FAQs

Stormwater is water that comes from precipitation (rain) and ice/snow melt.  It either soaks into the ground, evaporates, or collects and runs off from surfaces such as grass, trees, pavements, and roof tops into storm drain systems (pipes and/or ditch and stream networks) that ultimately makes its way to our streams.

Hydrology refers to how water is distributed and moves through the water cycle, or hydrologic cycle.  As it relates to the Stormwater Master Plan, hydrology is used to determine how much stormwater runoff is generated as a result of processes like precipitation, evaporation, and infiltration.

Hydraulics refers to the mechanics of how water moves through a physical system.  As it relates to the Stormwater Master Plan, hydraulics is used to determine how stormwater flows from one location to another.  This can occur through streams, channels, ditches, and pipes.

Generally, when rain falls on your property, it either filters into the ground, is captured, or runs off your property.  Impervious surfaces, such as roofs and pavements, increase the speed and amount of stormwater that runs off.  Flooding occurs when the speed or amount of stormwater runoff exceeds the capacity of the downstream drainage channels or pipes, or if the system is clogged or damaged.

A watershed is an area of land that drains to an outlet such as a stream, or lake.  A watershed can be as small as what drains to single inlet or as large as what drains to the Mississippi river. The smaller watersheds combine with other watersheds to form a network of rivers and streams that progressively drain into larger water areas.  The topography or man-made features determine where and how water flows through a watershed.

On the project website (stormwater.brla.gov), you can enter your address and see which watershed you live or work in.

It is a guidance document for the implementation of overall drainage system, water quality, and flood risk reduction projects, policies, and strategies.  The Stormwater Master Plan also includes a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that provides a roadmap on how to fund improvements over a designated period of time.

The Capital Region experienced widespread flooding in August 2016. The historic flood revealed current challenges regarding existing stormwater conveyance systems, as well as their impact on overall stormwater management in East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. Upon taking office, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome directed staff to develop a comprehensive stormwater master plan, the first in more than 50 years for the parish. In November 2017, a consultant team was hired to develop, in partnership with City-Parish staff, the master plan. The master planning process will conclude with the preparation of the formal Stormwater Master Plan Report that will include technical and policy recommendations, a 20-year capital improvement program, as well as funding and implementation strategies.

The process included significant data collection and survey of the City-Parish’s expansive stormwater system including open-drainage features including rivers, bayous, streams, and an inventory of natural resources, as well as all closed-drainage systems including pipes, drains, and structures.  It also involved developing a comprehensive public engagement plan; assessing and recommending updates to development guidance and stormwater ordinances; developing regional and watershed-based hydrology and hydraulic models to evaluate flood hazards and mitigation measures; developing and prioritizing planning level projects to address flooding problems; and an action plan to communicate the path forward toward implementation and funding of projects. This is more thoroughly presented in the Stormwater Master Plan Implementation Framework at https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5357/Stormwater-Master-Plan-PDF

The goal of the project was to develop a plan including management of human activities and natural resources, that as it is implemented, would reduce the risk of flooding throughout the city-parish.

We collected information about the existing stormwater drainage system so we can better understand how it performs. This included details about local storm drains and ditches, as well as the larger channels and bayous that move water through our Parish. As part of our data collection efforts, we also identified parts of the system that may need additional maintenance or repair.

There are approximately 550 miles of major tributary streams throughout the Parish.  Of these, approximately 520 miles drain to the Comite and Amite Rivers, which ultimately drain to Lake Maurepas.  There are approximately 30 miles of tributary streams in the west/northwest area of the Parish that drain to the Mississippi River.

There are an estimated 75,000 stormwater drainage structures, associated pipe network and bridges/culverts that are City-Parish responsibility.  This does not include storm drain systems in the cities of Central, Baker and Zachery  or  DOTD as they are the respective entity’s responsibility.

The data was used to develop computer models of the streams and stormwater pipe networks throughout the Parish.  These models simulated how different storm events cause flooding, as well as how unmanaged development can increase flooding and reduce water quality.  The flooding results were used to determine where maintenance or construction projects are needed to alleviate the flood impacts, as well as where environmental conservation and restoration can reduce flooding and improve water quality.  The information was used to inform changes in the Parish drainage, floodplain, and environmental policies, codes, and ordinances.

The stormwater master plan and associate projects and risk reduction strategies developed will not cause upstream or downstream impacts. This includes no impacts to our neighboring Parishes. We shared and coordinated the plan with the neighboring parishes.

The City-Parish received, as a result of the August 2016 flood, $80 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding by FEMA for various projects that will mitigate future flooding impacts. Applications for funding these projects were developed and reviewed by the state and federal governments. The stormwater master plan was submitted as a standalone application for HMGP funding and was approved by FEMA in the summer of 2019. The $15 million cost of the master plan was approved and fully funded by FEMA. Initial Phase I work on the master plan, prior to the HMGP application, totaling $1.3 million was funded by the City-Parish.

Phase 1 of the Stormwater master plan was completed in July of 2018 which comprised the completion of the stormwater master plan implementation framework. Major Phase 2 work on the master plan was completed in Summer 2022.

The Parish contracted with HNTB Corporation to assist in the development of a Parish Stormwater Master Plan (SMP).  The HNTB team included support from sub-consultants including Forte & Tablada, Franklin Associates, Civil Solutions, Compliance Enviro Systems, Natural Resource Professionals, and CSRS,Inc.

Yes.  The Watershed Initiative serves as the program through which floodplain management responsibilities are coordinated across federal, state and local agencies.  The LWI set up 8 regions throughout the state for this coordination between the LWI and local jurisdictions.  The City-Parish is part of Region 7 and is actively engaged.   In addition, the LWI is funding projects through an application process of which the Parish is participating and will continue to do so as the Stormwater Master Plan progresses. The Parish has already submitted a number of drainage improvement projects based on preliminary analysis completed as part of the Stormwater Master Plan.   You can view a list of the eligible pre-application projects here. For more information please visit www.watershed.la.gov

The Stormwater Master Plan is one of the steps being taken to be in compliance with FUTUREBR. You can find the details of the FUTUREBR here.

The Parish recognizes that maintenance is a key component of a properly functioning stormwater system. As part of the Stormwater Master Plan development, the Parish is diligently worked to collect the data to locate and understand the issues.  Your feedback was helpful.  The final comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan addresses the outstanding and future maintenance and the associated costs through the end of the planning process.

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System which includes catch basins, inlets, curbs, pipes, ditches, storm drains and man-made channels.  These systems are constructed to gather storm water and discharge it to larger streams and rivers without treatment.  They are constructed as a separate system because they aren’t connected to the sanitary sewer system.

A MS4 permit is granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to municipalities through the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulation to allow stormwater collected by the storm sewer system to be discharged to waters of the United States.  The permit requires that the municipality use controls to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable as outlined in and implemented through their submitted Storm Water Management Program plan (SWMP).

The Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) is a comprehensive plan that must be developed by municipalities if they wish to obtain a MS4 permit.  The plan must include pollution prevention measures, treatment of removal techniques, monitoring, use of legal authority, and other measures that can appropriately control the quality of storm water discharged to storm drains and ultimately larger streams and rivers throughout the country.

In Louisiana, the Department of Environmental Quality administers the program on behalf of the EPA, and reviews all plans submitted under the Storm Water Management Program to ensure they are in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The Storm Water Management Program is a water quality focused plan, whereas the Stormwater Master Plan is a comprehensive study to better understand drainage and flooding patterns.  The purpose of the plan is to identify at risk areas and generate solutions that aid in flood risk reduction throughout the Parish.

While water quality was considered during the development of the Stormwater Master Plan, it is not the main focus of the plan.  No solutions that can negatively impact the water quality of the Parish were selected.  The Stormwater Master Plan focus is on green solutions where feasible that will have a positive impact on water quality. In addition, the data collected on the storm sewer system was utilized to help inform the Parish on water quality concerns.

Detention and retention basins are both forms of best management practices for managing stormwater runoff and are two mitigation measures that can help reduce flooding in certain areas.

• Detention basins (sometimes referred to as “dry ponds”) are typically areas of dry land designed to temporarily hold stormwater during rain events then gradually release the water afterwards. Large detention basins can serve additional roles as recreational areas such as parks or sports fields.
• Retention basins have a permanent pool of water and can be very effective in improving water quality by removing sediment and pollutants from urban stormwater runoff. Examples of retention basins are stormwater ponds in subdivision developments as well as wetlands. Retention basins can provide many benefits to wildlife and even boost property values.