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Upper Ridgewood Basin Improvements Project

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Regional Stormwater Management Program addresses water quality, flooding, and erosion issues throughout our service area, which includes the City of Parma. As part of the program, the Sewer District is reducing flooding in the neighborhoods downstream of this Upper Ridgewood Basin.

Upper Ridgewood basin was formed about a century ago when the decision was made to restrict the flow of Big Creek and create a recreational pond. Since then, development has increased hard surfaces and stormwater runoff, leading to significant flooding. In recent years, rainfall patterns have intensified, exacerbating flooding problems as well.

The Upper Ridgewood Basin project, completed in 2024, features the following enhancements:

  • During rainstorms, the basin fills with water and slowly releases it.
  • Additional trees and robust native plants provide color around the basin throughout the year.
  • Structures remove sediment and regular maintenance of the basin includes sediment removal.
  • Permanent pools at the bottom of the basin provide significantly more space to hold stormwater.
  • Reduction of flooding by 40% in the neighborhood, based on our latest engineering models. Prior to this basin being activated on the regional stormwater system, about 150 houses, garages and other structures were flooded during heavy rain events.
  • An ADA-accessible path wraps around the basin from Ridgewood Lakes Drive, south to the splashpad and east to the gazebo.

Construction cost was approximately $3.4 million.

Concept and rendering

Posted February 10, 2022 / Updated February 22, 2022

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If you would like to stay informed, please email Watershed Team Leader Nicole Velez.

This is a Regional Stormwater Management Program #FeaturedProject.