2026 10 20 Council Meeting Packet

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PUBLIC WORKS 
 
MEMORANDUM 
 
TO:  Bridget Roberts, Interim City Manager  
   
FROM:  Ben Burchfield, Public Works Director 
 
DATE:  October 7, 2026 
 
SUBJECT: ARP MS4 Masterplan 
 
Background 
 
The Athens Storm water Master plan, completed in conjunction with the City’s  engineering 
partner Gresham Smith,  provides a comprehensive  analysis for addressing existing and future 
stormwater challenges throughout Athens . The Plan was  funded through the America n Rescue 
Plan (ARP) grant and  was developed in response to Athens' history  of impaired waterways and 
localized flooding, aging and undersized drainage infrastructure, continued urbanization creep, 
and need for a targeted long-term capital investment plan.  
 
The Masterplan evaluates both the City's "primary" stormwater system consisting principally of 
Oostanaula Creek, North Mouse Creek, other “gray-line” tributaries, bridges, culverts, and open 
channels, in addition to i ts "secondary" system, consisting primarily of storm sewer pipes, 
culverts, ditches, and detention facilities. Staff decided that the secondary system analysis 
needed to concentrate on three historically problematic areas: Tellico Ave/Towanda Trail, Leveck 
Addition to Downtown Athens, and Cook Dr south along North White Street. 
 
Athens has a documented history of significant flooding, particularly along Oostanaula Creek and 
North Mouse Creek. Historical events include the March 1973 flood and the May 2003 event, 
during which more than 11 inches of rain fell in Athens within approx imately 35 hours. These 
events, in addition to even smaller recurrence interval events, result in widespread damage to 
the waterbodies within Athens through alteration & sedimentation. The Plan also recognizes that 
local waterways are identified as being impaired for E. coli, and nutrients, which are derivatives 
of rural agricultural activity and utility overflows . These are issues that are all documented and 
identified for each waterway segment on the TDEC 303d list. 
 
17
Work Session 
October 12, 2026