Executive Summary
Rain garden maintenance – Early Fall 2026: Record-setting rainfall and stormwater runoff across Columbus led to the accumulation of weeds, trash and debris in our rain garden basins. This accumulation shows basins function as designed, removing pollutants from our rivers and streams. Contractors are currently removing those items, ahead of planned mulching, pruning and replanting of the basins as necessary this fall. All Blueprint rain gardens continue to receive monthly maintenance. You can learn more about the maintenance program HERE
From 2016 to 2023, Ohio State performed water quality monitoring for Blueprint Columbus within the Clintonville 1 project area to determine the effectiveness of Blueprint’s core goal to decrease total suspended solids (TSS) loads by 20 percent from stormwater before it enters our rivers.
From 2017 to 2021, Columbus implemented infrastructure improvements in a rolling fashion: green infrastructure, sanitary sewer lateral lining/downspout redirections and sump pump installations, occurring over approximately three years.
Ohio State completed the report in 2024.
Hydrology and Water Quality
Blueprint Columbus Monitoring
Written for the City of Columbus, Ohio
March 27, 2024
To evaluate the holistic impacts of the Blueprint Columbus Project, stormwater runoff was monitored from July 2016 to October 2023 from three treatment sewersheds (Blenheim, Indian Springs, and Cooke-Glenmont) and a control sewershed (Beechwold) in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus.
Questions about our goals, or the process to achieve them? Check out our FAQ, or contact our Outreach Team now!