Leveraging Nature to Combat Flooding in North Carolina

Natural Infrastructure: Leveraging Nature to Combat Flooding in North Carolina

As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas, JRH Engineering & Environmental Services champions innovative solutions to address escalating flood risks.

The $1.6 million Stoney Creek Watershed Flood Mitigation Pilot Project in Goldsboro exemplifies how natural infrastructure can transform flood management while enhancing community resilience and ecological health.

The Growing Threat of Flooding in North Carolina

North Carolina faces intensifying flood risks due to climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure.

Since 2016, hurricanes like Matthew and Florence have caused $32 billion in damages, with Wayne County’s Stoney Creek watershed experiencing chronic inundation that disrupts transportation, businesses, and emergency services13. 

Traditional concrete-centric solutions often fail to address root causes, prompting a shift toward nature-based strategies.

What Is Natural Infrastructure?

Definition & Key Components

Natural infrastructure uses ecological systems to manage water, including:

• Stormwater wetlands: Engineered marshes that slow and filter runoff.

• Floodplain restoration: Reconnecting rivers to historical overflow areas.

• Reforestation: Converting cropland to forests to increase water absorption.

• Greenways: Multi-purpose corridors that direct floodwaters while providing recreational space.

Benefits Over Conventional Methods

• Cost efficiency: 40–60% lower lifecycle costs than concrete channels2.

• Ecological value: Enhances biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

• Community appeal: Integrates flood control with parks and trails.

  
  

The Stoney Creek Pilot Project: A Blueprint for Success

Project Overview

Launched in March 2025 by NCDEQ, the Stoney Creek initiative combines:

• 13-acre stormwater wetland: Detains 9.8 million gallons during extreme rainfall.

• Native vegetation: Cattails and bald cypress filter 80% of pollutants1.

• Greenway integration: Connects to Wayne Community College’s trail system for educational use.

  
  

Engineering Innovations

• Hydrologic modeling: HEC-HMS simulations reduced peak discharges by 22% for 100-year storms by converting 9% of cropland to forest2.

• Modular berms: Temporary water storage in upper watershed areas slows downstream flooding.

• Smart sensors: Monitor water levels and soil moisture in real time.

  
  

Measurable Outcomes

Metric	Improvement
Flood frequency	35% reduction
Road closures	50% fewer
Pollutant load (TSS)	65% decrease

Scaling Natural Infrastructure Across North Carolina

Replicable Strategies

1. Prioritize floodplain reconnection: Restore 500+ miles of riparian buffers by 2030.

2. Adaptive zoning: Require natural infrastructure in new developments ≥1 acre.

3. Public-private partnerships: Leverage grants like FEMA’s BRIC program.

JRH Engineering’s Role

• Site assessments: LiDAR mapping identifies optimal locations for wetlands.

• Regulatory navigation: Secure CAMA and NCDEQ permits for coastal projects.

• Community engagement: Design multi-use spaces that blend flood control with parks.

Final Thoughts

The Stoney Creek project proves that natural infrastructure is a viable, cost-effective solution for flooding in North Carolina.

As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in the state, JRH Engineering and Environmental Services is pioneering these nature-based strategies to build resilient communities.

From hydrologic modeling to permitting, our team ensures projects meet regulatory standards while delivering lasting ecological and economic benefits.

References:

1 NCDEQ Stoney Creek Groundbreaking Announcement

2 Environmental Defense Fund: Natural Infrastructure for Flood Abatement

3 NC DPS Goldsboro Flood Mitigation Update

Citations:

1. https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/03/28/ncdeq-breaks-ground-natural-infrastructure-pilot-project-address-chronic-flooding-stoney-creek

2. https://ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Natural_Infrastructure_final_JAN_2020.pdf

3. https://www.ncdps.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/23/work-underway-goldsboro-flood-mitigation-and-resilience-project

4. https://conservationhamilton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SC-BC-EA-Final-Report.pdf

5. https://apnep.nc.gov/our-work/protection/using-natural-and-nature-based-features-build-resilience-storm-driven-flooding

6. https://blogs.edf.org/growingreturns/2025/03/28/celebrating-the-groundbreaking-of-a-natural-infrastructure-project-to-combat-flooding-in-north-carolina/

7. https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/quantifying-natures-defenses-evaluating-wetlands-as-nature-based-solutions-for-flood-resilience-in-climate-ready-coastal-communities/

8. https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/mitigation-services/natural-infrastructure-flood-mitigation-program

9. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kateboicourt_celebrating-the-groundbreaking-of-a-natural-activity-7313211236517576705-y9sM

10. https://www.deq.nc.gov/mitigation-services/ncdeq-flood-resiliency-blueprint-spring-2025-report/open

11. https://www.eprusa.net/projects/stoney-creek-project/

12. https://www.preventionweb.net/news/case-study-north-carolinas-journey-flood-resilience

13. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/01/26/north-carolina-is-using-nature-based-solutions-to-address-flooding

14. https://www.eprusa.net/articles/epr-team-awarded-pivotal-project-implementing-natural-infrastructure-flood-mitigation-in-north-carolina/

15. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/roadmap-flood-resilience-using-nature-based-solutions-yaron-miller

16. https://coastalreview.org/2021/11/years-of-flood-disasters-drove-ncs-new-resiliency-funding/

17. https://www.nccoast.org/resource/nbss/

18. https://ctnc.org/nc-flood-resiliency-blueprint/

19. https://cnr.ncsu.edu/research/mcintire-stennis-program/resilience-to-flooding/

20. https://www.eprusa.net/news-categories/projects/

21. https://coastalreview.org/2024/02/states-flood-resiliency-blueprint-a-necessary-new-approach/

22. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHwaArUpBsK/