Purdue University Leverages Green Infrastructure to Improve Stormwater Management and Open Space Networks

Continued growth at Purdue University has increased urgency on stormwater management surrounding planned development and existing priority spaces. The stormwater and open space study identifies stormwater problem areas and provides a framework for applying best management practices to alleviate issues and enhance the landscape character across campus.

Building on the 2009 Purdue University Campus-Wide Stormwater Plan, the Stormwater + Open Space Study summarizes various stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that may be implemented campus-wide. Initial goals of the study are to identify and reimagine open spaces that may reduce stormwater runoff entering the campus drainage system and provide co-benefits beyond stormwater management.  Additionally, developing an easily referenced document to utilize during early stages of capital improvement project development may help to outline further considerations for applying stormwater BMPs within various campus spaces. Strategically planning for stormwater improvement projects that further separate the Universities contributions to the combined sewer overflow support initiatives of the 2020-2024 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan. Implementing stormwater BMPs can leverage priority open space projects with functional and aesthetic value.

Harrison Hall Rain Garden (2023)

Building on the 2009 Purdue University Campus-Wide Stormwater Plan, the Stormwater + Open Space Study summarizes various stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that may be implemented campus-wide. Initial goals of the study are to identify and reimagine open spaces that may reduce stormwater runoff entering the campus drainage system and provide co-benefits beyond stormwater management. Additionally, developing an easily referenced document to utilize during early stages of capital improvement project development may help to outline further considerations for applying stormwater BMPs within various campus spaces. Strategically planning for stormwater improvement projects that further separate the Universities contributions to the combined sewer overflow support initiatives of the 2020-2024 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan. Implementing stormwater BMPs can leverage priority open space projects with functional and aesthetic value.

Left: The project study boundary from Purdue University Stormwater Model (Wessler Engineering 2023). Included in the study boundary are existing well-heads and accompanying well-head protection zone.

Right: Overwhelmed storm sewer links and above ground flooding were identified in the Purdue University Stormwater Model (Wessler Engineering 2023).

University owned drainage areas and additional property outlined in the Purdue University Stormwater Model (Wessler Engineering 2023) establish a boundary for which the existing stormwater infrastructure can be evaluated. The overlap of capital projects and open space priorities from the Giant Leaps Masterplan with stormwater problems identified on campus, allows us to define geographic focus areas. Focus areas highlight potential projects to solve the university’s stormwater problems as they work to build out their identified capital projects. This provides a multi-solution approach for applying BMPs at Purdue.

Multi-solution approach to identifying stormwater improvement focus areas.

Multi-solution approach to identifying stormwater improvement focus areas.

Determining the appropriate stormwater management system requires an understanding of existing characteristics of the landscape. Considering the various components, history, program, and environments of Purdue University’s landscape is imperative to the decision-making process. Building upon development characteristics defined in the Giant Leaps Master Plan and the Thematic Backbone from the 1869 Tree Plan, a framework for landscape character can be developed for the University. The Stormwater + Open Space Study defines campus-wide landscape themes known as typologies to further characterize campus spaces. Additionally, it establishes the spaces’ status as sacred or not. Using this framework, the University can make general character design decisions during the planning and development of campus spaces.

Left: Duhme Woods is considered a Native Landscape - natural in character; managed by natural processes or maintained to preserve the natural environment. These landscapes are in the undeveloped land around campus, and within the adapted woodland canopy that flows through Purdue’s densely developed spaces.

Right: Centennial Mall is considered an Urban Landscape - occurs in environments that have been interrupted and tailored to enhance the character and functionality of development. Conventional landscapes are located among many of Purdue’s buildings and open space developments.

Purdue University’s goals of connecting diverse landscapes, developing green corridors, and enhancing existing open spaces synthesized in a stormwater toolkit. The Stormwater BMP Kit of Parts emphasizes green stormwater infrastructure and advocates for multiple functional and aesthetic benefits for the campus environment.

The stormwater BMP kit of parts includes best management practices most appropriate for Purdue University. Recognizing the importance of matching the stormwater BMP with the stormwater need of the site, this tool organizes the selected stormwater BMPs based on their ability to meet stormwater management and open space goals throughout campus. Given the purpose of the kit of parts as a high-level planning and communication tool, the goals are general and include Reduce, Clean, Convey, and Enhance Habitat. Such an organization provides the University with an easily referenced selection tool when determining which BMP, or collection of BMPs, would be most appropriate for the stormwater management needs at a particular site. The stormwater needs for a site can be determined based on existing or ongoing stormwater analyses, requirements from the County Stormwater Ordinance, anecdotal evidence of stormwater challenges at the site, or other priorities determined by the University. Using this tool, the University can narrow the BMP selection to those that would be appropriate to meet the need of the site. Further refinement follows using the Stormwater BMPs and Landscape Typologies Matrix and BMP cutsheets. If it is determined that a particular BMP is not appropriate during further refinement, planners may reference back to this tool to determine an alternative BMP that may achieve the same goals. Considerations for determining the appropriateness for each landscape typology includes space constraints, programmatic uses, traditional surfacing, and aesthetics. Through this process, planners can further narrow the field of potential BMPs for a project and communicate how the selected BMP will not only meet the stormwater goals of the site but also fit within its context. The BMP types chosen included bioretention, rainwater harvesting and reuse, constructed wetlands, permeable pavement, landscape conversion, subsurface detention, subsurface infiltration, stormwater planters, riparian corridor enhancement, soil restoration, vegetated swale, infiltration berm, and downspout disconnect. 

Stormwater BMP cutsheets provide information on the function, application, design and maintenance considerations, components, and projected construction cost for the whole kit of parts.

With an understanding of the site’s particular stormwater and open space needs, the stormwater BMPs and landscape typologies matrix aids the University in selecting appropriate stormwater BMPs for the given site context.

Focus areas across Purdue University have been considered for BMP application to mitigate existing stormwater problems, provide guidance for University CSO goals, and to improve the campus open space network.

The Purdue Health and Life Sciences Mall is located south of State Street in and spans from the College of Agriculture into Discovery Park. This mall is considered a priority open space that helps promote the connectivity of open space in Purdue’s south campus. Adjacent to this mall is the future Nursing and Pharmacy Building site. This is a Capital Priority Project scheduled for development in the near-term horizon. There is opportunity to enhance the Health and Life Sciences Mall as well as the Nursing and Pharmacy building site to promote Purdue’s open space network and mitigate existing stormwater problems in the area.

Discovery Park Rain Garden (2023)

You can read more of the Purdue University Stormwater + Open Space Study, here.