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Campus Stormwater Wetland Retrofit Project

The Campus Stormwater Wetland Retrofit Project, with funding from the NC DEQ 319 Program, involved converting a dry-detention basin to a stormwater wetland. Dr. Charles Humphrey served as the Principal Investigator (PI). Co-PIs of the project include Dr. Guy Iverson (ECU Environmental Health faculty), Dr. Mike O’Driscoll (ECU Department Coastal Studies), Dr. Randall Etheridge (ECU Department of Engineering and Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering) and Dr. Natasha Bell (ECU Engineering and Water Resources Center). Other cooperators and contributors include John Gill (ECU Assistant Director of Grounds Services), Jeremy Russell (ECU Assistant Director with Building Services), Chris Jones (ECU Facilities Services) and Melissa Nolan (ECU MS Environmental Health graduate student). Sound Rivers is helping with some education and outreach regarding the project.

Facts about the Project

  • With funding from the NC DEQ 319 Program, project investigators and partners converted a dry-detention basin to a stormwater wetland.
  • The wetland conversion included the installation of a rip rap envelop and deep pool near the inlet, shallow water and shallow land areas, a new outlet structure, and the planting of over 1,800 various wetland plants.
  • Wetlands are typically more efficient at treating nitrogen, phosphorus, and removing sediment in comparison to dry detention basins.
  • Monitoring data suggest the wetland will slow runoff allowing more time and opportunity for nutrient and sediment removal.
Removal of cattails from dry basin and construction of deep pool areas near the inlet
Rip rap envelope near the wetland inlet will help dissipate the energy of water flowing into the wetland
Construction of deep pool and shallow water areas
Construction of new outlet structure for the wetland [1]

Construction of new outlet structure for the wetland [2]
Wetland plants near the outlet (water was pumped out to allow for planting) and near the shallow water and shallow land areas [1]
Wetland plants near the outlet (water was pumped out to allow for planting) and near the shallow water and shallow land areas [2]
Wetland after a 1.75 inch rain-event inundating the shallow water and shallow land areas [1]
Wetland after a 1.75 inch rain-event inundating the shallow water and shallow land areas [2]