The Project
Engineering a Stormwater Drainage System for Flood Resilience in Bluefield, Virginia
Homeowners in Bluefield, VA have repeatedly struggled with flooding in their backyards from a nearby stream. Previous attempts to mitigate the flooding have caused water back-up into the homeowners’ yards. This flooding was exacerbated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 leading to five feet of water in their basements. Our task is to create a stormwater management system that reduces the amount of runoff accumulating from the stream during heavy rainfall events. Our team will consider the local landscape, historical flow data, and needs of the homeowners to develop the best design solution for this neighborhood.
Project Goal
Our goal is to design an effective, affordable, and sustainable stormwater system that mitigates the flooding in the Bluefield neighborhood.​
Project Objectives
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Complete surveying and analyze site data following visits to Bluefield neighborhood and meetings with homeowners before November 1.
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Review standards for Stormwater Management in the state of Virginia and county/town of Bluefield with consideration to natural resource conservation before November 1.
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Brainstorm among the team and develop potential design solutions to mitigate flooding before December 1.