At a Glance
Fusing ecological engineering and art, Biohabitats teamed with a local artist to develop a kinetic sculpture capable of pumping water to the top of the pier.
Project Description
The Inner Harbor of Baltimore has long been impaired by runoff from its watershed. A goal to clean the harbor to swimmable and fishable conditions by 2020 has been set by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and adopted by the mayor of Baltimore. Biohabitats has developed a suite of innovative ideas to improve water quality and habitat in the Harbor while increasing public awareness, engagement and participation. Among these ideas was a concept to convert Chase Pier, an unused, dilapidated pier in the Fells Point neighborhood, into an ecological and sculptural public attraction that cleans polluted Harbor water. The concept consists of a constructed wetland on the top of the pier that will filter bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants through uptake and conversion by plants and microorganisms.
Waterfalls around the edges of the pier will add oxygen to the water to create a better habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures as well as remove pollutants. Biohabitats was contracted to investigate the feasibility of making this concept a reality. A project team was assembled to evaluate the structural integrity of the pier and provide recommendations and costs for the necessary improvements to support the loads associated with the concept.