Watch the rehabbed Linnean stream in a rainstorm

The newly rehabilitated Linnean stream is fed by a storm sewer that collects rainwater from 24 acres of nearby streets, rooftops, sidewalks and alleys. So when it rains, it literally pours.

The Linnean stream was rehabbed to slow the flow of stormwater, reduce erosion and filter pollutants out of the water that continues on to Broad Branch and Rock Creek.

Keith Pivonski of Underwood Associates, the contractor for the Linnean and Broad Branch Stream reconstructions, set up a camera to capture storm events at the Linnean stream. The camera was set to snap a photo every 30 seconds.

And the storm a week ago, on Wednesday, October 22nd, provided a great opportunity. Steve Saari, project head with the District Department of the Environment, reports: “That day we got 2.25 inches of rain. The first inch and a bit came in one burst, then there were showers which totaled another half inch or so for a few hours and then a final burst of one-half inch.”

Pivonski edited the time-lapse video below. You’ll see him, Saari and Keith Underwood appear at times in rain gear as they monitor the performance of the stream.