Education

Research Description

Nonpoint source pollution prevention and treatment • Restoration ecology • Stormwater management • Stream assessment •Sustainable landscaping

Publications

Can rapid assessments predict the biotic condition of restored streams?

Doll, B., Jennings, G., Spooner, J., Penrose, D., Usset, J., Blackwell, J., & Fernandez, M. (2016), Water, 8(4).

Identifying watershed, landscape, and engineering design factors that influence the biotic condition of restored streams

Doll, B., Jennings, G., Spooner, J., Penrose, D., Usset, J., Blackwell, J., & Fernandez, M. (2016), Water, 8(4).

Evaluating the eco-geomorphological condition of restored streams using visual assessment and macroinvertebrate metrics

Doll, B. A., Jennings, G. D., Spooner, J., Penrose, D. L., & Usset, J. L. (2015), Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 51(1), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/jawr.12233

Hydraulic geometry relationships for urban streams throughout the piedmont of North Carolina

Doll, B. A., Wise-Frederick, D. E., Buckner, C. M., Wilkerson, S. D., Harman, W. A., Smith, R. E., & Spooner, J. (2002), Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 38(3), 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2002.tb00986.x

Sea grant and invasive aquatic plants: A national outreach initiative

Crawford, H. M., Jensen, D. A., Peichel, B., Charlebois, P. M., Doll, B. A., Kay, S. H., … O'Leary, M. B. (2001), Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 39(2001 Jan), 8–11.

Constructed wetlands treatment of high nitrogen landfill leachate

Liehr, S. K., Kozub, D. D., Rash, J. K., Sloop, G. M., Doll, B., Rubin, A. R., … Burks, D. (2000). , . Alexandria, VA : Water Environment Research Foundation.

Jump Run Creek Shellfish Restoration Project

White, N. M., Line, D. E., Potts, J. D., Kirby-Smith, W., Doll, B., & Hunt, W. F. (2000), Journal of Shellfish Research, 19(1), 473–476.

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Grants

Designing Toward Implementation: Lumberton Floodprint Phase 2

NC Community Foundation(7/25/19 - 7/24/20)

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Designing Toward Implementation: Lumberton Floodprint Phase 2

Sponsor: NC Community Foundation

Start Date: 7/25/19

End Date: 7/24/20

Abstract

The requested funding will advance recovery and rebuilding activities within two Lumberton Floodprint focus areas: 1) Meadow Branch Floodway Restoration adjacent to the Best Drive neighborhood, and 2) Repurposing the Scottish Meatpacking Plant property into an environmental outreach and education amenity associated with the Lumber River State Park and/or NC Wildlife Resource Commission. The funding will support research, engagement, design, and communication activities including, but not limited to: [1] a minimum of three (3) community workshops to elicit participation and input from neighborhood residents and two (2) meetings with city council/staff; [2] hydrologic modeling and development of schematic restoration concepts for Meadow Branch; [3] development of schematic design alternatives for both project areas to be used by the city as evidence/leverage for seeking larger implementation grants and to inform respective requests for proposals (RFPs); and [4] continued evaluation of issues and opportunities related to both Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence impacts (i.e., FEMA flood map updates, incorporation of new property acquisition data, etc.), including associated updates and revisions to the Lumberton Floodprint.

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Evaluating the Capacity of Natural Infrastructure for Flood Abatement at the Watershed Scale

Environmental Defense Fund(5/20/19 - 2/19/20)

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Evaluating the Capacity of Natural Infrastructure for Flood Abatement at the Watershed Scale

Sponsor: Environmental Defense Fund

Start Date: 5/20/19

End Date: 2/19/20

Abstract

Upper Coastal Plain communities have been plagued by flooding. Flash flooding along tributaries of the major rivers is an issue along with riverine flooding. NC Sea Grant and the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department will conduct a study to identify and evaluate potential mitigation measures that could be taken to lessen the impacts of flooding across a range of storm event return periods. The objective of the proposed work is to evaluate the capacity of the large-scale implementation of natural infrastructure projects to mitigate flooding. This will be completed by conducting modeling case studies in two small Coastal Plain watersheds in the City of Goldsboro to evaluate the potential to decrease peak flow and lower water surface elevation (WSE) by converting agricultural land to timberland and restoring floodplains. Specifically, this project will seek to identify how much land conversion and restoration is needed to have a significant reduction in tributary flow and associated flood stage, and to identify the largest storm event at which these efforts can be expected to have a significant impact.

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Phase II School Campus Stormwater Assessment and Implementation

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(5/01/18 - 12/31/20)

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Phase II School Campus Stormwater Assessment and Implementation

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 5/01/18

End Date: 12/31/20

Abstract

NC Sea Grant and NC State University's Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) will work collaboratively with Sounds Rivers, Inc. (SRI) to conduct stormwater assessments and make BMP recommendations for 17 school campuses in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River basins. NCSU will also support SRI in ranking and prioritizing the structural BMPs identified. Finally, NCSU will provide site assessment, design and construction oversight for the implementation of $200,000 in stormwater BMPs. SRI has been awarded funding from the Bosch Community Fund, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) and the NC Department of Justice’s Environmental Enhancement Grants program for this project. Topographic maps, field surveys, soil cores, and existing campus master plans will be utilized to complete the assessment for each campus. A full report will be provided to each campus outlining areas of concern and needs for their campus.

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Jaycee Park Forested Stormwater Wetland Retrofit

NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund(1/17/18 - 9/30/19)

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Jaycee Park Forested Stormwater Wetland Retrofit

Sponsor: NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund

Start Date: 1/17/18

End Date: 9/30/19

Abstract

NC Sea Grant and NC State University's Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) will work with Sounds Rivers, Inc. (SRI) to conduct stormwater assessment, design and construction oversight for the retrofit of an existing abandoned and non-functioning farm pond into a forested stormwater treatment wetland. The existing pond is located on public land at Jaycee Park in Greenville, North Carolina. This project will support the City of Greenville’s Greens Mill Run (GMR) Watershed Master Plan (WSMP) and will work to provide water quality improvements to Reedy Branch, a tributary of Green Mill Run, an impaired waterway. In addition, NCSU will support in developing educational and outreach activities.

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Upper Durant Lake Retrofit Alternatives Analysis

Raleigh, NC(1/19/18 - 12/31/19)

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Upper Durant Lake Retrofit Alternatives Analysis

Sponsor: Raleigh, NC

Start Date: 1/19/18

End Date: 12/31/19

Abstract

NC Sea Grant and NC State University’s Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) will evaluate alternatives for the best long-term management and use of Upper Durant Lake within the City of Raleigh's Durant Nature Preserve. Because of the significantly reduced capacity of the lake due to decades of sedimentation, a failing outlet structure, and the structurally compromised spillway and embankment, the City recognizes the need identify opportunities for repairing and modifying the existing lake to improve water quality protection, ecosystem services, flood control, recreational and educational opportunities. NCSU BAE will thereby conduct a watershed and site assessment and develop engineering alternatives for the Lake.

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Flood Abatement for Neuse, Tar, and Lumber Rivers

NC Department of Transportation(2/01/18 - 6/30/20)

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Flood Abatement for Neuse, Tar, and Lumber Rivers

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2/01/18

End Date: 6/30/20

Abstract

Recent major flooding events of the Neuse, Tar, and Lumber Rivers have highlighted the need to identify the causes of the flooding and to assess potential abatement and mitigation measures. The purpose of this project is to apply hydrologic, hydraulic and geospatial modeling and analyses to the Neuse, Tar, and Lumber River Basins to better understand the source(s) and nature of flooding in the Basins and assess potential abatement measures. The NC State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (NCSU BAE) is currently conducting a flood assessment study for the Town of Windsor and the Cashie River in Bertie County. Processes, methods and lessons learned from the Cashie River study will be applied to the Neuse, Tar, and Lumber River Basins. NCSU BAE will use a team of engineers and an integrated approach to model and evaluate landuse changes, extreme flood events, structures and floodplain encroachments. Model results will be used to document the relative contributions of subwatersheds within the basin, landuse changes, precipitation patterns, structures and floodplain encroachments to downstream flooding and to assess the effectiveness of potential abatement measures. The study will include analysis of historical, current and future hydrologic, hydraulic and geospatial conditions within the three river Basins.

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Evaluation of Nutrient Reduction Crediting Strategies for Stream Restoration

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(10/01/17 - 8/31/18)

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Evaluation of Nutrient Reduction Crediting Strategies for Stream Restoration

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 10/01/17

End Date: 8/31/18

Abstract

The NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) has developed draft standards for awarding nutrient credits for stream restoration efforts. The proposed guidance borrows heavily from the current Chesapeake Bay Protocol (CBP). The credit considers three potential nutrient credit elements for stream restoration projects including 1) prevented sediment during storm flow, 2) instream denitrification during base flow and 3) floodplain reconnection. The first element concerns lowering nutrients by reducing stream bank and bed erosion, the second by enhancing the hyporheic zone of the stream and the third by reducing channel size and/or increasing floodplain area. NC Sea Grant and NC State University Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department will review and refine the draft protocol in an effort to assist DWR in developing a practical and appropriate nutrient crediting framework for eligible stream restoration projects with a goal of acheiving nutrient reductions in Nutrient Management Strategy watersheds. Specifically, Sea Grant and NCSU will conduct a review of the draft standards and test the proposed nutrient credit calculation methods on four case study restoration projects in order to: 1) quantify the level of effort necessary to prepare nutrient credit estimates, 2) identify opportunities to address shortcomings and simplify the proposed credit standards and 3) where appropriate, develop modified nutrient credit standards for improving application and accuracy of reduction estimates. In addition, USGS gage station data analysis will be conducted at five streams in order to evaluate relationships in channel size, hydrology, watershed size and floodplain flow frequency. Field survey, assessment and modeling of case study restored streams and modeling of USGS gaged streams will be conducted for this effort.

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Town of Windsor Flood Reduction Feasibility Study

Bertie County(6/01/17 - 6/30/18)

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Town of Windsor Flood Reduction Feasibility Study

Sponsor: Bertie County

Start Date: 6/01/17

End Date: 6/30/18

Abstract

The Town of Windsor has recently experienced severe flooding from several large hurricane and tropical storm events that has resulted in substantial structural flooding and associated damage. The town is actively mitigating the damage through buyout and retrofitting programs. However, due to the historic significance of the town combined with serving as the economic center of Bertie County, there is also a strong desire to protect the future of the town by reducing the frequency and magnitude of future flood events. This proposal outlines a flood reduction feasibility study that is intended to identify appropriate engineering options and best management practices targeted at reducing runoff and surface flow reaching the Cashie River from the watershed and its tributaries and for reducing the direct flow of water into the town during river flooding events. The study will help Windsor and Bertie County to prioritize appropriate approaches for reducing flooding.

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School Campus Stormwater Assessment

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)(6/15/17 - 8/31/18)

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School Campus Stormwater Assessment

Sponsor: NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Start Date: 6/15/17

End Date: 8/31/18

Abstract

NC Sea Grant and NC State University's Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) will work collaboratively with Sounds Rivers, Inc. (SRI) to conduct stormwater assessments and make BMP recommendations for four school campuses in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River basins. The campuses will include Pitt County Community College, Beaufort County Community College, Washington High School, and P.S. Jones Middle School. Topographic maps, field surveys, soil cores, and existing campus master plans will be utilized to complete the assessment for each campus. A full report will be provided to each campus outlining areas of concern and needs for their campus. Additionally, an educational workshop will be convened in Greenville, NC for educational opportunities of local planners, municipality staff, and private consultants. Topics will include minimum design criteria and innovative stormwater best management practices. Continuing Educational Credits will be offered for applicable professionals.

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Functional Assessment of Paired Restored and Unrestored Streams in the North Carolina Piedmont

Environmental Defense Fund(7/01/17 - 9/30/18)

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Functional Assessment of Paired Restored and Unrestored Streams in the North Carolina Piedmont

Sponsor: Environmental Defense Fund

Start Date: 7/01/17

End Date: 9/30/18

Abstract

Recently, a functional based framework for stream assessment and restoration was proposed where channel functions are categorized by hydrology, hydraulic, geomorphology, physicochemical and biology. Functional categories can be used to evaluate and quantify channel function for reference, degraded (existing), and restored (proposed) streams. This project proposes to conduct functional assessment using the NC Quantification Tool on five restored streams. The five streams will be selected to have adjacent (either upstream or downstream) un-restored reaches in a disturbed condition. Functional conditions for the paired sites will be used to determine the numeric uplift and to determine if project success criteria have been met. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the application of the new functional assessment tool for its ability to detect and quantify functional uplift of stream restoration projects.

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