Low Impact Development (LID)

In conjunction with the State's Proposition 84 Grant Program, the City of Chico implemented LID practices in City parking lots, greenways, and residential/commercial areas. The projects were designed to help prevent runoff from entering Big Chico Creek. Some of the LID projects are described below:

Site 1 and Site 4 - Parking Lot LID Retrofit and Riparian Restoration

City Municipal Parking Lot #5 was retrofitted to divert flow from the parking lot to landscape areas and onto pervious pavers as well as diverting flow from downspouts to pervious pavers. The other aspect of the project was to restore some of the riparian area of Lost Park which lies to the north of the parking lot. Bioswales, rain gardens, and native grasses and plants were installed in the riparian area to stabilize the bank and reduce erosion.

This project involved:

Site 1 - City Municipal Parking Lot No. 5

  • installing 4,800 square feet of pervious surface including 360 square feet infiltration area
  • 2 rain gardens
  • 3 downspout disconnects
  • 3 bioswales
  • 3 vegetated strips

Before Construction - Parking Lot:

After Construction - Parking Lot:

Site 4 - Lost Park

  • installing 400 square feet of pervious surface
  • rain garden
  • 600 square feet of riparian restoration

Before Construction - Lost Park Riparian Area:

After Construction - Lost Park Riparian Area:

Site 2 - Neighborhood Rain Garden Program

This project involved 7 project sites (Chapman Neighborhood, Murphy Commons Apartment Complex, Crister and Madrone Neighborhood, Train Depot, City of Chico Airport, Fire Station #1, and City Hall). The project included installing:

  • 1,200 square feet of pervious surface
  • 10 rain gardens
  • rain water tank (cistern) and pump system
  • 2 street gardens
  • 18 downspout disconnects

Site 3 - Crister Bioswale

This project involved one project site along Vallombrosa between Crister and Madrone Avenues. The project included installing a bioswale and 2 vegetated trenches.

 

Project 2A - Chapman Neighborhood

Chapman Neighborhood project involved diverting flows from the street to a rain garden, bioswale, and street garden. The rain garden and bioswale are located in a community area for the D Street and E. 16th Street neighborhood. This neighborhood participated in the development of the Chapman Neighborhood project and helps maintain the rain garden, bioswale, and street garden.

Before Construction - Community Area:

After Construction - Community Area:

 

Project 2B - Murphy Commons

The Murphy Commons project involved diverting storm water by installing downspout disconnects and using storm water by installing a rain water tank (cistern). The cistern is used to help water the community garden.

Before Construction - Cistern and Pump Location:

After Construction - Cistern and Pump Location:

 

Before Construction - Downspouts and Lawn:

After Construction - Downspouts Redirected to Rain Garden:

 

Project 2C and Project 3 - Crister and Madrone Neighborhood

The intent of this project was to improve an existing drainage area along the sections of Bidwell Park along the sections of Bidwell Park along Vallombrosa Avenue between Crister and Madrone Avenues to reduce residential runoff pollution and turbidity generated from this neighborhood from impacting Big Chico creek.

Before Cleanup - Inlet:

After Cleanup - Inlet:

 

Project 2D - Amtrak Depot Station

Amtrak Depot Station project involved diverting flows from the parking lot to bioswales, a rain garden, and a street garden.

Before Construction - Train Station Parking Lot:

After Construction - Train Station Parking Lot:

 

Project 2E - Airport Neighborhood

The Airport Neighborhood project involved diverting storm water from the parking lot to pervious pavers.

Before Construction - Airport Public Parking Lot:

After Construction - Airport Public Parking Lot:

 

Project 2F - City Fire Station #1

The City Fire Station #1 project involved diverting storm water from impervious concrete to pervious sidewalk and converting turf to a rain garden.

Before Construction - Fire Station #1:

After Construction - Fire Station #1:

 

Project 2G - City Hall

The City Hall project involved constructing a demonstration rain garden that included a decomposed granite walkway.

Before Construction - City Hall:

After Construction - City Hall:

Funding for these projects were provided in full or in part through the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Prop. 84), an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board.