When Coe decided to expand the Eby athletic complex, it was immediately evident that the college would need new parking to replace that which would be lost. As it turned out, the timing coincided with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Urban Water Quality Demonstration Project grant competition. Coe's project was selected for funding in January of 2016, and construction began in May. (See the IDALS press release and Cedar Rapids Gazette coverage.)
The primary impact of this project will be on Cedar Lake. Storm water from Coe drains directly to Cedar Lake, where it contributes to siltation which is rapidly reducing the lake’s capacity to accommodate storm flows. There is also significant interest in enhancing the recreational opportunities at the lake, including fishing and kayaking, so efforts to improve the lake’s water quality are particularly timely. Clearly, reducing storm water flow, and the resulting silt, nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons, and bacteria, will benefit the lake. We anticipate that implementation of this permeable parking lot will result in the diversion of over three quarters of a million gallons per year (based on area and Iowa’s average annual precipitation).
Funding provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Linn County Soil and Water Conservation District.