Aksarben/Elmwood Park Stormwater Diversion -

Omaha, NE

The Elmwood Park Stormwater Diversion is the green infrastructure component of the Aksarben / Elmwood Park sewer separation project. The project uses a series of weirs and bioretention gardens to cleanse stormwater from the Aksarben neighborhood prior to being released into a natural creek. It improved biodiversity within Elmwood Park by reintroducing native plant species, and significantly reduced the cost of the sewer separation project.

Water diverted from the upper 26 acres of the watershed flows down a natural ravine through a series of colored concrete weirs. The weirs control the water speed and reduce its energy. Between the weirs are bioretention gardens, containing native grasses and wildflowers that help cleanse the water and whose deep roots improve infiltration within the gardens. Stormwater in each garden soaks into the soil, recharging groundwater. Water reaching Elmwood Park Creek it is cleaner and cooler, benefitting the creek’s water quality.

The use of several BMPs in this green infrastructure project also saved part of the neighborhood from months-long disruptions associated with removal and replacement of eight blocks of streets. This approach resulted in a net savings of $500,000, compared to a traditional gray infrastructure solution.

The project is the recipient of Omaha By Design’s 2014 Green Leaf Award, which recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metro area’s natural setting and public park system.

Omaha By Design
Green Leaf Award, 2014