The WallowAN ECOLOGICAL CLASSROOM

G. BRADY 1, E. MESKER 2, A. FIALA 3, S . JACKMAN 3, T. SWEHLA 3

1 M . S . B I O L O G I C A L S Y S T E M S E N G I N E E R I N G 2 M . S . C I V I L E N G I N E E R I N G 3 M . L A N D S A C P E A R C H I T E C T U R E

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Introduction & GoalsIntroductionLocated in the Flint Hills, Kansas State University lies in the most endangered ecosystem in the world – the tallgrass prairie.

Site selection includes the Acket/Chalmers Hall nonnative lawn that requires pesticides, fertilizer, irrigation, and mowing.

GoalsThis will increase native tallgrass prairie habitat, improve water quality and quantity affecting Campus Creek, and provide educational and research amenities for all ages.

Tallgrass Prairie

Ackert/Chalmers

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Campus CreekConnectionsCampus Creek is a continuously urbanizing watershed covering 400 acres in the heart of campus. It’s plagued with an undersized stormwater network and an incised flashy channel with eroding banks and exceeding pollutant levels.

Green InfrastructureK-State’s Stormwater Master Plan suggests $1.7 million in projects to upsize the system including part of the network that touches The Wallow.

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H & H

1yr, 24 hr storm Water Treated Runoff

Current 2,100 ft3 8,600 ft3

Proposed 6,600 ft3 7,900 ft3

% Change 210% 17%

First, parking lot runoff traditionally running straight to stormwater drains will be intercepted into a 10,000 gal baffle box for pretreatment. Next, it will run through a series of three systems of overtopping wallows to existing drains within the Ackert/Chalmers lawns. These systems are detailed on the next page.

This site’s performance was analyzed using WinTR-55 watershed model and changes include:

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Storage & Drainage

7in infiltratesin 48 hours

Roots grow 6-12 ft deep

0.7in of ETin 48 hours

Overflow pipe tostormwater network

Baffle Box

Wallow Train

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Plants with PurposePollutant Wallow & BioswaleRemediates parking lot pollutants

Pollinator WallowProvides Monarch Butterfly habitat

Amphitheater WallowRestores a natural bison wallow

Native American WallowGrows culturally significant plants

Plants were thoughtfully selected for their enhanced ecosystem services. For example, did you know Big bluestem can increase infiltration by up to 480%?

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ManagementManagementLearning from the well documented “Meadow” prairie restoration on campus, this site will need to be heavily weeded and irrigated until native species are well developed (about 1-3 years). Annual drain inspections and baffle box vacuuming will be conducted.

BurningWith K-State’s experienced staff who burns the 13.5mi2 Konza Prairie natural reserve, this site will be burned with the porous pavement acting as a break to protect Chalmers Hall.

Annual burns

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EducationA limestone amphitheater hosts 30 student classes and is accessible by an ADA compliant porous pavement trail. Located adjacent to Biology as well as a 5min walk from engineering, horticulture, and landscape architecture this site will be an outdoor classroom. Additionally, a QR code tour can guide any of the 800 students who pass this site every passing period.

ResearchLong-term research will be conducted to increase regional knowledge of prairie stormwater systems.

Education & Research

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Costs & FundingCategory Cost

Baffle Box 2,000

Earthwork 8,400

Wallow Plants 600

Patio & Pathway 26,000

Decks & Bridges 7,000

Amphitheater 600

$44,600

MaterialsLow impact development materials including composite wood, and porous pavement are used throughout the patios, paths, and bridges. Limestone on site will be reused for amphitheater seating.

FundingThe Kansas Department of Health & Environment’s clean water neighbor program can fund up to 40% of costs and K-State’s $10,000 Green Action Fund will be utilized. This leaves only $16,800 cost up to the university.

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ConclusionThis highly visible ecological classroom is centrally located to interested departments and alleviates water quantity and quality issues affecting Campus Creek. This prairie based green infrastructure is a demonstration for K-State’s future master planning and campus expansions.

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