The University of Virginia (UVA) faced stormwater problems. Rather than managing stormwater at each building, which was inefficient and costly, Nitsch developed a first-of-its-kind “regional” stormwater management plan using natural systems such as created wetlands, daylighted streams, and feature ponds. We performed an area-wide hydrological assessment of existing and proposed conditions for the entire West Side of the University. We recommended creative stormwater management solutions for the entire 850-acre watershed, such as streambank/floodway restoration, created wetlands, and green Best Management Practice solutions to restore the degraded creek environment. This solution improved water quality, decreased stormwater flow from campus, and created beautiful amenities.
As the result of this plan, individual site development projects no longer need their own stormwater management systems; instead, they reap the benefit of the three “regional” facilities installed across the campus: The Dell, the Emmet Street Garage site, and the John Paul Jones Arena site.
The Dell, Charlottesville, VA
The Dell is the first of the three regional stormwater mitigation sites identified in the Meadow Creek Regional Stormwater Management Plan. The green stormwater solutions include the daylighting of 1,200 lineal feet of new streambank, creating wetlands, and creating a new landscape feature pond. A sediment forebay, biofiltration islands, and vegetated filters also provide a green environment to the stressed Meadow Creek stream.
Emmet Street Garage, Charlottesville, VA
This 1,200-car parking structure is the second of three regional stormwater mitigation sites. Nitsch performed detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and prepared preliminary stormwater management designs for the site. Stormwater solutions included streambank/floodway relocation, created wetlands and ponds, and Best Management Practice solutions.
John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
The third regional stormwater mitigation site in Meadow Creek is this 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena project. Nitsch performed detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and prepared stormwater management designs for the site. These stormwater solutions include streambank/floodway restoration, created wetlands and ponds, biofiltration islands, vegetated filters, and other Best Management Practice solutions.
“Nitsch Engineering listened to our needs, and then looked beyond the most obvious solutions to develop a plan that meets our needs both now and for the future.” – Director of Energy & Utilities, University of Virginia
Our work on this project won the 2007 ACEC/MA Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor Award (first place) and a 2007 ACEC National Engineering Excellence Honor Award, as well as a 2008 Excellence in Landscape Architecture Merit Award from the Society for College and University Planning.
Key Collaborators
Owner: University of Virginia
Landscape Architects: Biohabitats and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
