Stormwater System Maintenance

Pg.9 Rio de Flag
Pg.9 Milton flooding

Objective 4: Upgrade Stormwater System & Increase Maintenance

Relevant Standards

  • Protect public health, safety, and the local environment
  • Stormwater system resilient to the impacts of climate change
  • Reduce stormwater drainage complaints

Background

Flagstaff’s stormwater system is separate from the sanitary sewer system and is comprised of open channels (both natural and manmade) that convey large amounts of stormwater through culverts/ pipes that allow stormwater to cross under roads and catch basins that capture and guide stormwater into an underground network of pipes. For the system to function properly, it must be well maintained (clear of debris) and be sized to meet the type and magnitude of storms that occur in Flagstaff. The Stormwater Section is the delegated authority managing the National Flood Insurance Program for the City.

Timing Concerns

All indications are that “100-year” storms are now regular occurrences and may get worse in the near term. Damage will increase if this issue is not addressed expeditiously. Identifying and addressing the greatest vulnerabilities should be a high priority.

Challenge/Opportunity

Consistent with climate change models, the intensity of rainstorms in Flagstaff has been increasing.  Flagstaff has experienced “100Year” storms in 2014, 2016, 2018, and a “1000-Year” storm in 2018. Clearly, storms that were considered very unlikely may now be much more frequent or even the norm. Storms are typically categorized in terms of likely frequency, for example a 10-Year or 100-Year storm Also, wildfires increase the risks of flooding. These conditions highlight a variety of problems, Including:  

  • Flagstaff’s current stormwater control system is under-sized, and in certain areas cannot meet the requirements of what was previously defined as a 10-Year storm, let alone a 100-Year storm.
  • Over the last 5 years, the number of drainage complaints has reached 350, and overall damage estimates/insurance claims are unknown.
  • Maintenance is a problem. Many drainage complaints are due to a clogged system.
  • Floodplain policies and regulations need updating. Both old and new construction do not meet current grading and drainage regulations, which increases damage during storms. To the dismay of owners, some new homes are being flooded.
  • The existing stormwater system is not completely documented, which makes it difficult to administer the National Flood Insurance program.
  • These concerns are above and beyond the downtown flooding being addressed by the Army Corps of Engineers’ Rio de Flag project.

Water Services Strategic Plan 2025

Objective 4: Upgrade Stormwater System and Increase Maintenance

 

Reporting Period: January - June 2021

Reporting Period: July-December 2021

 

Specific Responses

Champion & TEAM

Accomplishments

Accomplishments

Next Steps

 Continue data collection to improve understanding of Flagstaff hydrology on the configuration and condition of the stormwater system

 Stormwater Manager Channel & Infrastructure Maintenance Program Manager

1. Collecting data at 24 City owned gauges and another 30 partner gauges. 2. Published a gauge report from 2008-2019 that summarizes data.

Continued data collection, work with AZGS, NAU, and Auburn University.

Continue data collection. Partner with AZGS for geomorphic data following the 2021 floods.

 

Ensure that system maintenance is adequately specified and funded

 

Stormwater Manager

  1. Continue asset updates in CMMS and GIS
  2. Continue cleaning of closed and open systems using contracts and Collections MSWs when available.

  3. Hired Paul Wolf as a Stormwater MSW.

  1. Continue asset updates in CMMS and GIS.
  2. Continue cleaning of closed and open systems using contracts and Collections MSWs when available.

3. Hired David as a Stormwater MSW.

  1. Hire one MSW.

 

 2. Assess workload and effectiveness of program using data collected in CMMS

 Update current policies, process and enforcement of grading and drainage regulations for new construction. Ensure sufficient staffing to review plans, permits and final inspections

Stormwater Manager Plan Review Program Manager

Continue updating the Stormwater Management Design Manual, under contract with Woodson Engineering.

Continue updating the Stormwater Management Design Manual, under contract with Woodson Engineering.

  1. Work with Building Safety to finalize grading ordinance.
  2. Continue in early phases of Stormwater Management Design Manual.

Re-set the storm categorization system to reflect the changing reality of climate change

Stormwater Manager

Continued study and work under this category. The FEMA CTP hydrology grant is being used to further this objective.

Continued study and work under this category. The FEMA CTP hydrology grant is being used to further this objective.

  1. Use information gathered to update rainfall-runoff curve numbers.
  2. Use results of meteorological design study to guide the revision to hydrology section of the SW Design

 Conduct a risk analysis of the stormwater system based on recent storms and damage

 Stormwater Manager Channel & Infrastructure Maintenance Manager

  1. Continued administering FEMA grant for upgraded flood ALERT system to evaluate flood damage.
  2. Conducted assessments of open and closed systems.
  1. Continued administering FEMA grant for upgraded flood ALERT system to evaluate flood damage.
  2. Conducted assessments of open and closed systems.

1. Use information gathered to assess needs for improvements to system.

 Develop a comprehensive stormwater infrastructure computer model to enhance decision-making

 Stormwater Manager

Continuing stormwater asset mapping and verification in CMMS and GIS.

Continuing stormwater asset mapping and verification in CMMS and GIS.

  1. Continue mapping.

 2. Continue collaboration with NAU Smart City project.

 Prioritize upgrades to the stormwater system based on risk analyses

Stormwater Manager

  1. CIP Ranking updates

2. Completing additional improvement project at Dortha to address elevated risk from Linda Vista project.

  1. CIP Ranking updates

2. Feasibility study underway for Museum Fire area.

  1. CIP Ranking updates

2. Completing additional improvement project at Dortha to address elevated risk from Linda Vista project.

 

 

 

 

Water Services Strategic Plan 2025                        2020 Accomplishments
Objective 4: Upgrade Stormwater System and Increase MaintenanceReporting Period:                January-June 2020Reporting Period:          July-December 2020
 Specific ResponsesChampion & TEAMAccomplishmentsAccomplishments Next Steps
Continue data collection to improve understanding of Flagstaff hydrology on the configuration and condition of the stormwater systemStormwater Manager
 Channel & Infrastructure Maintenance Program Manager		 1. Collecting data at numerous stream gauges.
 2.  RDF Hydrology grant ongoing.  Collected USGS historic gauge information to be used to create statistical hydrology for Flagstaff.		1.  SFD / residential grading permit first draft completed.
 2.  Qualified Registrant requirements for grading activities from grading plans to final grading certifications written and presented to Water Commission.		1. New gauges (9) installed throughout city.
2. Finish rating tables and geomorphological assessment.
Ensure that system maintenance is adequately specified and fundedStormwater Manager1.   Stormwater System Maintenance Program moved under Water Services
2. Adopted CMMS to plan, manage and track.
 3.  Employed technicians to verify, correct and add map stormwater assets. 		1. Continue asset updates in CMMS and GIS.
 2. Continue cleaning of closed and open systems using contracts and Collections MSWs when available.		1. Hire 2 MSWs.
2. Complete SOP and work with PW and WSD Operations to define responsiblities.
 3.  Assess workload and effectiveness of program using data collected in CMMS
Update current policies, process and enforcement of grading and drainage regulations for new construction. Ensure sufficient staffing to review plans, permits and final inspectionsStormwater Manager
 Plan Review Program Manager		1. Worked with Building Safety Department to draft new SFD / residential grading permit requirements to address current shortcomings.
 2. Working with DE and Legal for updates to City Code and certifications in regards to Registrant requirements for grading activities from grading plans to final grading certifications.		1.  SFD / residential grading permit first draft completed.
 2.  Qualified Registrant requirements for grading activities from grading plans to final grading certifications written and presented to Water Commission.		1.  Work with Building Safety to finalize grading ordinance.
 2.  Continue in early phases of Stormwater Management Design Manual.
Re-set the storm categorization system to reflect the changing reality of climate changeStormwater Manager1. Administering FEMA grant for upgraded flood ALERT system to estimate flows when connecting to the new Rio de Flag stormwater system.
 2.  Summarized rainfall runoff relationships in Upper Lake Mary.		Continue work outlined under Column C as well as regional analysis of 40 USGS streamgauges for long term trends1. Use information gathered to update rainfall-runoff curve numbers.
 2.  Use results of meteorological design study to guide the revision to hydrology section of the SW Design manual.
Conduct a risk analysis of the stormwater system based on recent storms and damageStormwater Manager
 Channel & Infrastructure Maintenance Manager		1. Administering FEMA grant for upgraded flood ALERT system to evaluate flood damage.   1.     Continued administering FEMA grant for upgraded flood ALERT system to evaluate flood damage.
 2. Conducted assessments of open and closed systems. 		1. Use information gathered to  assess needs for improvements to system.
Develop a comprehensive stormwater infrastructure computer model to enhance decision-makingStormwater Manager 1.  Completed preliminary infrastructure inventory mapping.Continuing stormwater asset mapping and verification in CMMS and GIS.1.  Continue mapping.
 2. Continue collaboration with NAU Smart City project.
Prioritize upgrades to the stormwater system based on risk analysesStormwater Manager 1. Updated CIP project priorities to complete improvements to Spruce Ave. Channel at Linda Vista1.  Prioritized spot improvements.
 2.  Spruce Avenue Channel Improvements plans currently being drafted, for build in FY22.		1.  CIP Ranking updates
 2.  Completing additional improvement project at Dortha to address elevated risk from Linda Vista project.


 


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