The Tryon Creek Watershed covers over 4,000 acres in Southwest Portland. Water quality in the watershed is a significant challenge, as urban runoff carries pollutants to the creek and high runoff volume and velocities erode stream banks. Green infrastructure approaches, like trees and bioswales, can be integrated into the design of a street or parking lot to reduce the impacts this runoff has on surrounding stream conditions.

Environmental Services, Portland Parks and Recreation, and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. worked together to address stormwater runoff issues at the Multnomah Arts Center, whose lower parking lot is at the headwaters of Tryon Creek. Last week, three bioswales were installed to filter and slow stormwater from the parking lot before it gets to the creek, and vegetation in the lot will absorb rainwater and keep the area cooler. 

Multnomah Arts Center - lower parking lot (Before)

Multnomah Arts Center - lower parking lot (After)