Education

Research Description

Stormwater management, and low impact development and green infrastructure

Honors and Awards

• William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, 2015
• Blue-Green Innovator of the Year in NC, 2014
• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Young Extension Award, 2008
• Inducted into the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension (AOFEE), 2007
• Governor's Award for Water Conservationist of the Year, NC Wildlife Foundation, 2007
• NC State Alumni Outstanding Extension and Outreach Award, 2007
• Outstanding Extension Specialist for NCSU and NCA&T for support of county programs from the NCSU Association of Extension Specialists, 2007

Publications

EVALUATING THE OCCURRENCE AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF MOSQUITOES IN RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS

Gee, K. D. B., Dobyns, K., Gage, K., Woodward, M., Hunt, W., Kennedy, S., & Lehr, D. (2022), JOURNAL OF THE ASABE, 65(6), 1475–1487. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.15189

Effect of Visibility on Maintenance Investment and Consequent Performance of Urban Stormwater Control Measures

Moin, S., Hunt, W. F., Birgand, F., & Ratzlaff, S. (2022), JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000975

Fine scale hydrologic modelling of bioretention using DRAINMOD-urban: Verifying performance across multiple systems

Diab, G., Hathaway, J. M., Lisenbee, W. A., Brown, R. A., & Hunt, W. F. (2022), JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY, 614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128571

A Comparison of Methods to Address Anaerobic Conditions in Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Gee, K. D. B., Schimoler, D., Charron, B. T., Woodward, M. D., & Hunt, W. F. (2021), WATER, 13(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233419

Hydrologic Modeling of Distributed Stormwater Control Measure Retrofit and Examination of Impact of Subcatchment Discretization in PCSWMM

Shaneyfelt, K. M., Johnson, J. P., & Hunt, W. F. (2021), JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000938

Monitoring the Water Quality Benefits of a Triangular Swale Treating a Highway Runoff

Luell, S. K., Winston, R. J., & Hunt, W. F. (2021), JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000929

Next generation swale design for stormwater runoff treatment: A comprehensive approach

Ekka, S. A., Rujner, H., Leonhardt, G., Blecken, G.-T., Viklander, M., & Hunt, W. F. (2021). [Review of , ]. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111756

Survey of the operational status of twenty-six urban stormwater biofilter facilities in Sweden

Beryani, A., Goldstein, A., Al-Rubaei, A. M., Viklander, M., Hunt, W. F., III, & Blecken, G.-T. (2021), JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113375

Designing Dry Swales for Stormwater Quality Improvement Using the Aberdeen Equation

Hunt, W. F., Fassman-Beck, E. A., Ekka, S. A., Shaneyfelt, K. C., & Deletic, A. (2020), JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000886

Field Assessment of the Hydrologic Mitigation Performance of Three Aging Bioretention Cells

Johnson, J. P., & Hunt, W. F. (2020), JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000925

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Grants

Dry Detention Conversion to Stormwater Wetlands in Third Fork Creek Watershed

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/23 - 6/30/25)

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Dry Detention Conversion to Stormwater Wetlands in Third Fork Creek Watershed

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/23

End Date: 6/30/25

Abstract

The Third Fork Creek watershed is located in an older and heavily urbanized part of Durham, NC. It is impaired for Copper, Benthos, Turbidity, and TSS. Additionally, Third Fork Creek flows into B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (Jordan Lake), which has TMDLs for Total Phosphorus and Total Nitrogen, as well as a TMDL Addendum for High pH and Turbidity impairments associated with the State chlorophyll-a standard in Jordan Lake. Major stream restoration and watershed management projects undertaken by various organizations have already realized great improvements. Much of the watershed’s urban stormwater runoff, however, remains untreated prior to entering Third Fork Creek. This proposed project will uplift three existing SCMs (Dry Detention Basins) in the watershed and convert them into new SCMs (Constructed Stormwater Wetlands) that better address the water quality needs of Jordan Lake and Third Fork Creek. Dry detention basins (DDB’s) offer minimal water quality benefits compared to constructed stormwater wetlands (CSW’s); the latter can maintain similar temporary volume storage while greatly improving treatment of TSS, phosphorus, and nitrogen. The proposed retrofits are expected to be relatively inexpensive.

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Producing Minimum Design Criteria for Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance and Native Grass Swales (including wet swales)

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(12/01/22 - 9/30/23)

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Producing Minimum Design Criteria for Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance and Native Grass Swales (including wet swales)

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 12/01/22

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

Minimum Design Criteria, or MDCs, are used by NCDEQ to determine whether a Stormwater control measure (SCM) is compliant with state standards and therefore able to be permitted for us. For a SCM to be used en masse in North Carolina, MDCs must be available. Without MDCs, therefore, the likelihood of widespread use is negligible. Two stormwater practices that have been studied recently in NC (by NC State and others) have garnered the interest of the design community, but neither of them have MDC’s and therefore are not easily used. Those two practices are regenerative stormwater conveyance and native grass lined swales, which include wet swales. NC State faculty and a student will synthesize recently completed research and existing design guidance from elsewhere to produce MDCs for both of these stormwater control measures.

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Implementing Low Impact Commercial Hotel Development in Black Creek Watershed

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/23 - 12/31/25)

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Implementing Low Impact Commercial Hotel Development in Black Creek Watershed

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/23

End Date: 12/31/25

Abstract

This project seeks to implement low impact development features on a new hotel development and monitor the impacts of the hotel’s construction on the receiving tributary that flows into the impaired Black Creek that is located in the Neuse River Basin. The hotel site will be constructed so post-development discharges will be within 10% of pre-development discharges into the tributary. While watershed restoration in the form of stormwater retrofit projects has taken place in the Black Creek watershed for 10+ years, continued development and associated runoff continues to chip away at the gains made. This high profile project with a world-renown corporate hotel chain has the potential to inform and inspire more sustainable stormwater management on highly impervious commercial sites.

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Predicting Resilience and Reducing Failure of Stormwater Control Measures to Extreme Storm Events

NC Department of Transportation(8/16/22 - 12/31/24)

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Predicting Resilience and Reducing Failure of Stormwater Control Measures to Extreme Storm Events

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/16/22

End Date: 12/31/24

Abstract

The state of North Carolina has been struck by several extreme rainfall events over the past few years, which have caused failures in stormwater infrastructure (including but not limited to Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) regulated under the Department’s NPDES stormwater permits (NCS000250)). While SCMs are designed to treat runoff, their principal focus has been treating moderately sized rain storms. How these SCMs fared during larger events, and the restorative maintenance efforts associated with SCM damage is a significant concern for NCDOT. The Department has a substantial investment in stormwater management assets with over 1900 SCMs having been constructed to treat runoff from roadways, bridges, rest areas, and maintenance yards across the state. Moreover downstream stormwater infrastructure is protected by SCMs (e.g., swales and other conveyance channels). Fortunately, NCDOT has conducted quantitative monitoring of several of these SCMs installed as part of its NPDES permit-required Retrofit Program. NCDOT would benefit understanding at what storm size do typically-designed SCMs no longer provided hydrologic mitigation. At what point do SCMs likely fail with significant structural degradation (both to the SCM and downstream) that would lead to costly reconstructive repair? Moreover, are there simple retrofits to existing SCMs (or design features for to-be-built SCMs) that can enhance or extend hydrologic mitigation and reduce the chances of failure?

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Greenfield Lake Water Quality Improvements

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/22 - 6/30/24)

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Greenfield Lake Water Quality Improvements

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/22

End Date: 6/30/24

Abstract

Greenfield Lake is a 250-acre lake and public park in the heart of Wilmington, NC. The lake hosts an abundance of wildlife as well as thousands of residents and tourists who enjoy the lake’s recreational amenities. However, the surrounding development produces stormwater runoff carrying excessive nutrients, causing dangerous algal blooms, fish kills, and overall poor water quality conditions in the lake. This project aims to reduce the amount of nutrients entering Greenfield Lake by implementing low-impact-development stormwater control measures at the new site of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The site, which will house the Food Bank as well as the local food nonprofit, Feast Down East is located along Squash Branch, a northern tributary of Greenfield Lake. By replacing a traditional wet pond with a rainwater harvesting system and infiltration basin, less stormwater runoff will flow to the lake, reducing the overall nutrient load and decreasing the negative impacts. Additionally, the rainwater captured will be used to irrigate crops grown by Feast Down East’s community learning farm, increasing access to both fresh food and environmental education opportunities to the surrounding, underserved community.

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Jacks Creek 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plan

North Carolina Land and Water Fund(8/20/22 - 10/31/23)

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Jacks Creek 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plan

Sponsor: North Carolina Land and Water Fund

Start Date: 8/20/22

End Date: 10/31/23

Abstract

Jacks Smith Creek is a highly urbanized stream in Washington, North Carolina that has documented impairments due to increased runoff volumes, magnitude and frequency of channel-forming flows, and pollutant loadings. This project proposes to assist the team assembled by Sound Rivers, Inc (grantor) to draft a 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plan to help address these impairments and improve water quality. NCSU will provide consultation on potential project sites, nutrient loading estimates, and conduct a literature review.

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Flow-through, Off-line Stormwater Wetland to Treat Downtown Wilson and Improve Hominy Creek Swamp

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(5/02/22 - 6/30/24)

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Flow-through, Off-line Stormwater Wetland to Treat Downtown Wilson and Improve Hominy Creek Swamp

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 5/02/22

End Date: 6/30/24

Abstract

Wilson’s Hominy Creek Swamp is a Nutrient Sensitive Water (NSW) with benthos impairment. NC State University and the City of Wilson are partnering to implement a large-scale stormwater wetland that would treat runoff from most of downtown Wilson. Runoff from approximately 80-acre watershed will be treated by this off-line, flow-through wetland. As this urban SCM is large (3 acres), the funding request is separated into three proposals: (1) herein which requests funds for construction and a small amount of personnel time for construction supervision, (2) an EEG administered by the NCDOJ is providing funds for the design of the wetland, and (3) funds from the NCL&WF have recently been requested to cover all monitoring expenses. This wetland is expected to be highly effective at reducing N&P inputs to Hominy Swamp Creek, with SNAP outputs suggesting that nearly 17,000 lbs of N and more than 3000 lbs of P will be removed over a 30-year period. Because of the expected success of the project and the fact that many communities are looking for means to reduce runoff (to protect downstream underserved communities) while improving water quality, we plan to offer a flow-through wetland design workshop series in NC (including in Wilson) towards the end of this project. This workshop will disseminate information that will hopefully encourage other communities to follow a similar path. Lastly, due to the size of the ecosystem that is being created near downtown Wilson, the City will be partnering with the local science museum (Imagination Station) to develop educational displays.

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Monitoring Nutrient Loads from Urban Pervious Surfaces

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(9/20/21 - 6/30/24)

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Monitoring Nutrient Loads from Urban Pervious Surfaces

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 9/20/21

End Date: 6/30/24

Abstract

Five-to-six urban pervious landcovers will be selected in the Raleigh-Durham area and 2-3 urban pervious landcovers will be selected in the Wilmington area. The intent of locating research sites in both places is to test a gradient of soil types (sandy in Wilmington and clayey in Durham/Raleigh). Three principal pervious covers will be tested, but flexibility exists for these to be adjusted per input from NCDEQ personnel. As of now, we will test forests with minimal management, shrub areas with minimal management, and turfgrass. Exact sites will be selected during the first 3 months of the project. Each small catchment will be surveyed to determine its size. When necessary, NC State SEG will construct diversions to channel runoff to a monitoring station. No monitoring will be installed until reviewed and approved by NC DEQ. Every site will be monitored for approximately one year and data collection will occur during the following 15 months (not every monitoring site will have the same “start” date). Hydrologic and water quality data will be collected using automated samples, v-notch weirs coupled with pressure transducers, and rain gauges. Flow-proportional samples will enable the calculation of Event Mean Concentrations (EMC’s) that are necessary for SNAP. The graduate student will keep a quarterly-revised tally of results for each monitoring station and be able to report this to NCDEQ upon DEQ’s request. Data will be analyzed using statistical techniques and tabulated in a final report. Findings from this report are intended to be incorporated into the SNAP tool. A workshop will be held towards the end of the project with a focus on SNAP, during which time the results of this research will be shared to the design and regulatory community.

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Durham Catch Basin Insert Study

Durham, NC(8/17/21 - 12/31/22)

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Durham Catch Basin Insert Study

Sponsor: Durham, NC

Start Date: 8/17/21

End Date: 12/31/22

Abstract

The North Carolina State University (NCSU) Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) Department will provide technical support to the City of Durham and Civil Consultants Inc. for a study focusing on the effectiveness of catch basin inserts (CBI). NCSU BAE will develop selection criteria for CBIs and a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) for the study using knowledge gained from previous studies. NCSU BAE will also provide suggestions for maintaining CBIs as well as analyzing and synthesizing the data.

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9-Element Plan Development for Jack Smith Creek

City of New Bern(7/01/21 - 9/30/22)

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9-Element Plan Development for Jack Smith Creek

Sponsor: City of New Bern

Start Date: 7/01/21

End Date: 9/30/22

Abstract

The N.C. State BAE Stormwater group agrees to aid in the development of an EPA “9-Element Plan” for Jack Smith Creek in City of New Bern, NC. The cost of this assistance is $11,608. This quote includes staff time, overhead, fringe costs, and day travel for site visits, meetings, and collaboration. The start date for this proposal will be July 1, 2021 and the end date will be December 31, 2021. The goal of this project is to have the New Bern “9-Element Plan” for Jack Smith Creek completed and approved by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality before the 20212 deadline for EPA 319 grant funding.

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