On behalf of the Main 1-2 Rouge River Subwatershed communities, the Oakland County Drain Commissioner's Office (OCDC) received a grant to conduct an inventory and assessment of stormwater detention basins. The purpose of the Main 1-2 Detention Basin Inventory Study was to identify, characterize and prioritize existing detention basins as well as to make recommendations regarding necessary maintenance and possible design improvements. The study is an initial step toward addressing the goals of the Main 1-2 Rouge River Subwatershed Management Plan.

HRC compiled an inventory of existing detention basins based on maps, data, and plans provided by the communities. A field assessment of each basin was completed to document physical and hydraulic characteristics, determine if the basin was built and functioning as designed, verify land use, and document existing conditions. The basins were prioritized and recommendations were made for maintenance and/or retrofits based on an evaluation of the data collected during the inventory and field assessment. The results were incorporated into a GIS database and summarized in a final report.

The detention basin inventory was conducted in conjunction with an inventory of streambank erosion throughout the subwatershed. The streambank inventory was completed by Limno-Tech, Incorporated. Both inventories will form the basis of future planning and remediation efforts in the Main 1-2 subwatershed.

HRC conducted additional inventories for the City of Southfield and West Bloomfield Township.