Projects

Storm Drainage Improvement Projects
Evaluate existing storm drainage systems, identify improvements, and install and/or repair storm drainage infrastructure.

Stream & Wetland Restoration Projects
Enhance surface waters by reducing erosion and restoring aquatic habitat in streams, floodplains and wetlands.

Pollution Control Projects 
Enhance surface waters by installing and maintaining stormwater control measures to reduce pollution and control the volume and velocity of stormwater.

Storm Water Services has more than 50 major capital improvement projects underway. Find more information about specific projects below, including project area, project phase and staff contact information.

6th and Graham Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Bayswater Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Beckwith/Meadow Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Brooklain/Coulwood Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Camp Greene Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Chandworth Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Chatham Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Coulwood Water Quality Enhancement Project

Craighead/Tryon Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Cricketeer Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Cutchin Drive Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

East 35th Street Storm Drainage Improvement Project

East Fourth Storm Drainage Improvement Project

East Worthington Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Edgewater/Rosecrest Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Elvis Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Farmer Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Hastings/Princeton Storm Drainage Improvement Project  

Hidden Valley Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Hinsdale/Tinkerbell Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Irwin Creek Stream Restoration Project 

Kings Branch Stream Restoration Project

Lakewood Water Quality Enhancement Project

Lanier Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Laurel Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Little Sugar Creek Polk Street to State Line Stream and Wetland Restoration Project

Long Creek I-77 to Dixon Branch Stream Restoration Project

Long Creek Treyburn Drive to I-485 Stream Restoration Project

Long Creek I-485 to Oakdale Road Stream Restoration Project

Lorna/Laburnum Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Louise Avenue Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Magnolia/Winthrop Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Manor Storm Drainage Improvement Project

McAlpine Farm Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Morning Dale Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Newell Water Quality Enhancement Project 

Queens Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Queens/Westfield Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Raleigh Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Reedy Creek Stream Restoration Project

Riverbend Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Rocky River West Branch Phase 2 Stream Improvement Project

Rocky River West Branch Phase 3 Stream Improvement Project

Severn/Tyndale Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Shamrock Gardens Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Stewart Creek Phase 3 Stream Restoration Project

Stewart Creek Tributary 2 Stream Restoration Project

Stewart Creek Trib #2 at Barlowe Road Stream Restoration Project

Sunview/Telfair Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Tennessee Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Thermal Road Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Toomey/Distribution Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Valley Haven Water Quality Enhancement Project

Water Oak Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Westbourne Storm Drainage Improvement Project 

Westmere Storm Drainage Improvement Project

Storm Water Services is working on hundreds of minor storm drainage improvement projects across the city. View the interactive map below to find projects near you, including project phase and staff contact information.

Interactive Map of Active Storm Water Services Projects

Charlotte Storm Water Services continuously assesses and improves storm drainage to protect public safety and ensure long-term sustainability of the public storm drainage system. Hundreds of active projects are underway throughout the City of Charlotte. 

Storm drainage improvement projects consist of the following phases and public engagement is emphasized throughout the process.

Planning

Survey crews document the existing storm drainage system and surrounding areas. The project team uses this information, along with other data and resident reported drainage concerns to evaluate the existing system.

Design

The project team develops detailed design plans for proposed storm drainage system improvements. The plans include pipe sizes and alignments, stream or drainage ditch widths, and utility relocations. Additionally, any required federal or state permits are secured.

Easement Acquisition

The project team works with property owners to acquire temporary or permanent easements. Easements allow Storm Water Services to access private property during construction and/or to provide future maintenance of the drainage system.

Bid

A competitive bidding process is held to select a qualified contractor to construct the project. By state law, the lowest responsive, responsible bidder is selected, and Charlotte City Council is asked to award the contract.

Construction

Residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the project area are notified when construction is expected to begin and end. Once construction is underway, the main point of contact is a Storm Water Services’ construction inspector.

Warranty

All materials and workmanship is guaranteed by the contractor for one year after the project is accepted. Storm Water Services’ construction inspector conducts 6- and 11-month inspections during the warranty period. Upon notification, the contractor will return to the site to make repairs at no additional cost.

What is an easement?

What is a Conservation Easement?

Natural areas, called vegetative stream buffers, were created to remove pollutants, sediment and excess nutrients from stormwater runoff. They improve surface water quality and provide habitat for birds, turtles, frogs, insects and other wildlife. To protect buffers, Storm Water Services has written agreements with landowners that transfer with any sale of the land to a new owner. Known as a conservation easement, the agreement places restrictions on a portion of the property to protect vegetative buffers and allow access for Storm Water Services to monitor the area over time. Periodically you may see staff inspecting these areas. Storm Water Services has written agreements with landowners that transfer with any sale of the land to a new owner. 

View an interactive map of Storm Water Conservation Easements on the City of Charlotte Open Data Portal and search to see if you have a conservation easement on your property.

Questions? Contact:

Erin Shanaberger
City of Charlotte Watershed Planning & Project Implementation Supervisor
704.562.2691
Erin.Shanaberger@charlottenc.gov

Is an easement necessary to fix stormwater issues?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services may address stormwater issues on private property when a storm drainage easement approved by Storm Water Services is granted for that specific reason. Until an easement has been executed and recorded at the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds office by Storm Water Services, maintenance of any portion of a storm drainage system on private property remains the legal responsibility of the property owner.

If I grant an easement, is it still my property?

Yes. An easement does not give or take away property. An easement is a property right granting permission by one party to another party for access to property for a specific reason. However, there are certain restrictions for drainage easements accepted by Storm Water Services so that the area can function as it is designed. For example, in a storm drainage easement, the flow of water cannot be blocked by the property owner and buildings, swimming pools, walls and other structures are not allowed within the easement area.

What’s allowed in a Storm Water Services easement?

Any improvements within the easement and/or near the easement boundaries must be reviewed and approved by Storm Water Services. Additions that may receive approval include:

• Fences (most types but not permanent features such as stone, block or concrete)
• Trees (as long as the root system is not a threat to the drainage system)
• Plants, shrubs and flowers (as long as they are not invasive species or nuisance vegetation)

Doug Lozner, PE
Engineering Minor Program Manager
704.432.0964
Doug.Lozner@charlottenc.gov

Stewart Edwards, PE
Design Program Manager
704.634.9573
Stewart.Edwards@charlottenc.gov

What’s NOT permitted in a Storm Water Services easement?

• Trees planted over stormwater pipe.
• Tennis courts or swimming pools. 
• Dams or anything that might block the flow of water. 
• Permanent structures not intended to be moved, such as walls or structures made of brick, block or concrete.

• Sheds or other buildings.

When working within an easement, Storm Water Services may:

• Remove fallen trees and large debris from creeks when those obstructions create a qualifying drainage problem.
• Clear storm drain pipes, catch basins and culverts.
• Control severe creek bank erosion when necessary to protect water quality and adjacent properties.
• Repair sinkholes that occur over drainage pipe systems.

When working within an easement, Storm Water Services does NOT:

• Clean up sticks, leaves or debris on private property after heavy rain or flooding.
• Repair or replace private property damaged by stormwater runoff or flooding, including but not limited to air conditioners, heating units, fences, gardens, lawns, shrubs, mailboxes and dog houses.
• Clear out incidental debris from creeks and drainage ditches such as trash, leaves, grass clippings or small tree branches.
• Clear cut vegetation from creek banks as part of routine maintenance.
• Mow a ditch or storm drainage easement on private property.
• Re-grade or re-seed a storm drainage easement after the project warranty period.

The Charlotte Storm Water ordinance describes the limitation of the City’s maintenance responsibility. Specifically, Section 18-46 of the Charlotte Code of Ordinances outlines responsibility. North Carolina General Statutes, in particular Chapter 156, describe general drainage laws regarding the natural flow of surface water.