In accordance with the US Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit and Nevada Department of Environmental Protection 401 Water Quality Certification, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) began construction of three water quality improvement basins concurrent with the U.S. 395 Highway extension project in Washoe County, Nevada. Mitigation objectives included water quality impact mitigation, site stability, improved aesthetics, wetland creation through sinuous flow with slow flow pools, a varied wetted zone for layered habitat development, and nutrient uptake by vegetation. NDOT contracted with Wood Rodgers’ wetland specialist to employ a multi-disciplinary approach to design, revegetation and field-directed grading to design and construct the basins.

In accordance with permitting requirements, NDOT has monitored targeted water equality parameters and site stability. Nitrate, phosphorous and bacteria have shown marked improvement from pre-construction to post construction levels. Plant materials have matured to provide long-term stabilization, water quality improvement, and habitat benefits.