Education

Research Description

Water quality monitoring and modeling and BMP evaluation

Publications

Effectiveness of livestock exclusion in a pasture of Central North Carolina

Line, D. E., Osmond, D. L., & Childres, W. (2016), Journal of Environmental Quality, 45(6), 1926-1932.

Runoff and pollutant export from a LID subdivision in North Carolina

Line, D. E., & White, N. M. (2016), Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York, N.Y.), 142(1).

Effects of livestock exclusion and stream restoration on the water quality of a North Carolina stream

Line, D. E. (2015), Transactions of the ASABE, 58(6), 1547-1557.

Metrics for assessing thermal performance of stormwater control measures

Wardynski, B. J., Winston, R. J., Line, D. E., & Hunt, W. F. (2014), Ecological Engineering, 71, 551-562.

Estimating suspended solids from turbidity in the Robeson Creek, NC watershed

Line, D. E., Hall, K. R., & Blackwell, J. D. (2013), Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 49(6), 1412-1420.

LID treatment train: Pervious concrete with subsurface storage in series with bioretention and care with seasonal high water tables

Brown, R. A., Line, D. E., & Hunt, W. F. (2012), Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York, N.Y.), 138(6), 689-697.

Effectiveness of LID for commercial development in North Carolina

Line, D. E., Brown, R. A., Hunt, W. F., & Lord, W. G. (2012), Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York, N.Y.), 138(6), 680-688.

Constructed storm-water wetland installation and maintenance: are we getting it right?

Hunt, W. F. M., Greenway, M., Moore, T. C., Brown, R. A., Kennedy, S. G., Line, D. E., & Lord, W. G. (2011), Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 137(8), 469-474.

Sediment export from a highway construction site in central North Carolina

Line, D. E., Shaffer, M. B., & Blackwell, J. D. (2011), Transactions of the ASABE, 54(1), 105-111.

Bioretention outflow: Does it mimic nonurban watershed shallow Interflow?

DeBusk, K. M., Hunt, W. F., & Line, D. E. (2011), Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 16(3), 274-279.

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Efficacy of linear wetlands to treat agricultural drainage water in the Little River watershed

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(3/01/16 - 12/31/17)

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Efficacy of linear wetlands to treat agricultural drainage water in the Little River watershed

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 3/01/16

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

The use of constructed wetlands strategically placed in the watershed is one alternative that appears promising. Wetlands have been used to successfully treat drainage water, but data documenting the treatment efficiency is sparse and has no-doubt limited the ability of the practice to be adopted on a more widespread basis. To test and demonstrate this practice, Albemarle RC&D and its project partners are finalizing the design of approximately 1700 linear feet of constructed wetlands within a main drainage canal within the Little River Watershed. This proposal will outline how our team from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at NC State University will provide assistance to the Albemarle RC&D in documenting the performance of these linear constructed wetlands in the Little River Watershed.

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In-stream wetlands as part of the Little River watershed restoration project

NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund(1/01/16 - 9/15/17)

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In-stream wetlands as part of the Little River watershed restoration project

Sponsor: NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund

Start Date: 1/01/16

End Date: 9/15/17

Abstract

The overarching goal of this project is to demonstrate and evaluate constructed wetlands as a way to mitigate the effects of surface runoff/subsurface drainage on the water quality of the Little River, with particular emphasis in nutrient (N and P) reduction. In a partnership with ARCD, BAE will: 1. Provide consultation for final design and implementation of the constructed wetlands; 2. Design and implement a water quality sampling scheme that will maximize information gained on wetland treatment efficiency given a limited timescale and budget; 3. Synthesize data and evaluate the potential of constructed wetlands to improve water quality in the Little River watershed; 4. Participate in outreach such as field days and the development of education materials that will document potential widespread use of constructed wetlands in rural areas.

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City of Greensboro Stream and Lake Protection Project

Greensboro, NC(12/01/14 - 9/29/17)

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City of Greensboro Stream and Lake Protection Project

Sponsor: Greensboro, NC

Start Date: 12/01/14

End Date: 9/29/17

Abstract

The City of Greensboro has contracted with Withers and Ravenel (W&R) to design and implement sediment control control measures near the inlets to their water supply lakes. The City also wanted water quality monitoring to document the effectiveness of the measures. Thus, W&R has requested that NCSU_BAE conduct the monitoring of these measures, which is what this proposal is for.

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Monitoring and Evaluation of Millstone Creek Tributaries, Randolph County, North Carolina

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)(7/01/14 - 12/31/18)

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Monitoring and Evaluation of Millstone Creek Tributaries, Randolph County, North Carolina

Sponsor: NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Start Date: 7/01/14

End Date: 12/31/18

Abstract

The Ecosystem Enhancement Program requests the services of NC State University (NCSU) for production of stream restoration related work on sites identified and managed under the EEP. The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and NC Sea Grant at NCSU will work with the EEP to assess, monitor and advise as needed to help determine the most appropriate restoration design and construction approaches for maximizing ecological function and pollutant removal as needed to maximize the functional efficacy of stream and wetland rehabilitation projects designed to provide compensatory mitigation. Millstone Creek Stream Restoration Project in Randolph County, NC has been identified as a project for NCSU to provide these services. This project includes two low-order highly incised tributaries that are good candidates for assessing the performance of Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC) as a restoration approach for agriculture dominated watersheds. The Millstone Creek tributaries receive high nutrient loads from adjacent pasture area that receives land-applied animal waste. The project represents a good opportunity to document stability, aquatic community, groundwater and pollutant removal response to various restoration and enhancement approaches. NC State will first conduct pre-restoration monitoring on both tributaries in order to establish baseline water quality and hydrology conditions.

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Implementing and Evaluating Stormwater BMPs in Durham

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/14 - 12/31/16)

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Implementing and Evaluating Stormwater BMPs in Durham

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/14

End Date: 12/31/16

Abstract

The NC State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept. proposes to install stormwater runoff BMP’s in the Woodcroft HOA soccer fields located in south Durham. The stormwater BMPs would replace a concrete-lined channel with a vegetated swale and the downstream wet area with probably a stormwater wetland. Surface water inflow to and outflow from the BMP combination will be monitored continuously via automated samplers. Groundwater inflow appears to be minimal and thus will not be monitored. Nitrogen (TKN, NH3-N, NOx-N), phosphorus (TP), and total suspended solids (TSS) loads will be computed and used as the measure of the reduction efficiency. Statistical analysis will be conducted to determine whether the reductions are significant with respect to unexplainable/natural variability. Construction cost data will be maintained and used to compute a cost-effectiveness of the stormwater wetland. Monitoring data from this project will be used to help calibrate the Jordan Lake Stormwater Load Accounting Tool. Results will be presented at statewide and likely national meetings/conferences along with publication in a scientific journal.

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Assessment of Thermal Pollution Associated with Riparian Canopy Clearing: Part II

NC Department of Transportation(8/16/13 - 8/15/15)

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Assessment of Thermal Pollution Associated with Riparian Canopy Clearing: Part II

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/16/13

End Date: 8/15/15

Abstract

Water temperature is an important component of habitat for many aquatic organisms. The temperature of stream discharge has been shown to increase significantly in some cases when the riparian tree canopy is removed. The magnitude of the temperature increase is a function of many factors including length of reach with no canopy, discharge, stream width/depth ratio, and stream gradient/velocity. This project is a continuation of RP 2011-14 which was designed to monitor stream temperatures at 10 sites (5 intensive monitoring and 5 less intensive). One of the critical sites in RP 2011-14 included monitoring an affected stream before, during, and after road improvement. Because the road improvement project was delayed a year, the monitoring must be extended to provide adequate post-improvement data. The intensive monitoring will include continuous measurement of stream temperature, stage, and air temperature. Discharge measurements, which included stream velocity measurements, will be conducted as needed to develop stage-discharge relationships for intensively monitored stream reaches. Less intensive monitoring at 5 sites will include continuous measurement of temperature along with occasional measurement of velocity and discharge. Other relevant measurements including documenting the stream profile and pattern, tree canopy, and other conditions will be made at selected sites. Analysis of monitoring data will be conducted to determine if significant differences in upstream and downstream temperatures have occurred. A spreadsheet model will be developed based on the information and monitoring data collected that will be designed to assess the potential for thermal pollution.

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Project 3- Nutrient Reductions in Agricultural Watersheds: Intentional Planning, Implementation and Maintenance

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(2/01/14 - 7/31/17)

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Project 3- Nutrient Reductions in Agricultural Watersheds: Intentional Planning, Implementation and Maintenance

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 2/01/14

End Date: 7/31/17

Abstract

The overall goal of the project is to build innovative capacities for targeted implementation of agricultural conservation practices at the watershed scale. The objectives of the nutrient reductions in agricultural watersheds are: 1) To understand how effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices for N and P control varies with their landscape position, physical characteristics of the farm, proximity to perennial streams, irrigation ditches, and other factors; 2) To examine the appropriateness and soundness of the SWAT model for representation of conservation practices at field, irrigation district, and watershed scales; 3) To understand and characterize socioeconomic factors that influence (facilitate or impede) adoption of practices; 4) To identify simple and transparent approaches for incorporating watershed-scale benefits of conservation practices into NRCS conservation planning field tools and programs such as EQIP; A paired watershed approach will be used to address the objectives of this project. The conservation practices that will be evaluated in the demonstration watersheds in North Carolina and Colorado will be dependent on the watershed needs and may include: Nutrient Management; Residue/Tillage Management; Linear polyacrylamide, Filter Strips; Grassed Waterways; Strip-cropping; Stream Exclusion Fencing; and Irrigation Management Practices. The outputs of this work will be through integration with all of the other sectors being explored in this effort, since the Jordan Lake Watershed contains urban, agricultural and forested lands. In order for targeting to occur, the agricultural practices must be considered based on not only the biophysical realm (pollutants, sources) but the modeling and economic outcomes used to determine which conservation practices should be used where and taking into account farmer preferences. Two subwatersheds will be selected for initial monitoring (baseline), which will encompass 2 years. The third year conservation practice implementation will be targeted while water quality monitoring continues. The duration of this grant is insufficient to test long-term changes in water quality but it allows us to start the implementation effort and helps us to test tools developed for the targeting. It also allows us to test strategies in working with land owners as conservation practice adoption is individualistic. Prior conservation practice implementation data and key informant surveys in this basin will help tailor targeting of conservation practices.

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Stormwater Best Management Practices in the Robeson Creek Watershed

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/13 - 6/30/16)

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Stormwater Best Management Practices in the Robeson Creek Watershed

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/13

End Date: 6/30/16

Abstract

The Robeson Creek Watershed is impaired for Total Phosphorus and Habitat Degradation. This project will implement stormwater BMPs recommended by both the 2003 TMDL implementation plan and the 2010 Robeson Creek Watershed Restoration Plan to help meet goals of reducing peak stormwater flows, Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Nitrogen (TN), total suspended solids (TSS), and improve and maintain aquatic habitat. Focus will be primarily on the Little Creek subwatershed. A stormwater wetland, a bioretention area, buffer plantings, and cisterns will be installed along a critical continuous segment of Little Creek tributary 1A that captures stormwater from urban development and a large parking lot in Pittsboro. Water quality sampling will be placed upstream and downstream of BMPs to determine effectiveness. An innovative upflow filter that targets Phosphorus removal will be installed on a farm pond that drains to Robeson Creek. Water quality monitoring will also occur upstream and downstream of this BMP to determine nutrient removal effectiveness. As recommended in the restoration plan, the ongoing educational campaign of the Robeson Creek Watershed council will be continued with quarterly stakeholder meetings, tours, workshops, newsletters, and informational signs at BMP locations.

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Sediments Newsletter

NC Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources formerly NC Dept of Env. & Natural Resources (DENR)(9/01/12 - 5/01/13)

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Sediments Newsletter

Sponsor: NC Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources formerly NC Dept of Env. & Natural Resources (DENR)

Start Date: 9/01/12

End Date: 5/01/13

Abstract

Continue the publication and distribution of the Sediments newsletter for the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Land Quality Section in order to provide information to the regulated community and to facilitate communication among local erosion and sediment control programs.

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Adaptive Nutrient Management for Corn, Sorghum, and Wheat in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina

Environmental Defense Fund(6/21/12 - 12/31/18)

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Adaptive Nutrient Management for Corn, Sorghum, and Wheat in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina

Sponsor: Environmental Defense Fund

Start Date: 6/21/12

End Date: 12/31/18

Abstract

Determining nitrogen (N) rates is very difficult because the ?correct? rate varies by crop, yield, soil, climate, and other multiple factors and there is no soil test. Using the least amount of N for crop production, while optimizing yield increases economic well-being for farmers and environmental benefits for society at large. Strip trials on farmers fields (3 N rates) using corn, sorghum and wheat will allow farmers to review their N fertilizer rates. Determining phosphorus (P) rates is easier because we can use soil tests. On-farm and experiment station trials show there is no benefit to starter-P on soils with High or Very High soil test P. Most farmers soil test annually; however, NC data suggests that regardless of soil test P levels, farmers apply starter fertilizer, particularly to corn so again we will use strip trials (starter N only vs starter P and N) on farmers fields to demonstrate need or lack of need for P starter. We hope to work with 20 farmers per crop using strip trials (both P and N). Sorghum is a new and important crop in eastern North Carolina but we do not have firm N fertilization rates. We will establish trials (2 to 3 soil types) to determine optimum N rates in sorghum. In addition, continued nutrient management education will occur with poultry farmers on soil and litter testing and correct calibration of spreaders. This work will be primarily conducted in Sampson County.

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