Hebron Stormwater Master Plan Project

On average, the Town of Hebron receives 45 inches of rain per year – an amount higher than the national average of 38 inches. The town experiences intermittent regular flooding during rain events due to their flat topography and inadequacy of outfall. Through our grant writing services, RAUCH inc. successfully obtained $55,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the town to develop a Stormwater Management Master Plan.

The master plan, Ih was completed In 2019, includes an evaluation of existing conditions, analyses of data for future conditions, and conceptual designs for the most effective solutions. Engineering and land management practices were identified to abate soil erosion, improve water quality, and mitigate flood risks. We also evaluated the use of small, cost-effective Best Management Practices and nature-based solutions such swales, detention and retention ponds, green roofs, rain gardens, and cisterns. Green Environmental Site Design (ESD) recommendations were identified for areas of inadequate drainage. We also provided the town with calculations of anticipated pollution reductions. All options were ranked in order of high, medium, and low priority.

To prepare the master plan, our field work and data analysis included surveying stormwater outfalls and flooding areas, recommending design changes, identifying targeted retrofits, and developing new design elements. Areas where combination elements of new elements and retrofits could be used along with low impact design (LID) solution options were also identified.

The Stormwater Management Master Plan is being used as a case study in DNR’s recently released 2023 Community Guide to Assessing Non-Tidal Flood Impacts in Maryland.

Following completion of the study, RAUCH inc. assisted the Town of Hebron with an application for grant funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program. MDE has awarded the Town $1.659M for project implementation which will begin in summer 2024.