Stream Restoration in Ault Park
MSD — in partnership with the Cincinnati Park Board and Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District — completed its first large-scale stream restoration (daylighting) project in Ault Park in 2014.
This green solution eliminates an estimated 17 million gallons of sewer overflows a year into adjacent Duck Creek (during a typical year of rain)and improves local water quality and aquatic habitat.
Green solutions use natural systems to delay or prevent stormwater from reaching combined sewers, thus reducing overflows.
Before and After Images
Before: Exposed sewer and manholoe along stream bed.
Before: Exposed sewer along the stream bed.
After: Restored Stream
After: Restored with step pool.
View the Stream in Action
In the News (links to news sites)
WLWT Channel 5, July 13, 2012
Aquatic Habitat Survey
The Cincinnati Park Board and Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District helped capture and relocate salamanders and other aquatic organisms (e.g., crayfish, scuds) from the Valley Trail creek prior to the start of construction. This initiative was part of a biological survey to measure the baseline health of the waterway.
The agencies will sponsor follow-up biological surveys to gauge improvements to aquatic habitat.
Project Funding
A portion of this project was funded using a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments about the Ault Park stream restoration project, please contact the MSD Engineering Customer Service Line at (513) 557-3594 or email us at MSD.Communications@cincinnati-oh.gov.