Stonebridge Apartments​

Located just off of 92nd Avenue in Portland, the Stonebridge Apartments were plagued by drainage issues. The Johnson Creek Watershed Council worked with the landowner to develop a plan that would help alleviate some of their flooding issues and protect Johnson Creek from harmful stormwater runoff.

In the midst of a wet spring, we implemented the first stormwater retrofit project at the Stonebridge Apartments. Over 50 volunteers, board members, and staff from JCWC, and Depave came together to remove pavement from sections of the parking lot.

The initial results have been exciting–the raingardens are already capturing stormwater runoff! Stonebridge has indicated they are interested in developing additional stormwater management on their property.

Storm drains in the parking lot were higher than the apartment buildings foundations. With the slope of the parking lot, and the volume of rain, the storm drains were often overwhelmed. The result was pooling and even flooding of the nearby buildings.
A large empty parking lot with a person using an asphalt cutting saw in the background
After working with the landowner to pick the best functional design for constructing rainwater gardens on the property, JCWC contracted with DePave to remove asphalt from the two sites. The first step was cutting the asphalt into pieces that could be more easily removed.
A group of about 50 people in an empty parking lot standing in a semicircle listening to a speaker listening to a
Our Volunteer Program Manager worked with our partners to wrangle up enough volunteers to make quick work of the depaving task.
For the rain garden next to the apartment building, we removed a strip of asphalt, about 4 feet wide, for the length of that section of the parking lot. Cars would still be able to park in those spaces – they would just park about 5 feet farther from the building.
A larger rain garden was designed for an area where the driveway was extra wide. No cars could park there – it was just open asphalt.
Depaving was a massive effort! Folks had to leverage up incredibly heavy squares of asphalt, and either lift them out or break them up.
The pieces of asphalt were loaded into wheelbarrows or onto dollys.
Then the asphalt was loaded into a trailer for hauling.
Maximizing the space and load in the trailer took a bit of maneuvering.
The smaller infiltration strip was designed to catch runoff otherwise headed towards the grassy area surrounding the buildings where it caused problems for residents.
Step 1: Depave. Step 2: Build the rain garden
We can accomplish a lot as a community!
Bare ground where rain garden plants will be planted is already capturing stormwater
After depaving, the soil was amended and timber blocks added to cordon off the stormwater treatment areas. On this rainy day, we were delighted to see the area already function to filter stormwater runoff!
Young person with shovel and potted plants to be planted in a muddy strip of soil near a parking lot
Planting native plants can be a messy job – especially when it’s wet and rainy. But it’s pretty fun!
Two people kneeling in the muddy bare soil planting native plants
We planted dozens of native plants to ensure the functionality of the rain garden and the infiltration strip near the apartment buildings. These plants will add stability and beauty!
Close up of a 2x2 foot square of asphalt being leveraged with bars
The planted infiltration strip or rain garden will provide a lovely, and valuable, garden for residents to enjoy.

  • Rain Gardens Completed at Stonebridge Apartments!

    On a rainy Saturday morning in December volunteers completed the final stage of implementation for a stormwater retrofit project at the Stonebridge Apartments, located off of 92nd and bordering Johnson Creek.

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  • Removing Pavement for a Cleaner Johnson Creek

    By Elizabeth Brosig, Restoration Project Manager This fall, JCWC partnered with Depave, a local nonprofit organization that specializes in removing pavement and empowering communities, to complete the first stage of […]

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  • Less pavement for a healthier Johnson Creek!

    Written by Monica Hescheles and Elizabeth Brosig In the midst of a wet spring, the weather was perfect for the first stage of implementation for a stormwater retrofit project at […]

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