Urban Arteries Reimagined: Culver Boulevard Median Stormwater Capture
The Challenge
In the heart of Culver City, LA, the city faced a critical challenge: how to transform the narrow strip of land that is the Culver Boulevard median into an ally in the fight against urban runoff pollution. With Ballona Creek - a vital waterway in the Los Angeles basin - at stake, the pressure was on to design a solution that could effectively capture and treat stormwater from the surrounding urban landscape.
Our Approach
We’re driven to reimagine what’s possible when it comes to stormwater management, and we often start by looking at underutilized spaces such as urban medians. The force that underlines all our work is making sure that any transformation is in harmony with both city life and natural processes.
Here's how we're revolutionizing the Culver Boulevard median:
Comprehensive Site Analysis: We began by characterizing existing utilities, geotechnical conditions, and water quality in order to understand the complete urban ecosystem.
Data-Driven Optimization: Our engineers conducted water quality hydraulic modeling and ran optimization scenarios to determine the most effective BMP size.
Innovative Underground Design: We recommended a 10-foot high underground storage reservoir with an 8 acre-foot volume.
Strategic Diversion: By implementing gravity diversions from two major drains, we worked on intercepting urban runoff at its source.
Advanced Treatment: With a 5.76 cfs maximum discharge rate and filtration system, we're ensuring that water returned to the Harter Ave drain is cleaner than when it entered.
Key Takeaways
Innovative use of space: Transforming an urban median into a stormwater powerhouse
Data-driven design: Using optimization analysis for cost-effective, high-performance solutions
Significant impact: Contributing substantially to pollutant reduction initiatives in the EWMP
Multifunctional infrastructure: Addressing water quality while maintaining urban aesthetics
Long-term vision: Designing for sustained pollutant reduction and watershed health
Project Highlights
Our optimized system includes:
8 acre-foot underground storage reservoir
25 cfs gravity diversion from Harter Ave drain
25 cfs gravity diversion from Sepulveda Boulevard drain
5.76 cfs maximum discharge rate with filtration
Long-term pollutant reduction targeting key compliance metrics
This project demonstrates how urban infrastructure can be reimagined to play a crucial role in environmental stewardship, ushering in a new era of multifunctional urban design.