Table Rock Lake Stormwater Planning & Demonstration

From 2011 to 2014, H2Ozarks organized demonstrations of stormwater management and low-impact development (LID) solutions to the communities around Table Rock Lake. With increasing development and growth in the area, there are more impervious surfaces like roads, rooftops, and parking lots that increase stormwater runoff. This runoff carries pollutants like oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides, pet waste, and nutrients into local streams and Table Rock Lake, increasing the risk of water quality degradation. Additionally, the region’s shallow, rocky, and clay-heavy soil heightens its vulnerability to both surface and groundwater contamination.

To address this, we partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to introduce and demonstrate a variety of LID practices that are designed to slow runoff and filter out pollutants before they reach the lake. Demonstrations included vegetated swales, bioretention basins, terracing with native plants and stone, and a major demonstration site at the Kimberling Center featuring pervious interlocking concrete pavers (PICP). These demonstrations helped educate the public about the benefits of LID and how it can create both visually appealing and functional upgrades to outdated infrastructure.

This project was made possible with the great collaboration of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, particularly their Water Protection Project Managers and other dedicated staff.