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Stormwater Projects
What does the Town do?
In addition to the regular maintenance and upkeep of our stormwater system, the town works to implement other long-term solutions that help mitigate the harmful effects of stormwater. Learn about these projects below.
For a longer list of stormwater improvement projects, click here.
Progress on Phosphorus Reduction
The Town has a comprehensive phosphorus control plan as required under federal permits. Our permit requires the Town to reduce its annual phosphorus discharge to Lake Champlain by approximately 172 lbs. per year. This target must be met by 2036.
Less than halfway into the compliance schedule, the Town has reduced total annual phosphorus discharge by approximately 112.5 lbs., or 65.4% through the completion of multiple projects.
Current Projects
- Everbreeze Neighborhood Phosphorus Control Project
- Midnight Pass Neighborhood Phosphorus Control Project
- Airport Park Phosphorus Control Project
Stormwater improvements on Everbreeze Drive are a key part of the Town’s Phosphorus Control Plan, aimed at reducing pollution entering Lake Champlain. This initiative will capture and treat stormwater runoff in underground tanks before it flows into a tributary of Smith Creek. The treatment process involves slowing the water within the tanks, allowing pollutants to settle. Additionally, the project will mitigate streambank erosion by reducing high flows during storm events.
As part of the Town’s Phosphorus Control Plan to reduce pollution in Lake Champlain, stormwater improvements on Midnight Pass will help address runoff. Underground tanks will collect and treat stormwater before it enters a tributary of Smith Creek. Water will be slowed within the tanks, allowing pollutants to settle. This project will also help prevent streambank erosion by reducing high flow volumes during heavy storms.
Stormwater improvements at Airport Park are part of the Town’s ongoing Phosphorus Control Plan to reduce pollution in Lake Champlain. This project would create new stormwater detention facilities designed to collect runoff and allow it to naturally soak into the ground. By preventing large storm events from quickly washing pollution from impervious surfaces like parking lots into the lake, it will help preserve water quality.
A culvert beneath Middle Road, which channels water across the road, has struggled to manage water flow and has caused flooding in the past. This project aims to eliminate these issues by replacing the old culvert with a larger concrete structure that can handle increased water volumes, thus preventing flooding and erosion along the roadway.
As part of the Town’s Phosphorus Control Plan, an erosion control project is planned to be implemented along Colchester Pond Road near the dam. The improvements would reduce runoff erosion from the unpaved roadway by installing new rock-lined ditches, enhancing existing ditches, and upgrading an undersized stormwater pipe.
As part of the Town’s Phosphorus Control Plan, an erosion control project in the Canyon Estates Neighborhood is in the initial planning stages. This project’s goal is to reduce pollution entering Lake Champlain by addressing erosion and scouring in a drainage gully. The drainage would be lined with large rocks, slowing water flow, and preventing the loss of sediments.
Recently Completed Projects
This project, which received a grant from VTrans in the amount of $295,000, was installed in 2024. It has achieved its goal in reducing phosphorus and sediment loading into Lake Champlain. A gravel wetland (constructed wetland) was installed where plants uptake pollution, and sediments are trapped in the gravel before they can leave the neighborhood.
This project involved upgrading the stormwater outfall located behind the Town's Police Station. This project was completed with the assistance of grant funds from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and was 100% grant funded.
This project involved improvements to the stormwater pond on Laura Lane. The pond was excavated 3 feet deeper, debris was cleared, and the side slopes of the pond were extended towards the center. The existing stormwater outlet structure and perforated pipe were removed, and the new outlet pipe was then armored with stone and fabric. A chain link fence was installed around the pond perimeter to protect public safety.