Master Planning

Innovative Stormwater Planning

Master planning is a proactive response to stormwater management for the town through infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and ordinance revisions. An important component of master planning is stakeholder involvement as this type of engagement can significantly improve the level of service for managing stormwater. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes specific infrastructure improvements throughout the town to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

The Town is currently in the process of updating the Stormwater Management Master Plan. Plan development is being performed by WithersRavenel, an outside engineering team, to prioritize stormwater maintenance and capital projects based upon a select set of criteria ( i.e. frequency of flooding, system condition, water quality, etc.). The CIP program deliverable is intended to serve as a "living document" so that the Town can update the document as projects are completed and new ones are added.

Due to the number, scale, and complexity of the identified flood-prone areas, the plan is being implemented via a phased approach. The initial phase consisted of Town staff compiling data related to existing drainage problem areas via field observations from stakeholders, resulting in 18 individual problem areas which have been synthesized into 13 potential CIP projects. The project listing is ranked, utilizing a consistent set of criteria in relation to other projects to determine their relative importance.

The second phase of the project framework includes the development of a problem statement that identifies existing drainage deficiencies, existing constraints and design considerations, and a minimum of two conceptual design alternatives for each project area. Hydraulic and hydrologic models are created, to closely simulate field observations and evaluate project performance as measured by rainfall amount, depth of flooding, and flood frequency.

Construction of the top three project areas was completed in mid-2019. Project Area #11, Pompano Ct. (Nags Head Cove Subdivision), was completed in Mid-2020 in connection with the development of the W. Side Multi-Use Path.

Corrective maintenance has been performed on Project Area #7, (lower section of Deering St.), and Project Area #8, (lower portion of Soundside Rd.). 

Project area #10, Kipper Ct. (Nags Head Cove Subdivision), is currently scheduled for construction in FY 2020-2021. Project areas #12 & #13 (along S. Old Oregon Inlet Rd.) are currently on hold.

For questions related to recent planning efforts, please contact David Ryan, P.E., Town Engineer by email or by phone at 252-441-6221.