The MSD Stormwater Best Management Guide is a collaborative project between the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve and Grow Native!

In recent years interest has increased in the use of innovative methods to retain and treat stormwater. These methods, often called stormwater best management practices (BMPs), rely on natural processes, such as microbial activity, filtration, infiltration, denitrification, nutrient reduction and evapotranspiration, to attain water quality and water quantity goals. Although technical information is available on the design of many types of stormwater best management practices, less information is available on plant species appropriate for these systems. This guide has been developed to assist designers through the process of selecting and planting native plant species appropriate for a variety of stormwater best management practices in St. Louis, Missouri.

Landscape guide for stormwater best management practice design

BMP toolbox for bioretention

You will find the following in this guide:

  • Required BMP Construction Specifications
  • Required BMP Plant Lists
  • Planting Specifications
  • Soil, Sand and Gravel Specifications
  • Pipe Specifications

Required plants for MSD stormwater best management practices:

Bioretention for Formal Landscapes

Bioretention for Informal Landscapes

Dry Swale

Sand Filter

Wet Pond

Wetland

Sample designs for MSD stormwater best management practices:

Bioretention

Dry Swale

Sand Filter

Wet Pond