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The Sheboygan Water Utility retained Donohue to design water storage reservoirs and a booster pumping station. Two reservoirs, each with 3 million gallons of storage capacity, were included in the project. The reservoirs are approximately 95 feet in diameter and 55 feet tall.
The site selected for the new facilities is situated on a narrow tract of land (2.2 acres) surrounded by established residences to the east, I-43 to the west, STH 23 to the north, and the start of a 17-mile multi-use trail to the south. Donohue was challenged with designing the facilities to fit within the confines of the site while minimizing the environmental impact and incorporating architectural elements of historic Taylor Hill Reservoir located a short distance away.
Donohue used Sustainable Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address drainage issues on the site. The goal was to minimize the impact of development on the environment and downstream watershed. The BMPs that Donohue used during design include:
Treat water as a resource, not a waste product. The site does not have stormwater retention ponds or maintenance-intensive grass; rather, natural vegetation—native prairie mix on shallow sections and wet detention mix on deeper sections—are used to collect stormwater runoff and promote infiltration, which helps protect a nearby trout stream.
Mimic or replicate the site’s natural hydrology. Natural drainage areas are located on the western side of the site. deliberate site design directed stormwater flow to this area.
Address issues of water quality, quantity, and amenity. Prior to this project, the 100-year, 24-hour flow for on- and off-site flows on the site was 6.13 cubic feet/second (cfs). Following the improvements, this level decreased to 2.01 cfs.
Accommodate the standards and expectations of the local community. This project was required to comply with the newly-adopted City of Sheboygan stormwater ordinance. This ordinance requires 40% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) reduction for “infill” areas, 80% TSS reduction for new development, peak flow reduction, and infiltration if suitable soils are present.
Stormwater management is an important aspect of sustainable design. Improved infiltration and drainage prevents runoff, which often carries pollutants and erodes stream beds or other natural features. Implementing Best Management Practices allows engineers to design and build necessary infrastructure while reducing harm to the local ecology.
The project received an ACEC Wisconsin Engineering Excellence State Finalist award.
“The engineering firm of Donohue & Associates worked closely with us to achieve and surpass all of our goals, resulting in a project of true excellence, and one that reminds all passersby of the importance of civil engineering.”
Joe Trueblood, PE, Superintendent
Sheboygan Water Utility
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