Description
This bioretention basin is an example of green infrastructure in an institutional setting. It protects the water quality of the Hudson River by capturing and filtering stormwater runoff from the building and site. The retained runoff allows heavier sediments to fall to the bottom of the basin where it is filtered by plants, natural decomposition, and evapotranspiration. Further filtering takes place as the runoff slowly seeps through the underlying soils before reaching groundwater. The location chosen was a naturally occurring basin in the existing landscape, maintaining the project’s low-impact footprint. In addition, the plants in and around the basin are native to this area, have excellent filtering capabilities, and attract birds, butterflies and wildlife.
Site Location
- Site Address: Denning’s Point, part of Hudson Highlands State Park; Beacon, NY
- Town: Beacon
- County: Dutchess
- Owner: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, in partnership with NY State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation
- Location: Just east of the Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE)
- Land Use on site: Public Environmental Educational Center
- Can this site be visited? The park is open daily, dawn to dusk. CEIE and its green features are ½ mile walk from the parking area.
Practice Information Details
- Year of installation: 2008
- Stormwater Management Capacity: Not determined
- Intent of design: Protect the water quality of the nearby Hudson River
- Plant Material Used: All non-invasive, low-maintenance plants that are native to this area, that have excellent filtration capabilities; and that are attractive to birds, butterflies, and wildlife.
- Maintained by: Beacon Institute and volunteers
Cost Information
- Costs to design: Undisclosed
- Annual Operational & Maintenance required: Undisclosed
- Annual Operational & Maintenance Costs: Undisclosed
- Form of Payment for practice: Largely funded by a grant from NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program
Contact for Additional Site Information:
Web Site: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries (see Links Leaving DEC's Website)
Email: info@bire.org
Phone: (845)838-1600
