Kismet Basin

Kismet Basin Stabilization Project

Background

Heavy rain cycles between 1985 to 1996 led to flooding of properties and roads near Kismet Basin (a landlocked basin). Kismet Lane North and some driveways were raised, but problems persisted, and in 1996, eight driveways, basements, wellheads, and septic systems flooded. The Kismet Basin Stabilization Project was first proposed in 1997 when the county was acting as the watershed district after the dissolution of the Brown’s Creek Watershed Management Organization after being deemed ineffective. In October 1997, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District was formed with the task of resolving the Kismet Basin flooding issue. In early 2001, the BCWD worked with EOR to investigate possible solutions, and after the design was approved, construction began in late 2001 to provide a surface water outlet from Kismet Basin to Brown’s Creek.

Project Details

The project included constructing a linear wetland system within an existing drainage way to stabilize water levels and minimize the outflow and impact of discharge from Kismet Basin to Brown’s Creek. The wetlands constructed as part of this project were designed to serve multiple purposes including to:

• Protect water quality by filtering sediments
• Promote groundwater recharge through infiltration
• Capture and store stormwater
• Protect base flows to Brown’s Creek
• Provide and protect fish and wildlife habitat

Detailed planning for the project began in early 2001, including the land survey and working with impacted landowners on easement negotiations. Construction began in late fall 2001 and was completed in 2002 by Jay Bros., Inc. To construct the wetlands, existing wetlands were excavated and expanded, and low, earthen berms were created to pond water within sloping drainage ways. Seeding and plantings of grasses and forbs helped to establish wetland vegetation.