HRC was retained by Oakland University (OU) to complete an evaluation of the University's storm water management and conveyance systems. The University had numerous concerns regarding storm water drainage throughout the campus, relating to management of on-site storm water runoff as well as off-site pass-through flows from the tributary area of the Galloway Creek. Problems included flooding, stream bank erosion, and sedimentation which significantly impacted campus roadways and parking areas, athletic fields, the golf courses, Galloway Creek and other open watercourses.

HRC produced a comprehensive report that identified problem areas, proposed and prioritized solutions, provided guidance for future campus development and provided preliminary design for areas in need of immediate correction. HRC also reviewed the OU grounds and maintenance operations and recommended managerial and procedural changes to mitigate storm water runoff, improve water quality and reduce operational costs. HRC's GIS Department assisted by providing more current aerial photography than was available through local government agencies and by outlining the overall watershed boundary to identify new developments which may have been contributing to the recent flooding problems.

The recommendations were formulated to fit the University's Master Plan for expansion and to protect and enhance the natural beauty and natural areas of the campus. Because OU is a Phase II Storm Water permittee and active member of the Clinton Main Subwatershed Group, HRC incorporated public education and pollution prevention recommendations into the report and consideration was given to creating education and enjoyment opportunities for students, faculty, golfers and visitors to campus.

Recommendations include:

• Restoration and stabilization of drain and creek banks using hard- and soft-engineering techniques
• Retrofitting landscape features around existing building into infiltration beds/rain gardens
• Retrofitting existing roadside drains into wet detention areas to treat runoff from existing impervious surfaces
• Restoration of water features on campus and golf courses and creation of buffer strips around the features
• Creation of wetlands to serve as off-line detention areas for Galloway Creek to minimize flooding and sedimentation
• Replacement of much of the manicured turf grass on campus and the Golf Courses with prairie using native plants
• Incorporation of storm water management into all future development

Incidental to the study, HRC assisted OU in correcting two emergency storm water situations: the severe flooding of the ravine at Pioneer Road and the washout of a historic access bridge at the Golf Course. The solution to the flooding at Pioneer Road included the placement of a larger outlet structure with an overflow, the regrading of the ravine, placement of natural stone to reduce velocities and channel flows and bank stabilization using native plants.

HRC assisted OU in development of an implementation strategy, providing guidance on the implementation of the recommended managerial changes, and pursuing regional solutions to the flooding and sedimentation problems through meeting with local and state agencies.

HRC also is assisting OU in meeting Phase II Permit requirements by developing and implementing a Public Education Plan (PEP), an Illicit Discharge Elimination Plan and preparing Annual Progress Reports and an SWPPI. HRC is facilitating OU's quarterly meetings of their PEP committee and is conducting dry-weather observations of all OU's storm sewer outfalls.