Community of Love Lutheran Church Submerged Gravel Wetland

Oxford Borough: Project Owner
Community of Love Lutheran Church: Property Owner
Center for Watershed Protection (CWP)- project design, construction management
SLC Excavating, LLC- Site Contractor

In October 2024, Oxford Borough completed the Submerged Gravel Wetland Stormwater Project, transforming an underutilized area at the Community of Love Lutheran Church into a high-functioning green infrastructure site. Designed to address local flooding, improve water quality, and meet MS4 permit sediment reduction goals, the project integrates multiple innovative stormwater practices while fostering community engagement and long-term sustainability. The project features a submerged gravel wetland, an advanced BMP ideal for high water table sites, providing both stormwater volume storage and pollutant filtration. An upland native wildflower meadow enhances water retention, increases evapotranspiration, and creates vital pollinator habitat.

A groundbreaking element is the use of biochar as a soil amendment—an emerging practice in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that improves infiltration, pollutant removal, and soil health. Success stemmed from strong collaboration among Oxford Borough, the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP), the church, and local volunteers. CWP designed the project and supplied biochar through its Scaling Up Biochar Applications initiative. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Countywide Action Plan Implementation Grant through the Chesco Chesapeake Communities Action Plan Non-Ag Sub-grant administered by the Chester County Conservation District, along with Oxford Borough’s financial support, made implementation possible. Volunteers planted the meadow, fostering local stewardship, while Oxford Borough Public Works ensures long-term maintenance. Challenges included designing for site constraints and balancing ecological benefits with ease of maintenance. Smart design solutions mow strips to prevent invasive species, low-profile fencing to define boundaries, observation wells for monitoring, and educational signage—enhance project sustainability.

This initiative goes beyond traditional BMPs, demonstrating how multi-sector collaboration and innovative technology create replicable, climate-resilient stormwater solutions.