Approximately one mile away from the Neuse River watershed lies the Jack Smith Creek Stormwater Project, which has garnered statewide attention for its design and ecological impact.
The New Bern project covers an expanse of 20 acres, and its w-shape, designed by the University’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, earned a second place award in the National Precast Concrete Association’s Creative Use of Precast Awards, a university press release said.
Kristopher Bass, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Associate, said the Stormwater projects capture polluted runoff from urban areas to prevent the pollutants from flowing into nearby bodies of water.
The Jack Smith Creek project will consist of a wetland and a w-shaped concrete box that will back the water up and control the water level. This innovative shape will allow more water to fit in a smaller width because water can flow over all sides, Bass said. The N.C. State team also used pre-cast concrete, developed at the lab where they divided it into seven approximately five-foot long pieces and brought it to the site.
According to Bass, the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program awarded a grant to the University to complete the project. Project developers chose the New Bern site because it’s close to the Neuse River — a source of numerous water quality problems.
“If successful, we can help open the doors for larger projects and help designers design better products all over North Carolina so we can maximize the benefits we get,” Bass said.
N.C. State biological and agricultural engineering assistant professor and extension specialist, Bill Hunt leads workshops that teach students about their findings and how to design Stormwater projects.
Approximately 15 years ago, water flowing into the Neuse River underwent little to no treatment. Without treatment, the influx of pollutants can disrupt the ecological balance of stream water ecosystems where organisms like mussels and clams live. Combined with a rapid flow of water, flooding and erosion can occur, which forms mud in the water, Bass said.
Laura Merriman, a graduate student in biological engineering and researcher for the Jack Smith Creek project, said the ecological side of the project excites her the most.
“It’s all about using what nature has already given us to treat the water,” Merriman said. “Nature is the greatest engineer.”
According to Merriman, workers finished construction in December, but the project will not be complete until this summer. The group is currently installing monitoring equipment to assess how much water flows in and out of the wetland.
Polluted storm water in the creek will flow into the wetland, which will act as a natural filtration system before sending the water back to the creek, Merriman said. Many factors go into the construction of the wetland, and researchers are using a wetland on the coast as a reference.
“We look at what nature has done and we try to mimic it,” Merriman said. “Bugs and everything just follow after that, and it kind of just takes over itself.”
Within 24 hours of a storm, Merriman said it would be her job to drive to New Bern and collect water, plant and soil samples. These samples will then enable researchers to determine whether the wetland provided a good habitat or sequestered carbon. They will also analyze the diversity found in the wetland.
Merriman said she admires the natural resilience of wetlands and their ability to bounce back after natural disasters, such as a drought.
Bass said he would estimate thousands of small watersheds lie all over the state, but only a few large ones like the Jack Smith Creek Stormwater Project inhabit the area.
“I think it’s neat that we’re getting to a really big scale in storm water,” Bass said. “I hope it will help municipalities work together.”
