom theSEHS campus lawns,, parking lets, and rooftops, is pipes! un filtered, into the
Amazon Cre.sk,, contributing to the creek's degraded water qua lity.
Figure 3: Photos depicting in\ tstbk {left), underutilized [center), and degiaded {lightj qualities ofthe SEHS campus.
DESIGN GOALS
With: the neigh feoi ng bite path a nrf clsa rsight lines aoioss the creeks 5E HS is a highly visi b le and
prominent site, perfectfofravealiiiifld dlsplsyingstormwatif solutions. The pftsKimltyofSEHSte
.downtown EugeneAmazon Pa rk, the UniveRity of Oregon, an tithe bike pathmakes- connections
to. the wider com m u nity etpecia 1 ly pfittliis and: i nefeasesthe o p po-rtu nity for visib le, ed u catlona 1
programming and displays on site. Finally, upcoming creek restoration and: bike lan-e reconfigura-
tions provide epportu n ities fo r holistic cat la fcxfftti on: between the City of E ugene and: the Eugenie
4J School Pi strict.
Revitalize the degraded
Provides multitude of ecosystem services, with the primary purpose of filtering stormwifeF
before it makes its way i nto Amazon Creek.
Program the underutilized
TransfofFTi the cu itsntly bare and uin programmed front' lawns dSthe school into a: snu ti func-
tional social and educational spaces that provide learning opportunities for students, as well
as .a .tea uti fut and fu nctiona I campus entran ce>,
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Reveal the invisible
Educate and respire interest in urban stormwateriiwia^raEfitttimj^ilthe prominent use of
sensors, lighting, and highly intetSetivestaffrwsta"'iaeilities.
PARTICIPATORY SITE SELECTION
A fund a ro cntal co si ponent of this pfoject was the process of i ncorporati rig in put from "various
eorBffi unity stitehaMe&rttifaLighout the design process, the team consulted with the Eugene 4J
School District Architect; SEHS students, facilities; and administrators; 'and City of Eugene' Public
Works officiali from U isi n Forestry Stoaffiwatef Ma nagerftant, Civi I E figirafiri ng, i ftd Eeofegi ca I
Services departm ents.
Befo-irf. the fi rtflsite was delirt#^s th:edie#ign teaffi coofl i natecfa meeting with theSEEfS EnvE
wtmenldLCluta, an etecurriculargroapofS) high-school students. This firstrneetingwith stu-
##nts allowed students to pwovictefaedf&#ck
on the types of storrfiwater feci lities that would
|e ffr^st positively ree&i |y th e sty| ent
tody (Figure 4) as wtU as allowing the desip
tea Pfi fo sol i cit i n py t rifprfi ng specific a if as
on the SEHS. cs m pus that go underutilized
!y tht stu#nt body, have dfairtpge issues, or
raise othErenviroffinrtental concerns (Figure 5).
The resultsthis initial matingprovided
fu rth-ff evidence that the M ea 1 focil & rea for
gsiert' i nffastffucturf intervention was atefi|jth$
front of the schootrhe results front this activity
i nf I'uenpld grfen 'infrastructure ^cisions): en-
couraging the design -tea in to i ncorporate a variety of interventions that pasted, students' interest.
Us! ng stu#nt g&nemted data', the design -tesfiMatineated a siteforthf project that covers'7,8
¦acres on the north side the school building.
I Positive Neutral ¦ Negative
Figure 4: Stmlmts wiem B$kmfte
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SITE ANALYSIS
SOILS
The 5EHS campus Is .situated within the historic flood ptain of Amazon Creels and the entire site is
#i a ractirteed b§r dPiff i ch sofli a nd. a sha i low water tafals, rsngi rif from 6 to 12 i n ch es d ee p (N RCS
Ft,ri,}.. TbeSEHS cam pus is under!®! n by the Bashaw- Urfoa a la ad eom p lex and the Natroy-U Ftetn
land complex, both of which are in the hydjoiogicsoil group D (NRCS ad.).
EXISTING VEGETATION
Cujfen% 79 trees exist, on the' SE H S site, most of which a ce p Imted ;i n.
parking1 lot tree wills and p Isnti ng strips (n=39), or in the i ight-of-wgy a lo ng
19thAvenue ih=25). N one of Ihe trees are fully mature and, a 11 are tetow 30
feet tell. The dom! na nt trie species, th roughpift the .site isthenartow-feafed
a.sh ptxinjs sngustifaliaj, although. G;rggon white oak (Quercus. gar^yana}
and western white pine (Pireusmonticolaj apgalso present Ibe'Stregt trees
on 19th /%enug:{n=2S| are a 11 Americar. Sweetgum |Lii|uliteJ!tbar.sty©cif[ua)'
These trees are matu Ft' but have been severely PPJ rr@d. to fetp thim Wow
the height of overhead utility lines.
WATER FLOW AND DRAINAGE
All water on the sitedtafns from stocmwater inlets into the 12-foot-deep concrete channel of Ama-
zon Creel! to the west, of the school The existl ng site .has very little topographic m elation with less
than Orl§fe gride 1 n most p lices, Wh at little slope there is d rai ns water away from the buulding in -all
directions to a series of inlets (Figure 6). Those along the west .side of the .site outfall directly into
the creek, wh i le those to the noith connect to pipes ;nu rtnin g slong 19th Avena a which a [so .ulti-
mately terminate 5 n the creek. The east piling lot is strongly Hcwned* d irectiitg water to- the same
pipes i long 19th .Avenue a nd Pattsrson 'Street, The roof of the by i Idi ng is cmrmtty ijiined toy a
series of downspouts off the 'to nt. and si des These have been poo rly maintel ned, and 'water often,
pools at the base of the school-
. . N
J SEHS Site — Contour (0.5 ft)
1 DrainageArea —~ Flow Direction ^ ~(
1 1 0 150 300 450 600
s
Figure 6: Map depicting demonstration site elevation contours, flow direction, and drainage areas
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DESIGN SOLUTION
The City of Eugene Stormwater Management Manual dictates the types of green infrastructure in-
terventions that can be used, based on the hydrologic soil group (City of Eugene 2014). To conform
to the City of Eugene Stormwater Management standards, any stormwater management facility
in hydrologic soil group D is limited to stormwater pollution control through filtration and cannot
be designed as an infiltration facility (City of Eugene 2014). Filtration facilities are designed with
underdrains, which allows waterto percolate through the added soil media, removingsuspended
solids and reducing peakflow. If sized correctly, filtration facilities are designed to retain 80 percent
of the total suspended solids from runoff (City of Eugene 2014).
The design team prioritized working with existing drainage patterns, where possible, to minimize
regrading and of existing parking lots. Based on the existing slopes and drainage of the site the
total area of pervious and impervious surfaces was calculated for each drainage area (Figure 7).
While the primary goal in siting green infrastructure on the SEHS campus was to reduce runoff pol-
lutant loads into the adjacent Amazon Creek, the m u Itifu nctiona lity of green infrastructure inter-
ventions allowed our design team to maximize a variety of ecosystem services, including improved
habitatfor birds, amphibians, and pollinators; increased native plant biodiversity and carbon
sequestration; reduced energy usage and air
pollution; and expanded opportunities for
outdoor recreation and education. This project
incorporates a variety of green infrastructure
interventions including stormwater planters,
permeable parking, rain gardens, downspout
diversion, a green facade, and an ecoroof
(Figure 8). Each element of the design was
selected and sited to not only manage storm-
water onsite, but to provide opportunities for
students, and the surrounding community, to
engage with a diversity of stormwater manage-
ment interventions and gain an appreciation
forthe variety of benefits that can be provided.
DESIGN INTERVENTIONS
1. RAIN GARDENS
All runoff from the school roof, the central and west parking lots, and existing pervious surfaces
is accommodated by three, gently sloped, flat bottomed filtration rain gardens. These shallow
depressions accommodate 12 inches of surface pooling and are vegetated with diverse native
groundcovers, shrubs, and trees selected to provide food and habitatfor pollinators, birds, and
amphibians. To meet the standards in the Eugene Stormwater Management Manual, these facili-
ties will be planted with over 24,000 individual plants (City of Eugene 2014). While the rain gardens
will need to be irrigated during plant establishment, replacing 25% ofthe lawn (0.5 acres) with
native plants will reduce the long-term water usage and irrigation costs.
)(UH)I
Rain Garden Rain Garden Rain Garden Stormwater Stormwater
(Central) (NE) (NW) Planter (NE) Planter (SE)
Figure 7: Pervious and impervious surface area for the five
distinct drainage areas
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1. rain gardens 5. extensive green roof - covered bike parking
2. parking lot and median stormwater planters 6. green facade
3. rooftop cascade and swale 7. bike path and education boardwalk
4. trees 8. permeable parking
Figure 8: South Eugene High School design intervention site plan and cioss sections
UD
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2. PARKING LOT AND MEDIAN STORMWATER PLANTERS
Runoff from the high school's largest parking lot will be captured in stormwater planters on the
eastern and northern borders ofthe lot. There is also an opportunity to coordinate with the City of
Eugene's ongoing effortto install median stormwater planters to manage street runoff. The medi-
ans of 19th St. on the north edge ofthe SEHS campus is currently occupied by 25 mature American
sweetgums [Liquidambarstyraciflua), which require annual pruningto avoid above-ground utility
wires. Although this project proposes thatthe City of Eugene installs stormwater planters along
the right-of-way, replacingthe American sweetgums with with 30 smaller paperbark maples (Acer
griseum), the right-of-way design benefits were not factored in to the design performance.
3. ROOFTOP CASCADE AND SWALE
The central feature in the redesign of SEHS is a columnar basalt cascade, which receives runoff
from the school roof. This feature, surrounded by native trees such as vine maple (.Acercircinatum),
pacific dogwood [Cornus nuttallii), and red alder (Alnus rubra) is intended to showcase Oregon's
shade-tolerant tree diversity and geologic history, providing a captivating aesthetic at the school
entry. The roof runoff flows from the cascade into a swale, designed to with a 1 percent grade, that
channelizes and directs the flow towards the central rain garden, just to the west.
4. TREES
Trees provide a multitude of benefits including precipitation interception, carbon sequestration,
air pollution reduction, energy savings. In ourdesign, we propose the planting of 51 new trees on
the SEHS campus and suggest that the City of Eugene plants 30 replacement paperbark maple
trees for the 25 heavily pruned sweetgums.
5. EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF - COVERED BICYCLE PARKING
Students from the environmental club unanimously agreed thatthey would like to see extensive
green roofs incorporated into the SEHS campus (Figure 4); however, none ofthe existing school
structures have visible roof surfaces. As one ofthe primary goals of this project is to make the
green infrastructure interventions visible, the design team proposed a new bicycle parking area,
covered by an extensive green roof, planted with sedum.
6. GREEN FACADE
Students from the environmental club were enamoured with the idea a green facade on SEHS
(Figure 2), and we selected the gymnasium facade on the west end ofthe building to create the
artistic landmark feature ofthedesign. Facilities staff warned usthatan elaborate facade would be
quite difficult to maintain, so we elected to create a simple design using a wire structure to support
Virginia Creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a low-maintenance, shade-tolerant vine.
7. BIKE PATH AND EDUCATION BOARDWALK
To improve the safety and circulation for pedestrians and bicyclists, our design team rerouted the
existing bike path to connectto the proposed two-way bike path down High Street. This design
move effectively disconnected an existing parking lot, and we used this opportunity to incorpo-
rate a rain garden and education boardwalk directly adjacent to Amazon Creek and the bike path,
reducingthe impervious surface area ofthe site by 6,028 square-feet.
8. PERMEABLE PARKING
Modifications to the bike trails on the west side of campus will necessitate the removal of 36
existing parking spaces. As parking is at a premium for students and staff, this plan compensates
for this parking reduction with the the construction of a 9576 ft2 porous asphalt parking lot, which
provides an additional 26 parking spots. This intervention provides an opportunity to monitor and
assess the stormwater benefits of porous asphalt over a poorly drained soil at a small scale.
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DESIGN PERFORMANCE
FACILITY SIZING AND STORMWATER PERFORMANCE:
We used the Presumptive Mdthcxi otilined in ttie&^riEStoffliwater ManagerTEnt Manual, a ad
required for permitting of facilities with drainage areas Iirgerthin,15,000 ft2 .(City of E^pnfB201;%
As our site is limited to filtration facilities, the Eugene Stomiwater ManagarBnt Manual requires
feci 11 ties, esigneci solely for icn proving'water qua lity, to be sized to accomodate 100? percent of th#
ra noff fera a. 141 nch, SMrajf d esign storm [City of Eugene 2014]. M eeti ng the P:resu ra ptive M eth-
od sizing requirements forwaterquatity ensures th it facilities treat 80 peiwntof average annua I
©infall, reducingconcentntionsof suspended solids, heavy r&etsis,. nutrients, and tKJeria (City 6f
Eugene 201=% usultsgrf clispigyecl in Table 1, Figure 9, and Figure 10 :
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES CALCULATED USING ITREE:
Trees planted in theSEHS redesign provide a snuttitude of ecosystem services inc I udingstorrs wa-
ter runoff reduction, uiT quality iraprsviPTentS', carbon sequestration, and energy savin p. Using
24-hour Design Storm Event
Treated
(cubic feet)
Untreated
Overflow
(cubic feet)
Total Site
Volume
(cubic feet)
Percent
Treated
(%)
Water Quality Design Storm (1.4 in)
22786
0
22786
100
2-year Storm Event (3.12 in)
48772
15387
64159
76.0
5-year Storm Event (3.6 in)
56766
19327
76093
74.6
10-year Storm Event (4.46 in)
58702
38946
97648
60.1
25-year Storm Event (5.18 in)
59120
56672
115792
51.1
Rainfall (Inches/24 hours)
IjRain Garden (NW)
Jstormwater Planter (NE)
Istormwater Planter (SE)
^Overflow (Untreated)
Rain Garden (Central)
Rain Garden (NE)
12%
15%
73%
1
Evaporation
H Infiltration
^^Runoff
Table l (top): The Presumptive Method was used to model the volume of treated and untreated runoff for the water
quality design storm, as well as the2-yeai, 5-year. 10-year, and25-yeai events. Figure 9 (bottom left): Presumptive
Method results demonstrate that facilities surpass the City of'Eugene's pollution control requirements forthe Watei
QualityBmigfjSom. Figure 10 (right): StormwaMrEMb&fBtor madek^itma^em^eammi decrease
in runoff. These results s/iotv that our design proposal reduce annual runoff by 14%
11
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the i-Tree Design web application, we calculated the projected benefits provided by the 51 newly
planted trees (Figure 11).
The trees benefits outweigh the cost:
of planting and maintenance in the
first 25 years.
Over the next 50 years
Combined benefits reach $105,000,
more than $2,000/year, on average
Over the next 99 years:
An estimated $388,000 in combined
benefits
Intercept 10.4 million gallons of rain-
fall
Remove 1.5 million pounds of atmo-
spheric carbon dioxide C02
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
7/7 Chemistry last year we learned about acidity, so / think that measuring how that changes over
time here in the rain gardens and maybe in Amazon Creek could be really unique and a really good
experience because it would be a chance for some hands-on science."
Dover Sikes, SEHS Junior
This project is designed to highlight and utilize the many benefits of stormwater green infrastruc-
ture. The academic setting of a high school inspired a project goal of turning the landscape of
SEHS into a living laboratory and place of education. We envision this redesign as a space for SEHS
students, University of Oregon researchers, City of Eugene designers and maintenance staff, and
the general public to engage with green infrastructure and become better informed about water-
shed health, local ecology, and green infrastructure interventions. Performance monitoring and
testing is a vital part of the green infrastructure design and maintenance process, but it is often
overlooked and under budgeted. Because education is a central tenet of our landscape design, a
range of testing, monitoring, demonstration, and general education strategies are proposed. There
are a variety of sensors and measurement devices, both digital and analog, that can be installed
around the site to provide real-time data.
Many sensortypes can be paired with LED displays that can be incorporated in the building facade
or bike path and light up to indicate sensor readings. Watertemperature and pH can be measured
with small digital sensors and placed in both green and gray stormwater drains and inlets. Small
water turbines can be installed in outflow pipes to track water flow rate and can be paired with LED
lights to demonstrate small-scale hydroelectric power generation.
There are also opportunities for onsite demonstrations and experiments to be conducted by
students and stormwater professionals. Sedimenttraps can be installed in parking lot stormwa-
ter planters and can be removed to demonstrate the problems of erosion and pollution in urban
waterways, as well as the benefits of green infrastructure. Rainfall volume can be measured using
S300.000
-¦ Carbon Sequestration
-~ Air Quality
— Summer Energy Savings
75
Years after Planting
Figure 11 Benefits from newly planted trees (n=51), mod-
eled using the iTree Design
12
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plastic graduated cylinders to track precipitation levels of rain events from yearto year, the distri-
bution and severity of which are expected to change with the warming climate (Dalton et al. 2017;
May et al. 2018). The infiltration rate associated with porous asphalt proposed forthe new parking
area can be measured each yearto inform facility efficacy and maintenance schedules. Yearly
plant and wildlife surveys can be conducted by SEHS biology and environmental science classes
to monitor plant community health and habitat benefits provided by facilities.
We envision the SEHS site to be a source of education forthe general public, as well. The educa-
tion boardwalk, in the northwest corner of the site, is located at the convergence of the Amazon
Creekbike path and 19th Street,which are subject to heavy bicycle and foot traffic. This would
be the ideal location to install interpretive signage, as well as QR codes, to inform curious visitors
about the benefits provided by green infrastructure onsite.
There are also many opportunities for citizen science on the site. Educational displays can direct
visitors to sites like eBird, where birders can report sightings of species on SEEIS campus. Photo
monitoringstations can also be set up where people can take photos of a specific view ofthe site,
usually prompted with a sign and designated ledge or platform on which to place their phone
or camera. Photos can be uploaded to social media with hashtags that would allow students or
researchers to trackthe visual condition ofthe site across seasons and years.
PHASE 3
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASING
Phase 1 (yearl-2): Phase 1 ofthe projectwill
focus on the entrance ofthe school. Establish-
ingthetwo largest rain gardens, trees, paths,
seat walls, and basalt cascade will require the
most landscape disturbance and, once com-
plete, will provide the most stormwater ben-
efits immediately. Focusing on the front ofthe
school first provides the additional benefits of an
improved campus aesthetic and increased community awareness forthe remaining phases.
Phase2 (year3-4): Phase 2 wi 11 prioritize the parking lot stormwater planters, which is the final
site alterations that will not need to be conducted in coordination with the City of Eugene.
Phase 3 (year5-10): As rerouting the bike path will require extensive cooperation with the City of
Eugene Public Works, we recommend that the west parking lot redesign is implemented last. This
will allow for detailed consultation and the potential for a jointly funded public space renovation.
Figure 12: Three proposed phases for completing design
interventions
MAINTENANCE
Green infrastructure interventions on the site can easily be incorporated into existing school
district maintenance regimes and costs. Feedback received from City of Eugene officials and 4J
School District facilities staff has been integrated into our site's maintenance plan.
The overall maintenance cost has been estimated at $23,064.04 annually, including an additional
13
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15% for contingency costs (Table 2). Costs wi 11 &e furthifoffset by a ffcdu&iort in SEHS's storm wa-
ter utility fee pairitothe City of [ 'gene. By treating244373 ft2 of impervious surface® on site, SEHS
cart reduce its rftafithiy stofffiwaM utility fee fey $1,033.70 (City of Eugene 2018).
Operations & Maintenance (Annual Costs)
Item
Quantity
Unit
Cost/Unit
Total
Notes
Rain Gardens
28338
Sq. Ft
$0.31
$8,784.78
CNT n.d.
Stormwater Planters
5170
Sq. Ft
$0.25
$1,292.50
EPAn.d.
Porous Asphalt
9576
Sq. Ft
$0.09
$861.84
CNT n.d.
Walking Path - Gravel
1762
Sq- Ft
$0.02
$26.43
CNT n.d.
Seat Walls - Concrete
250
Linear Ft
$0.15
$37.50
CNT n.d.
Swales
7094
Sq. Ft
$0.06
$425.64
CNT n.d.
Extensive Green Roof
1800
Sq. Ft
$0.02
$36.00
CNT n.d.
Green Facade
625
Sq. Ft
$0.04
$25.00
CNT n.d.
Tree Planting & Establishment
51
Each
$20.00
$1,020.00
CNT n.d.
Sensors
4
Each
$400.00
$1,600.00
Allenby and Burke n.d.
Boardwalk
2121
Sq. Ft
$2.78
$5,896.38
IPREn.d.
Bike Path - Concrete
1711
Sq. Ft
$0.03
$49.62
CNT n.d.
Downspout Disconnection
19
Each
$0.25
$4.75
CNT n.d.
SUBTOTAL $20,055.69
15% Contingency $3,008.35
TOTAL $23,064.04
Table 2: limvmdmsoai QpemtmrnmB^^rmirMBmnce costsawsrchsigri impfemrntatim
Rain Gardens:
Maintenance including plant. care# mowing, weeding fertilizing, and tra#i renwaL can efficiently
fee i ririud ed: into tan going activities perfa fTfiid on exlsti n § p lanter bads on campus, Many of these
routine- msi nten a nee task ca n ateo fcperfoirned rnonthiyiiy students and volunteers using the
green. i nfrastfu ctu ft faci litfes for edutati ona I p iPpases.
Stormwater Planters:
Regular* weeding and maintenance of vegetation forthe stormwater planters can be accomplished
ina similar manner as e rain pdens. Inspection of strutiuralGMponcntsitioykJ be performs!
Iftgu espeei al|?after heavy ri in. -events: (Cto fifes. River Watershed .Association. 2008^
Green facade & Extensive Green Roof:
Duets tile use of Virgi nia tre^pef far tte grfeen: facad e little fftai ntenanca wi LL used ta. fef per-
formed outside of annual pruning and monitoring of the structural integrity of metal wiring Reg^
ulirwateri ng and fertlfizl ng of the extensive green: facf can fee acca::tfip-tisfied by accessing the- tew
bite rack roof via ladder
Permeable Pavement:
The permeable asphalt sections of the parking lot should be inspected regutsrly to prevent, clog-
ging art tosses to irrigation efficiency.- Tlbe US Department ofTtS.n.i;p0:rtation ecoMWeridS-vatti-
u m i ni or power wash i ng porous esphsit two to four ti mes per yew to remove debris and prevent
cLaggingCFederil Highway Administration 2215J.
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COSTS AND FUNDING
The total, 03 pitai costs of ou r design i rnp [mentation q n fEHS ca m pus accounts for spproxi mate-
ly $833,85153, whicft accounts fonuaiditiftnal15% in conti ngency costs (Table 3|, Many of the
egtlmBpt^sTgibg^pd-onsfrnilfrly sized grwn infrastructure projects in the Portland-metro area,
suppfl rti ng on r ca Inflations with fggi on a i iy sped fic prici tig d ate |CNT n.d).
Extensive' and ftexj tte fu mii ng o pportu n tigs are gyailgfole to pay forth# project due to the mu Iti-
facettdl and multi-state,hold©f I migration of the d esi gn, As the City of Eugene wo:rka to decha fi-
nalize Amazon Creekand enhance the bikgpith, opportunities abound to fevffligg partnerships
foradditionalfii'tiding. Land easements Mi puMtefighfroPway maybe implimMted to-complete
aspects of the project, particylar^ foreonstpsctionofthe btepath redesign and. the addition of
media r? planters a king 19th' Street, Additions Dy, m u nicipal bo nds havi been t successful fi.nanci ng
tool for capital projects for the 4J SchoslPistrictin thepst. Jn 2018, voters approved a mu Lti-mi 1-
lion dollar bond raeasurs by S5% to update schools inthe4J district (Roemeling2018).
Due'to the in lifipk- benefits provided by the p ma ny 'Opportunities for lea ns j nd grant
fu idi ngarf aval la bte*,7?i eSafe Drinking Water Revoking, Lo^ftKyr^, managed ^theOftgon
He®tth'authority, is eligitste for construction Of installation projects for improvements to water
"treatrfr#nt systems an*! ta it 1« n y p to .-$6 mill!on- ,jp;r p roj get. $ri nt p ft)gr| ms iu ch as the Seos
Institute's DrinkinglWaterProvidersPartnershipas well as the National Fisb.& Wild life Reinstation's
Capital Costs
Item
Quantity
Unit
Cost/Unit
Total
Source
Rain Gardens
28338
Sq. Ft
$5.15
$145,940.70
CNTn.d.
Stormwater Planters
5170
Sq. Ft
$7.16
$37,017.20
EPA n.d.
Porous Asphalt
9576
Sq. Ft
$5.50
$52,668.00
CNTn.d.
Walking Path - Gravel
1762
Sq. Ft
$1.72
$3,030.64
CNTn.d.
Seat Walls - Concrete
250
Linear Ft
$13.00
$3,250.00
CNTn.d.
Swales
7094
Sq. Ft
$5.50
$39,017.00
CNTn.d.
Bike Rack
1
Each
$1,200.00
$1,200.00
IPRE n.d.
Extensive Green Roof
1800
Sq. Ft
$8.75
$15,750.00
CNTn.d.
Basalt Cascade
150
Cu. Ft
$26.62
$3,993.00
Cascade Stoneworks n.d.
Green Facade
625
Sq. Ft
$8.00
$5,000.00
CNTn.d.
Tree Planting & Establishment
51
Each
$450.00
$22,950.00
CNTn.d.
Sensors
4
Each
$550.00
$2,200.00
Allenbv and Burke n.d.
Interpretive Signage
5
Each
$250.00
$1,250.00
IPRE n.d.
Boardwalk
2121
Sq. Ft
$100.00
$212,100.00
IPRE n.d.
Bike Path - Concrete
1711
Sq. Ft
$3.40
$5,817.40
CNTn.d.
Downsoout Disconnection
19
Each
$9.00
$171.00
CNTn.d.
Art Installation
625
Sa. Ft
$15.00
$9,375.00
Fixr n.d.
SUBTOTAL $551,183.94
15% Contingency $82,677.59
TOTAL $633,861.53
Table 3: ttem^gd capitslmsts for design imphmerfMmn
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Five Star Urban Waters Restoration Program provide funding for projects that provide water quality
enhancements in addition to benefits to species habitat. Grant opportunities to capitalize on the
educational benefits of the project exist with organizations such as the Umpqua Bank Charitable
Foundation.
REFERENCES
Allen by, J. and Burke, D.G. (n.d.). Low Cost Water Quality Monitoring Needs Assessment. The Ches-
apeake Conservancy.
Cascade Stoneworks, (n.d.) https://www.cascadestoneworks.com/basalt-columns/ grand-cou-
lee-basalt-columns/grand-coulee-basalt-column-20-dia meter//.
Charles River Watershed Association. (2008). Low Impact Best Management Practice (BMP) Infor-
mation Sheet, https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/stormwater_planter_crwa.pdf.
City of Eugene. (2004). Open Waterway Maintenance Plans.
City of Eugene. (2014). Stormwater Management Manual.
City of Eugene. (2018). Stormwater Waste Water User Fees.
Dalton, M.M., K.D. Dello, L. Hawkins, PW. Mote, and D.E. Rupp. (2017). The Third Oregon Climate
Assessment Report, Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmo-
spheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
EPA. (n.d.). National Stormwater Calculator.
Federal Highway Administration. (2015). Porous Asphalt Pavements with Stone Reservoirs, https://
www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/asphalt/pubs/hifl5009.pdf.
Fixr. (n.d.). https://www.fixr.eom/costs/paint-wall-mural#cQ.
CNT. (n.d.) Green Values: Stormwater Management Calculator, http://greenvalues.cnt.org/national/
cost_d eta i 1. p h p
Heffernan, M. (2018, November26). Personal Interview.
IPRE. (n.d.). Institute for Policy Research & Engagement, https://ipre.uoregon.edu/.
May, O, Luce, C., Casola, J., Chang, M., Cuhaciyan, J., Dalton, M., et al. (2018). Northwest. In Impacts,
Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II. U.S.
Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 1036-1100.
NRCS. (n.d.). Web Soil Survey. Accessed on November 30,2018. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.
usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.
Roemeling, Alisha. (2018). Eugene School District bond measure passes; Siuslaw bond measure
defeated, The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR. https://www.registerguard.com/news/201
81106/eugene-school-district-bond-measure-passes-siuslaw-bond-measure-defeated?start=5.
Sikes, D. (2018, November 29). Personal Interview.
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