Integrated Watershed Restoration in an Urban Environment: Candler Park, A Case Study

Abstract

The Candler Park, City of Atlanta watershed restoration project was the result of cooperative efforts among neighborhood volunteers and City of Atlanta over a period of nearly 6 years. The goal of the project was to improve water quality and reduce storm water peak discharge downstream on the Candler Park golf course. Environmental Services, Inc., was contracted to provide design services and to implement the construction of the project design. The implemented design employed an integrated approach which provided for the day-lighting of a system of springs and streams, removing a concrete flume, and constructing a new channel using a natural channel design approach. In addition, three extended detention wetland systems were constructed, energy dissipation step-pools installed, the riparian buffer was created and revegetated, and the restored stream was reconnected to its floodplain.