MAD SCIENTIST ASSOCIATES PROJECTS
Burntwood-Langenkamp
This project was designed as a passive treatment wetland system, pulling water from Burntwood Creek during storm events and through a pump. Water passes through an 8-foot-deep sedimentation/stilling basin to remove suspended solids before feeding into a wide, sinuous wetland flow path formed by subtle contouring and the strategic addition of low berms. This meandering flow path routes water through over a mile of densely-vegetated emergent marsh and adjoining wet meadow communities at higher elevations.
The system discharges into Coldwater Creek at the north end of this flow path. Based on studies performed by Wright State University, the wetland has shown to improve water quality through the removal of excess nutrients. It also provides important habitat for resident and migratory wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities for the region.
Cuyahoga Headwaters Wetland Restoration & Creation
This in-lieu fee funded project spans 40 acres within the headwater region of the Cuyahoga River Watershed in Geauga County. The gently-rolling land was historically farmed (pasture and row crops) but maintained hydric soil properties. A series of wetland depressions and swales were created to maximize wetland acreage while minimizing the need for artificial berms. Construction and planting were completed in late-2022 and early-2023 and resulted in the creation of a forested vernal pool complex with sufficient upland buffer to support pool-breeding amphibians.
Sandhill Crane Wetlands Restoration
This 286-acre restoration project, the Sandhill Crane Wetlands, is a recent addition to The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in Lucas County, Ohio. Project goals included decommissioning pumps that were artificially draining the land while in agricultural production, creation of shallow wetland depressions (scrapes) and dunes to mimic natural topographic formations still present to the north and south of the project area, and re-establishing wet prairie vegetation endemic to the Oak Openings Region. Planting was coordinated by TNC in cooperation with Metroparks Toledo. This wetland restoration project is now open to the public and has been noted as a birding hot spot.
Highlands Park Wetland Restoration & Enhancement
As part of a whole park improvement, the City of Westerville acquired an Ohio EPA Section 319 grant to enhance and expand the existing 2-acre stormwater-fed cattail marsh onsite. The design prioritized the construction of a meandering flow path with a forebay and mixed-depth pools to maximize water residence time for sediment deposition and nutrient processing, creating upland islands to increase habitat heterogeneity, controlling invasive species, establishing a mosaic of plant communities ranging from emergent marsh to mesic prairie, and creating a nature–play area for hands-on and unstructured exploration. This project was completed in 2012-2013. Annual monitoring, maintenance, and educational programming occurs to this day. It is a natural attraction within the City, drawing neighborhood residents, school groups, artists, summer camps, and nature enthusiasts.
