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ForestParkL I N E A R C O N N E C T E D W A T E R W A Y S Y S T E M

IntroductionThe main waterbody through the park, River des Peres,

was temporarily moved underground for the 1904

World’s Fair to provide more open space for the World’s

Fair and to reduce the likelihood of flooding. By 1930,

two permanent 32-foot horseshoe shaped tunnels

were constructed to house the River des Peres, leaving

behind lakes and lagoons with no hydraulic connection

to each other or the River. The lakes and lagoons

contributed to a new flooding problem during heavy

rains. Surface runoff in the park now had nowhere to

go other than the depressional areas, lakes, and lagoons.

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

AQUATIC VEGETATION MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

GROUND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

AQUATIC VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (con t . ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Map of Forest Park before the World’s Fair

Contents

Map of Forest Park after the World’s Fair

Algae and water primrose growth have been observed

in extreme quantities throughout the LCWS. Duckweeds

and watermeal, cattails and water lily have also been

observed at specific locations within the LCWS system.

These plants should be monitored, but specific control

activities should not be performed without further

discussion with natural resource professionals.

There are several control methods for managing

excessive aquatic vegetation. These include

biological, mechanical/ physical, chemical, and

cultural control practices.

Additional Plants to Observe: Alligatorweed,Coontail,

Eurasian Watermilfoil, Hydrilla, Pickerelweed, Purple

Loosestrife, Sago Pondweed, Water Hyacinth, Water

Lettuce, and Wild Rice.

Cattail

Duckweed and Watermeal

Water Primrose

Water Lily

2 3

During the master plan and schematic design phase,

the project team recognized that the vanished

surface of the River des Peres and its surrounding

bottomlands, bluffs, and upland areas historically

defined the park’s spatial character. They then

evaluated ways to transform the parks many lakes

and lagoons into one continuous river in order to

improve water quality, eliminate flooding, support

wildlife, and to support fishing. This river system was

called the Linear Connected Waterway System (LCWS).

A design team consisting of architects, the public, and

park staff, worked to determine how the waterbody

would look and function during ordinary, drought,

and flood conditions.

Aquatic Vegetation ManagementSeveral types of nuisance aquatic vegetation have been

observed in the Forest Park Linear Connected Waterway

System (LCWS). Although a moderate amount of water

plants is beneficial, excessive vegetation (over 20%

water surface or bottom coverage) should be controlled.

INSPECT/CLEAN WATER FEATURES Use Inspection Forms provided in Section 6

✓ Remove trash/litter/vegetative debris.

✓ Check drains/overflows for clear egress.

✓ Check Debris Collectors on north side of Grand Basin and remove collected debris.

✓ Inspect areas for erosion.

✓ Inspect rock features for scour or distress.

✓ Inspect water for sediment build-up and organic material.

✓ Remove large amounts of organic matter from mowing and clipping.

✓ Remove gross amounts of leaves if creating problem.

✓ Note turbid or muddy water, algal blooms, or other aesthetically undesirable conditions.

✓ Note excessive plant growth within water system.

✓ Observe mowing practices along edge of water system.

SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION (YEARLY)✓ Measure depth to sediment at predetermined locations.

✓ Evaluate results and remove excess sediment as appropriate.

ANIMAL ACTIVITY (MONTHLY)✓ Monitor animal activity and impact on water system.

✓ Implement Best Management Practices as appropriate.

WATER INPUTS (MONTHLY)✓ Track water inputs monthly and as input is adjusted.

✓ Ordinary input conditions provided in Table W-1.

POLLUTANT LOAD ASSESSMENT MODEL✓ Update monthly

AQUATIC VEGETATIVE MAINTENACE✓ Monitor for invasive species, spread of plants that had previously not been considered a problem, and plants that had not been observed before.

✓ Treat nuisance aquatic vegetation as appropriate.

✓ Monitor for presence of algae.

✓ Treat algal blooms as appropriate.

STORM EVENT SAMPLING (PERIODIC)✓ Perform for calibration of Water Quality Model during Spring 2005 and every other year therafter.

✓ Collect stormwater samples from six identified sampling locations within 48 hours of beginning of storm event; samples should be collected from at least five storm events.

✓ Take field measurements for turbidity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

✓ Collect samples and submit samples to an offsite laboratory for fecal colliform, ammonia, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolve orthophosphate, BOD (5-day), total suspended solids, dissolved metals, and hardness.

WATER QUALITY SAMPLING (MONTHLY)✓ Perform monthly at five identified sampling locations to evaluate the health of the water system.

✓ Take field measurements for turbidity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

✓ Collect samples and submit to an offsite laboratory for total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, and total alkalinity.

✓ Review results.

WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS (MONTHLY)✓ Measure water depth at predetermined locations.

✓ Adjust water inputs as necessary to maintain desired water depths.

Map of Forest Park Waterway System Today

Ground Maintenance Operations Manual

Algae

❖ Pollution prevention and minimization (source control)

❖ Higher grasses in riparian areas

❖ Create no-mowing-rough vegetation areas on steeper banks (3:1 slope or steeper)- grasses and low shrubs

❖ Wetland plantings along edges and in shallows of watercourses

❖ Soil testing to determine when and where to fertilize

❖ Public education

❖ Educate ALL park staff (including those with private companies, such as boathouse staff and golf course personnel) about proper management practices

❖ Provide pet play areas

❖ Train staff to manage emergency spills

❖ Splash pads and riprap at eroding pipe ends

❖ Catch basins where needed to trap large amounts of sediment

❖ Manage soil compaction by deep plowing and replanting high use areas

❖ Dredge water bodies when needed

❖ Chemical treatment of the system

❖ Shading with black plastic

❖ Weeding, manual removal of nuisance vegetation

❖ Deepening pond edge where problem occurs

❖ Draw down the pond to freeze nuisance vegetation over the winter

W AT E R S Y S T E M M A I N T E N A N C E C H E C K L I S T

B E S T M A N A G E M E N T P R A C T I C E S