Jenkins Arboretum

The mission of Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is to preserve natural tranquil woodlands for community enjoyment, to showcase native plants and a world class collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, and to promote environmental horticulture through learning, research and conservation.

Stormwater runoff from large off-site areas that flow onto the arboretum’s property have contributed to significant flooding and erosion, especially along the stream channel. The arboretum engaged Meliora to develop recommendations, informed by hydrologic analysis, to address stormwater and stream erosion problems while providing amenities for community education and visitor experiences.

Stormwater design recommendations included a subsurface stormwater storage bed, a series of infiltration berms along the hillside above one of the site’s historic houses, and a rain garden and infiltration bed to manage stormwater from impervious surfaces.

The recommendations for the restoration and stabilization of 1,390 linear feet of stream promote a variety of practices to reduce damaging flows within the channel. Among them are grading and riparian plantings, imbricated rip rap walls, step pools, cross vanes, and tree rock packs to protect select trees.

To read what Jenkins Arboretum Executive Director Tom Smarr had to say about this project in the Summer + Fall 2022 newsletter, click here.