• Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Plant Database
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Board of Trustees Login

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Become a Member Donate
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Trails and Maps
  • Programs and Events
  • Learn
  • Get Involved
You are here: Home / Conservation Leadership / Construction on Bernheim’s Emergency Spillway Complete

October 1, 2020 by bernheim

Construction on Bernheim’s Emergency Spillway Complete

Throughout late 2019 and early 2020, Bernheim was hard at work on a new state-mandated Lake Nevin emergency spillway. Now complete, the new spillway is equipped to retain 26 inches of rain in a six-hour period. The spillway is designed to absorb water that would otherwise rise above and over the existing dam, keeping the dam from a catastrophic breach, ensuring the safety of our neighboring residents. The project increases resiliency against climate change, by addressing changes in severity of weather and other natural events.

Because we are committed to being a leader in ecological stewardship, we took steps to not only meet the requirements of the Kentucky Department of Water, but we also looked for ways to have less impact on our environment throughout the construction process.

Throughout the project, we removed nearly 40,000 cubic yards pounds of dirt from the northeast corner of Lake Nevin. All of it remained on site for reuse in other projects, including the new play space, Playcosystem, which is currently under construction across from the Visitor Center.

Once construction was complete, we were left with bare land that we could replant any way we chose. Instead of simply replacing the grass, we planted nearly forty varieties of wildflowers, including several varieties of sunflowers and coneflowers, native grasses, and more. These plants provide habitat for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators whose habitats are increasingly endangered each year, but whose very existence is vital for human food sources. Wildflowers also require less water and maintenance than grass, saving resources like water and fuel in that section of our arboretum.

Now that Lake Nevin Loop has reopened, we hope you’ll come out, take a stroll, and watch the natural regrowth process unfold before your eyes. Over the course of the next few years, you can find inspiration for your home garden.

Filed Under: Conservation Leadership

  • Let There Be Light, George Grey Bernard

Thank you to our Corporate Partners!


Thank you to our Corporate Partners!

  • Patagonia
  • GE Appliances
  • Beam Suntory
  • Westrock
  • Quest Outdoors
  • Luckett & Farley
  • Delta Dental KY
  • WMB
  • Brown Forman

Sign up for our newsletter

  • Sign up and receive special information about our programs and events.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

FOLLOW US

Copyright © 2019 Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest    |   Bernheim is an Arbnet level 4 certified garden
Privacy Policy | Policies and Guidelines | Research | Press Room  | Site Map

Forest Hill Drive and Guerilla Hollow trails are closed on Friday, January 27 due to high winds. The Arboretum, including the Visitor Center, Playcosystem, and the Forest Giants Trail, will remain open.