Ball Field Infiltration Basin
Ball Field Infiltration Basin
Ball Field Infiltration Basin
Where is this located? It is at the base of the hill below the trail and adjacent to the farthest ball field.
What’s special about this place? Prior to constructing this recreational amenity, drainage was installed under the ball field to collect the rainwater. Once it soaks in, it flows through underground pipes where they emerge at these infiltration basins. The rainwater requires no further treatment and eventually replenishes the groundwater.
About Infiltration Basins
Infiltration basins are low areas in the ground that temporarily collect runoff where it has time to soak gradually into the ground. These basins are usually dry except after a heavy rainfall. They are useful in residential and other urban settings to hold extra runoff and reduce the flow of runoff into streams. They require the right kind of soils which allow water to soak in. Soil texture and plant roots create spaces in the soil for water to flow into. Different soils absorb runoff at different rates; it depends on how wet the soil already is, and the amount of rainfall at the time. Sandy soils have spaces between each grain which allow water to soak in more quickly. Once water soaks into the basin area, it stays there until it’s taken up by plant roots or filters down and recharges the groundwater. Some of the water evaporates during warm summer months.
Water Quality Benefit: They improve water quality by settling and filtering out pollutants which prevents pollutants from being carried into streams. They also recharge groundwater. However, fast flowing water may not be in contact with the soil long enough for any treatment. When trees are planted in or left around infiltration basins, they can shade buildings and parking lots or other paved areas which reduces runoff temperatures. Preventing warmer runoff from entering streams is good for the creatures that live there.
Water Quantity Benefit: Infiltration basins are commonly used when there is an opportunity to reduce surface runoff. They are designed to imitate the natural movement of water and evaporation. By infiltrating some of the runoff, this reduces flows downstream. Anything you can do to hold water upstream reduces the size of piping needed downhill. Infiltration is the quickest way to address stormwater flows.
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Stormwater systems under the ball field keep it well-drained for year-round use. Water drained from under the ball field flows to the infiltration basins.
When it rains, this basin can hold and filter a lot of runoff
Note the shape of the infiltration basins making them accessible during the dry months of the year.
This is a view of the ball field infiltration basins and trail. Water from under the ball fields and from the adjacent hillside collect in these basins where it is infiltrated into the ground.
Under-drains below the ball fields collect the rain that falls on them and directs it to the infiltration basins as shown in this photo.
Infiltration basins or trenches are shallow depressions designed to temporarily store runoff. They require the right kind of soils which allow water to soak into the ground.
