Ft Wayne Times

Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne have announced an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a Planning Assistance Study (PAS) to develop a new Stormwater Master Plan.

A Stormwater Master Plan is a comprehensive framework that helps communities assess and prioritize stormwater issues, planning for future management. It aims to prevent problems such as flooding, poor drainage, and standing water while helping communities meet regulatory requirements to protect the environment.

The first step in updating the plan involves collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a Planning Assistance Study. The Allen County Board of Commissioners requested this assistance in February 2023. According to the commissioners, “The Water Resources Development Act of 1974 gives authority for the Corps to assist in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources. Their study will also incorporate the recently adopted All in Allen comprehensive land use plan to help us create a complete picture of water use today and into the future.”

The master plan will analyze major watersheds within Allen County. This initiative is a collaboration between several local entities including Allen County Surveyor, Fort Wayne City Utilities, Maumee River Basin Commission, and officials from Huntertown, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven, and Woodburn.

In partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, this working group is launching a multi-year study aimed at updating storm drainage guidelines by assessing how land use and development affect flooding, water quality, and environmental factors. Given Allen County’s three rivers and numerous streams and drains encompassing over 60 major watersheds, this master plan will address both current conditions and future developments as projected in the All in Allen plan. The study will also consider revisions due to climate change impacts on rainfall patterns.

The existing Stormwater Master Plan was published in 1972 with projections through 2020. According to Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey, “Hydrologic engineering practices have changed a lot in the last 50 years and this plan should reflect our current stormwater technical standards. The new master plan will apply current engineering methodology, technology, and land use data to create a new 30-year comprehensive plan.”

The project is expected to take five years to complete. Phase I has commenced and will be completed within 18-24 months at an estimated cost of $458,000—funded equally by contributions from the U.S. Army Corps (50%), City of Fort Wayne (25%), and Allen County (25%). The project will be jointly managed by Allen County Surveyor’s Office and Fort Wayne City Utilities.

"The stormwater master plan is not just about flood prevention; it plays a vital role in protecting public health and the environment," said Anne Marie Smrchek, Manager of Stormwater Engineering at Fort Wayne City Utilities.

Phase I includes studying current hydrology across each watershed in Allen County along with allowable release rates analysis for an updated culvert manual. Future phases will involve opportunities for public input.