Because the lot will be more than 15% impervious surfaces, we will need a stormwater management plan. However, the steep slopes on the site should have a plan anyway and it will serve as the basis for a good design and specification with the excavator.
We've been spending the last couple of months thinking about how to manage stormwater on the site. We had friends walk the site with us - one works for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, one for the University of Minnesota, and another with Crow Wing Soil and Water.
We spent time with excavators understanding what they would do with the site and recommendations on where to place the driveway and septic.
We listened to a talk at the energy fair about how to work with nature to manage water.
Here's some items to consider in our plan:
- Infiltration basins at the top of the hill to capture all the water that falls on top.
- Dry creek bed to direct and slow the water on the side of the driveway.
- Require clean equipment and fill at the site - don't move in any invasive species.
- Do not drive any equipment over the infiltration basins - soils will be compacted and not allow water to seep away
- Get a soil test to determine the different layers and how the water will drain.
- A slope of 3 to 1 is ideal for a final grade, which will be impossible as the driveway comes down the hill
- Use erosion control fabric on the slope and plant as soon as possible
- Minimize disturbance to existing vegetation on the hills.
- Consider a product that will divert water off the driveway through channels in the pavement
- Consider permeable driveway - pavers are the best option for this - don't try permeable asphalt due to the high maintenance requirements
- Understand the choices in erosion control fabric and seed mixes. Hydroseeding will give the site the best chance to fill in quickly.
We've been spending the last couple of months thinking about how to manage stormwater on the site. We had friends walk the site with us - one works for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, one for the University of Minnesota, and another with Crow Wing Soil and Water.
We spent time with excavators understanding what they would do with the site and recommendations on where to place the driveway and septic.
We listened to a talk at the energy fair about how to work with nature to manage water.
Here's some items to consider in our plan:
- Infiltration basins at the top of the hill to capture all the water that falls on top.
- Dry creek bed to direct and slow the water on the side of the driveway.
- Require clean equipment and fill at the site - don't move in any invasive species.
- Do not drive any equipment over the infiltration basins - soils will be compacted and not allow water to seep away
- Get a soil test to determine the different layers and how the water will drain.
- A slope of 3 to 1 is ideal for a final grade, which will be impossible as the driveway comes down the hill
- Use erosion control fabric on the slope and plant as soon as possible
- Minimize disturbance to existing vegetation on the hills.
- Consider a product that will divert water off the driveway through channels in the pavement
- Consider permeable driveway - pavers are the best option for this - don't try permeable asphalt due to the high maintenance requirements
- Understand the choices in erosion control fabric and seed mixes. Hydroseeding will give the site the best chance to fill in quickly.