Specialized or small applications are particularly good candidates for this kind of engineering, although large scale projects are often successful as well. By inserting a small wetland into the space between the drain and creek, potential contamination of the creek is avoided. Here's what the site looked like during it's first spring, 1996. In 1997, you can see the wetland is much more mature. Plants in wetlands perform many cleansing functions.
Microbes associated with plant roots also perform transformations.
Monitoring of the wetland functions is ongoing to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. Creating a habitat appealing to wildlife, and establishing a variety of quality plant materials are also goals which have been set for the site. The wetland can be crossed, and observed from a fully accessible trail. Development, planting, and interpretation of the site will continue over the course of the next several years. Right now things are frozen, but in the spring it will be exciting to see what comes to life with each new week.