CHENEY RUN WETLAND PROJECT
Delta Institute (Delta) partnered with the Michigan City Sanitary District (MCSD) and the Alliance for the Great Lakes to make stormwater, ecological restoration, and recreation improvements at Michigan City’s Cheney Run. A 40-acre site surrounded by wetlands, Cheney Run is a primary source of stormwater-related pollution that ends up in the Trail Creek, a major tributary that feeds into Lake Michigan. The partnership focused on implementing improvements that reduce the amount of pollution transferred from Cheney Run to Trail Creek, restoring the wetlands, and creating trails on site for residents.
The goals of the project included:
• Reducing urban runoff impairments through the design and installation of approximately five acres of constructed wetlands
• Capturing and treating 37.5 million gallons of stormwater annually
• Convening stakeholders in an authentic and inclusive dialog, to maximize community development project impact, achieve meaningful stewardship, seek opportunities for connectivity of wetlands to surrounding areas, attract community amenities, and align with regional plans.
• Expanding the scope and impact of the project, through procurement of additional resources and partnerships.
• Building local municipal and contractor capacity, through project implementation, coordination, and ongoing stewardship.
Stormwater management
Green Values Stormwater Calculator
Evaluate benefits of Green Infrastructure to prevent urban flooding. From the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
US EPA's national Stormwater Calculator
EPA's Tool to help control runoff and promote the natural movement of water
