The Plateau Action Network
Fayette Square Rain Gardens
Overview
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the land surface. The addition of roads, driveways, parking lots, rooftops and other surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground to our landscape greatly increases the runoff volume created during storms. Stormwater runoff also picks up and carries with it many different pollutants that are found on paved surfaces such as sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, bacteria, oil and grease, trash, pesticides and metals.
The Fayette Square Stormwater Retrofit Project utilizes green infrastructure to capture, cleanse and reduce stormwater runoff using plants, soils and microbes. At the site scale, green infrastructure consists of site-specific management practices (such as interconnected natural areas) that are designed to maintain natural hydrologic functions by absorbing and infiltrating precipitation where it falls. Bioretention areas function as soil and plant-based filtration devices that remove pollutants through a variety of physical, biological, and chemical treatment processes.
Stormwater is collected into the treatment area which consists of a grass buffer strip, sand bed, ponding area, organic layer, planting soil, and plants. Runoff passes over or through a sand bed, which slows the runoff’s velocity and distributes it evenly along the length of the ponding area.
The ponding area consists of a surface organic layer and/or groundcover and the underlying planting soil. Water is ponded and gradually infiltrates the bioretention area or is evapotranspired. Stored water in the bioretention area planting soil exfiltrates over a period of days into the underlying soils before water is recharged into Wolf Creek.
Previously, the shopping center parking lot had four concrete gutters that conveyed surface runoff directly to Wolf Creek.
The storm drainage system is not regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, or any city or county ordinances, thus they are considered “non-point” sources. The surface runoff from the parking lot is known to contain oil, grease, and toxic chemicals that are harmful to biological life. In the winter months an added elevation of salts, from de-icing, also enters the stream.
To remedy this problem, the project aims to eliminate direct surface runoff from the Fayette Square parking lot to Wolf Creek. The project involved removing/ disconnecting four concrete gutters from the parking lot and installing a bioretention filter strip. The bioretention filter strip was installed between the edge of the parking lot and Wolf Creek, and will serve to reduce pollutants and sedimentation from stormwater runoff before this water enters Wolf Creek.
Project Partners
- WV Department of Environmental Protection
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- Harbor Engineering
- Aspen Corporation
- Wolf Creek Environmental Trust
Rain gardens like the ones developed at Fayette Square represent a practical approach to stormwater management in the Lower New River watershed. These landscaped depressions capture runoff from impervious surfaces such as parking lots and rooftops, allowing water to slowly infiltrate into the ground rather than rushing into nearby streams. This process helps filter out pollutants including sediment, nutrients, and heavy metals before they reach local waterways. By mimicking natural hydrology, rain gardens reduce the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff, which in turn decreases erosion and flooding risks. For the Plateau Action Network and its partners, such green infrastructure projects are essential tools for protecting water quality throughout the region.
The environmental benefits of this rain garden installation extend well beyond simple drainage control. Native plants selected for these gardens develop deep root systems that enhance soil permeability and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. The vegetation also takes up excess nutrients that might otherwise contribute to algal blooms in downstream waters. Stormwater runoff is one of the leading sources of pollution in the New River watershed, carrying everything from oil and grease to bacteria and excess fertilizers. By intercepting and treating this runoff at its source, the Fayette Square rain gardens help maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and safeguard drinking water supplies for communities in the area.
Successful implementation of this project depended on strong collaboration between government agencies, engineering firms, and local environmental organizations. State and federal environmental protection agencies provided guidance and support, while engineering partners contributed technical expertise in site design and construction. The Wolf Creek Environmental Trust and other local groups helped ensure the project aligned with community needs and watershed priorities. This partnership model reflects the Plateau Action Network's longstanding approach to conservation work, recognizing that meaningful environmental progress requires bringing together diverse stakeholders who share a commitment to responsible stewardship of the region's natural resources.
The Fayette Square rain garden project fits within a broader strategy for watershed protection that includes acid mine drainage remediation, stream restoration, and responsible land use planning. Each of these efforts contributes to the overall health of the Lower New River watershed, addressing pollution from multiple sources. Community education also plays a vital role, as residents who understand the connection between their daily actions and water quality are more likely to adopt environmentally friendly practices. By demonstrating effective stormwater management in a visible public space, this project serves as both a functional infrastructure improvement and an educational example of how thoughtful design can protect the region's waterways for generations to come.
Project Funding $197,785
- CWA 319 $120,051
- WCET $72,872
- Hackney Real Estate Services $2,000
- PAN $2,862
Project Gallery
Interpretation Signage
Fayette Square Rain Garden Project
Estimated Pollutant Removal
Fayette Square Estimated Pollutant Removal
The ESRI Conservation Program is the non-profit support arm of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Through their generous donation, we have used ArcGIS software to create and develop spatial analysis, computer mapping and geographic information systems (GIS).
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