A-B Tech Green Infrastructure Project

A Nature-Based Solution to Stormwater Runoff

RiverLink and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) have teamed up to improve water quality in Haith Branch and the French Broad River. Perched on a hill above the French Broad, A-B Tech’s campus includes many acres of pavement and rooftops that prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. When rain falls on these hard surfaces, it becomes stormwater runoff.

Like many community college campuses, A-B Tech was originally built with gray infrastructure—a network of storm drains and underground pipes designed to move water off campus as quickly as possible. While effective at preventing flooding, this system creates new problems downstream. Fast-moving stormwater causes erosion, carries sediment into streams, and delivers pollutants such as oil, bacteria, and pesticides into waterways.

Recognizing these challenges, A-B Tech made a commitment to add green stormwater infrastructure to campus—solutions that slow down, filter, and clean stormwater before it reaches the river. This collaborative project, identified in the Central Asheville Watershed Restoration Plan, focuses on three major issues:

• An underused parking lot that sent untreated runoff to Haith Branch
  
• A deeply eroded gully formed by fast-moving stormwater
  
• Streambanks along Haith Branch that were collapsing and losing soil

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Parking Lot Converted into a Stormwater Wetland

An underused asphalt parking lot was transformed into a beautiful and functional stormwater wetland, designed by Blue Earth Engineering and Osgood Landscape Architecture. The wetland now collects and cleans runoff from 16 acres of hard surfaces across the A-B Tech campus.

Instead of rushing into storm drains, rainwater spreads out and soaks into the ground, where native plants and soils naturally filter out pollutants. Click here to see the original concept design for this wetland.

Beyond improving water quality, the wetland provides a wealth of co-benefits. It has become a green space that serves as both an outdoor classroom and a welcoming area for students, staff, and visitors. The diversity of native plants supports pollinators, birds, and other wildlife—turning a once-paved area into a thriving ecosystem.

Transforming the Eroded Gully

For years, stormwater runoff had carved a 15-foot-deep gully in the woods below the old parking lot, sending muddy water into Haith Branch during every storm.

To solve this problem, Wildlands Engineering and Baker Grading replaced the gully with a step-pool stormwater conveyance system—a series of small pools and rock steps that slow down stormwater, reduce erosion, and allow it to soak into the ground. The restored area is now stable, safe, and alive with native plants that provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Restoring Haith Branch

Haith Branch is a small stream that winds through A-B Tech’s campus before flowing into the French Broad River in the River Arts District. Years of uncontrolled runoff had eroded its streambanks, washing away soil and habitat.

As part of this project, the streambanks were stabilized and planted with native trees and shrubs. These plants provide shade, create better habitat for fish and wildlife, and help filter pollutants before they reach the stream.

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Phase II: Building an Outdoor Classroom

The next phase of the project, planned for 2026, will expand hands-on learning opportunities for A-B Tech students and faculty. With support from the NC Land and Water Fund, RiverLink and A-B Tech will:

• Build an ADA-accessible parking area near the wetland using permeable pavers that let rain soak through instead of running off
  
• Install educational signs explaining how green infrastructure works
  
• Purchase monitoring equipment for A-B Tech biology students to collect long-term water quality data from the wetland and Haith Branch