Engineering a Stormwater Drainage System for Flood Resilience in Bluefield, Virginia

Homeowners in a neighborhood in Bluefield, VA have repeatedly experienced flooding into their backyards from a nearby stream. The community lacks a comprehensive stormwater system. Instead, homeowners have installed their own individual grates and pipes to evacuate the water into the Bluestone River downhill. Previous attempts to mitigate the flooding have caused water back-up into the homeowners’ yards. Following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, flooding was exacerbated which led to five feet of water in their basements (See photos below). Our task is to adjust the stormwater management system to reduce 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.