The Legion pond and dam in eastern Chapel Hill will be demolished and converted into a constructed wetland, city officials said. PHOTO BY SUSAN KELLY
Chapel Hill plans to convert the three-acre Legion Pond to a constructed wetland. This will happen prior to the start of affordable housing construction. A city park is proposed on the remaining Legion property off Legion Road in eastern Chapel Hill. That means removing both the pond and dam.
Tetra Tech, an engineering firm in RTP, studied the site and issued a report, saying the pond must be adjusted for safety reasons. Best stormwater management practices say remove the dam and trees and replace them with either a new smaller pond or a constructed wetland feature. They scored both options in terms of engineering, equity, environmental factors and the wetland was favored by a wide margin and meets most town interests, according to a May 31 city staff and engineering memo.
Specific cost figures were not mentioned in the 30-page assessment results. Tetra was paid $416,050 from the recent city budget. The town council allocated $540,000 for the project.
A constructed wetland is a stormwater control measure that provides a drainage system for stormwater runoff that often uses clay/gravel rootbeds to reduce sediment and features native plants, vegetation and fauna. It also will provide recreational opportunities for walking/hiking.
The next steps, the city said, call for Tetra to develop detailed design plans and permit applications for the Army Corps of Engineers and NCDEQ and a wildlife assessment this summer and fall. The process could take six months to a year, the town said. Then the pond would be demolished and wetland construction could begin in early/late 2025.
Earlier city estimates put removing the pond at $1M without any additional construction.
J.B.