Project Overview & Commercial Significance
Situated prominently along Highway 40 in Chesterfield, Missouri, the Delmar Gardens corporate water feature system stands as a landmark architectural installation. High visibility from both the adjacent interstate highway and inside the facility's expansive glass enclosure demanded an engineered water feature designed for uninterrupted, high-efficiency continuous operation.
As a specialized division of Missouri Machinery & Engineering Co., Hydro Dramatics was commissioned to engineer, supply, and support the multi-stage hydraulic system. The project seamlessly integrates outdoor high-volume display fountains, natural stone waterfalls, lake water aeration systems, and an intimate interior courtyard Dandelion Sphere sculpture.
Core Engineering Components
The Delmar Gardens project comprises multiple synchronized water features operating on dedicated recirculating systems:
- Central Cascade Array: A dynamic central focal point utilizing graduated, heavy-duty brass cascade jet nozzles that generate aerated column displays, illuminated at night via submerged solid-state white LED fixtures.
- Natural Stone Tiered Waterfall: A gravity-fed recirculating waterfall feature constructed over natural stone, engineered for precise flow rate control and splash containment.
- Commercial Floating Aeration Fountain: A heavy-duty floating fountain positioned in the perimeter body of water to maintain water clarity, enhance dissolved oxygen levels, and prevent stagnation.
- Courtyard Dandelion Sphere Fountain: A custom sculptural spray sphere located within the interior executive courtyard, designed to produce acoustic white noise for privacy while creating a fine mist visual effect.
- Underground Fiberglass Equipment Vault: A factory-prefabricated, weatherproof below-grade mechanical vault housing system pumps, multi-stage filtration, chemical treatment systems, and automated control panels.
Engineering Scope & Deliverables
Hydro Dramatics provided end-to-end mechanical engineering and manufacturing support to ensure long-term structural reliability and easy maintenance for facility managers:
- Complete mechanical hydraulic calculations, pump curves, and pipe sizing schematics.
- Electrical distribution designs, underwater LED control wiring, and automated sensor layouts.
- Custom fabrication of pump skids, manifold distribution units, and equipment vault integration.
- On-site technical supervision during utility connection and physical equipment placement.
- Comprehensive Operations & Maintenance (O&M) documentation, system commissioning, and staff operation training.
- Scheduled seasonal maintenance programs and long-term technical consultation.
System Technical Specifications
| System Parameter | Engineering Specification |
|---|---|
| Primary Display Jet Type | Commercial Brass Cascade Nozzles with Wind-Resistant Spray Profiles |
| Sculptural Feature | Multi-Nozzle Architectural Dandelion Spray Sphere |
| Illumination System | Energy-Efficient Submersible Solid-State White LED Lighting |
| Water Quality Management | Commercial Lake Aerator & Recirculating Filtration Loop |
| Mechanical Enclosure | Pre-Engineered Below-Grade Fiberglass Vault with Access Hatch |
| Compliance & Standards | U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC) & Hydraulic Institute Standards |
