Lower Columbia River Field Guide to Water Quality Friendly Development
  IntroductionWhy Is This Important?Techniques and ExamplesIntegrated Site ExamplesResourcesSubmit a Site
             
 

Reduced Impervious Surfaces

Narrow or shared driveway
Narrow parking lot spaces
Narrow travel lanes


Permeable Surfaces

Permeable pavement
Permeable pavers
Turf block
Gravel
Cobbles

Roof Systems
Ecoroof
Roof garden

Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Rain Barrels
Cisterns

Landscape Systems
Trees
Contained planter box
Infiltration planter box
Flow-through planter box
Vegetated/grassy swale
Vegetated filter strip
Vegetated infiltration basin
Sand filter


Subsurface Systems

Soakage trench/dry wells/French drain

Conveyance
Downspout disconnection
Curb alternatives


   

Vegetated Filter Strips

Site:
Portland Parks Southwest Community Center
Owner:
Portland Parks and Recreation
Address:
6820 SW 45th
Portland, OR 97219
Contact

 

Comments:
With a slightly sloping area to work with, architects integrated a vegetated filter strip in the landscaping at the SW Community Center. The concrete berms act as spreader devices, slowing and spreading out the water. A variety of trees, shrubs and grasses can be used. Stormwater can enter as runoff, or from a directed source such as a pipe or disconnected downspout. The pictures show the swale at two different times of year, late winter and summer. Winter photo courtesy of Chuck Cooper.

 





Site:
Arata Creek School
Owner:
Multnomah Education Service District
Address:
2470 SW Halsey
Troutdale, OR 97060
Contact:
503.262.4850

 

Comments:
Photos show the filter strip soon after it was planted and multiple years later after the vegetation has grown. Vegetated filters strips reduce stormwater runoff by capturing, holding and absorbing water. They also can remove a high degree of sediment and other pollutants. Please call the Multnomah Education Service District before visiting this site. Newly planted photo courtesy of Greenworks PC.