LID Feasibility, Design, and Implementation at Cape Lookout National Seashore

The grounds surrounding the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center provide little stormwater runoff treatment as they are currently configured. Because both facilities are immediately adjacent to Core Sound and Back Sound, any pollutants that fall on the grounds, particularly on impermeable surfaces, can easily migrate to sensitive waters. Also, as thousands of visitors pass through the National Park Service property each year, there is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate low impact development practices to reduce the amount of runoff, and its associated pollutants, entering the sounds. Faculty and students from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at NC State University evaluated the site for potential best management practices. They identified 13 potential retrofits for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and the Cape Lookout Visitor Center including water harvesting, rain gardens, and permeable pavement. Design elements including a cost estimate for each potential BMP has been developed for future use by the visitor center and the museum. Detailed designs were completed for five of the identified BMP's including two rain gardens, a water harvesting system, and permeable pavement. Three of the BMP's were installed: one at the Cape Fear Visitor Center and two at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. An 7.5 m² (80 ft²) rain garden was constructed that treats the runoff from a rooftop at the museum. A 5,678 L (1,500 gal) cistern was installed that captures runoff from 70 m² (750 ft²) of rooftop at the museum. The harvested water will be used to irrigate the landscaping at the museum. Runoff from the rooftop at the Cape Lookout Visitor Center will be treated in a rain garden located near the entrance. Each of the practices will improve the quality of the stormwater leaving the site while serving to educate the public about using low impact development to treat stormwater runoff.