Northampton Community College

Community Garden Bioswale/ Rain Garden Project Proposal

Michael MacDonald, Lucas Rappa and Victoria BastidasFaculty Advisor: Professor Karen M. Klein

NCC East 40- Community

Garden Project Background

Northampton Community College serves approximately 35,000

students.

The East 40 is a 40 acre parcel of undeveloped land purchased from Seiple Farms in 1998 that was last sprayed with broadleaf herbicide in 2006.

The Community Garden Project is a collaboration between students, staff and faculty and will serve as a sustainable food source and pedagogical tool for all NCC classes.

The main campus has over 1,000,000 square feet of impervious surface

High-voltage lines run parallel to and between the swale and garden areas with a requisite sub-surface ground wire 75’ on either side cannot be disturbed ~225’ between swale and power lines

Aerial View of NCC Main Campus

Topographic Map of Swale Site

(Red lines: 2’ contours)

Dimensions of ExistingSwale

Two existing swales built in 1968:

North detention pond: ~475’ long; ~54’ wide

South detention pond: ~737’ long; ~33’ wide

Benefits of Bioswale/Rain Garden

Provide safe, inexpensive, recycled water source for gardening needs

Decrease amount and quality of untreated runoff that empties into Nancy Run Watershed

Provide habitat for native species

Improve aesthetics

Combat carbon emissions

Provide a functioning model and teaching opportunity for students and the community

Possible Pollutants Found in Runoff Water Assays

Debris

Organic Hydrocarbons- petroleats- oil, gasoline etc.

Heavy metals- Copper, Zinc, Mercury, Cadmium

Animal waste

Coliform bacteria

Projected Bioswale/Rain Garden Plan

Layered organic and inorganic material

Vegetation/organisms that are useful in the biodegradation of pollutants

UV Filters?

Percolate collection system

Filtrate containment system-cistern

Recycled water delivery system

Desired Outcome

Functional, efficient and expandable working bioswale

A water containment and delivery system for the garden

Functional, aesthetically pleasing, ecologically-valuable rain garden to serve as an entry way to our garden

Pedagogical model for all visitors to the garden

Mutually beneficial educational intercollegiate collaboration and sharing of knowledge, ideas and creative solutions

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Far-Reaching Effects

Sources

http://www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/raingardens.htm

http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-48472/00_Cover_TOC.pdf

http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm

http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biortn.pdf

mmacdonald1@spartan.northampton.eduvickybastidas1@hotmail.comrappa85@hotmail.comkmklein@northampton.edu