Stormwater management is essential for protecting communities from flooding, erosion, and water pollution caused by rainwater runoff. As urban development increases and extreme weather becomes more common, aging infrastructure is struggling to keep up with growing runoff volumes. Without proactive solutions, unmanaged stormwater can cause significant environmental and economic harm.
Understanding Stormwater Management
At its core, stormwater management involves planning, designing, and implementing systems to collect, treat, and safely release stormwater runoff. These systems help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on both natural and built environments. Effective management is critical for meeting regulatory requirements, maintaining infrastructure, and protecting water quality.
The Role of Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs)
One of the key tools in stormwater management is the use of Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs). These engineered systems are designed to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater on a site. Examples include detention ponds, bioretention cells, permeable pavement, and constructed wetlands.
At WithersRavenel, our team specializes in the engineering, design, and construction of SCMs that satisfy complex stormwater permitting requirements. Our work ranges from small-scale site studies to large, innovative stormwater infrastructure projects that meet the needs of today while planning for the future.
We support compliance with local, state, and federal regulations by performing watershed analysis and drainage basin studies to guide our designs and ensure each SCM is tailored to its unique context.
Additional Resources
NCDEQ: SCM Operation & Maintenance
Planning for Resiliency and Flood Protection
More frequent and intense storms, especially in low-lying and coastal areas, are increasing the risk of flash flooding and infrastructure failure. WithersRavenel helps municipalities and developers prepare by creating stormwater master plans that prioritize critical infrastructure upgrades and outline repair and construction costs.
These forward-thinking plans ensure communities are equipped to manage risk, protect public safety, and plan for long-term sustainability.
Green Infrastructure: Function Meets Beauty
Modern stormwater management isn’t just about compliance, it’s also about creating value. Our team incorporates green infrastructure principles to transform SCMs into attractive, multi-functional features. Instead of hiding stormwater systems, we help clients turn them into visible assets such as vegetated ponds, rain gardens, and bioswales.
These features not only manage runoff effectively but also support recreation, environmental education, and local economic development. They help communities meet their stormwater permitting obligations while contributing to the quality of life and environmental stewardship.
WithersRavenel delivers stormwater management solutions that are compliant, resilient, and community-focused. Whether you need support with stormwater permitting, SCM design, or green infrastructure planning, we’re here to help you protect your people, property, and resources for the long term.