Marietta Region Watershed Action Plan

Challenge

The Borough of Marietta is located at the confluence of Evan’s Run and the Susquehanna River. Typical of most Rivertowns, the Borough is challenged to balance flood resiliency and limited space to manage stormwater with economic vibrancy. With the majority of the watershed drainage area upstream of the Borough limits in adjacent East Donegal Township, a regional approach was necessary to provide quantifiable water quality improvement projects and more specifically, to achieve their MS4 permit requirements.

Solution

LandStudies, Inc. worked with the Borough, PA DCNR and NFWF to develop an approach and funding strategy to provide a comprehensive, community based approach for planning for recreation and economic development that is founded on a base of sound watershed management. The WAP included an audit of the overall MS4 program to identify gaps or weaknesses and to generate a master Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) tailored to the unique needs of Marietta Borough. The results of which, along with input from stakeholders, were used as a guide for the WAP. The resulting WAP identifies strategic locations of existing and proposed BMPs that provide quantifiable water quality benefits along with flood mitigation, stormwater management and habitat improvement. Concept plans were then prepared for the three prioritized projects including a floodplain restoration, riparian buffer and stream restoration and green infrastructure strategies for the Borough.

Services

Assessment | Engineering | MS4 Planning | Master Planning | Funding

Client: Marietta Borough

Location: Marietta, Pa.