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Underwood supports and encourages more science and research in the restoration field. We were thrilled to see researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) published a new paper in the Journal of Hydrology demonstrating the efficacy of our regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) methodology in an urban stream. Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Solange Filoso set out to understand how RSC affects groundwater and terrestrial runoff dynamics and whether RSC reduces pollutant loads. In an urban stream outside of D.C., Dr. Williams and Dr. Filoso set up an experiment that monitored the restoration site concurrently with a non-restored stream one year before and two years after the stream restoration. In both locations, the researchers measured a variety of metrics including precipitation, stream discharge, stream temperature, stream pollutant loads, stream macroinvertebrates, and groundwater recharge and temperature. The researchers found RSC increased retention of stormwater runoff in the step pools, enhancing groundwater recharge and yielding a consistent stream baseflow and outflow during dry conditions. By retaining runoff for longer periods in the step pools, the RSC design forces water to filter through sands and gravels that promote the uptake and loss of nutrients, which decreases solute loads in the stream (most notably of Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Total Suspended Solids). In addition, enhancing groundwater recharge and increasing groundwater levels likely also contributed to reducing pollutants at the outflow. We were pleased to see this paper supports the efficacy of RSC for improving groundwater recharge, combating stormwater runoff, and reducing several pollutants. Be sure to read the full paper and learn more.
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