Baughman Watershed Improvement
Lima, Ohio
THE PLAN
The Baughman Watershed Improvements project was designed to enhance stormwater management and watershed performance in Allen County through the construction of new wetland basins and expanded stormwater storage. The plan focused on increasing drainage capacity, improving runoff control from a large contributing watershed, and delivering long-term environmental and infrastructure benefits.
THE WORK
Construction was completed between June and August 2023 and included the creation of three wetland basins totaling approximately 13 acres of wetland area, along with 20 acres of additional stormwater storage. The wetlands collectively manage runoff from approximately 690 acres of drainage area, requiring associated storm sewer improvements as part of the contract.
More than 226,000 cubic yards of material were excavated across the 54-acre site. While the original plan required excess material to be hauled off-site, VTF utilized in-house design and modeling to coordinate placement and grading on neighboring properties. This eliminated off-site hauling, reducing carbon footprint impact of project, reduced project risk, and helped maintain schedule certainty.
THE RESULTS
The project was completed on time and delivered improved drainage capacity, enhanced stormwater control, and long-term watershed performance for the surrounding area. By optimizing material management and leveraging internal capabilities, VTF reduced costs, minimized weather-related delays, and delivered a high-quality public infrastructure project for Allen County.
Project Highlights
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Contracted Value: $2.2 million
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Wetland Construction: 3 basins totaling 13 acres
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Stormwater Storage: 20 additional acres
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Drainage Area Served: ~690 acres
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Earthwork: 226,400 CY excavated
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Storm Sewer: 760 LF with 9 structures
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Site Size: 54 acres
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Crew Size: 5–6 personnel
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Equipment: Tractor & pan, dozer, excavator
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Safety: Zero incidents with daily safety briefings
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Technology: GPS-guided precision grading
START DATE: Jul 2023
COMPLETION DATE: Aug 2023
