Master Drainage Plan Update (2026)
Project Overview
The Town of Buena Vista is updating its Master Drainage Plan to guide how stormwater is managed across the community now and into the future. This plan provides a long-term engineering strategy to analyze local topography, land use, and hydrology in order to reduce flooding risk, protect public infrastructure, and support safe development.
The updated plan will replace the Town’s existing 2014 Drainage Plan and Drainage Study and serve as the primary reference for drainage planning and stormwater improvements moving forward.
Project Purpose
This update will:
Evaluate existing drainage features and stormwater infrastructure
Identify areas vulnerable to flooding
Assess current and future drainage needs
Prioritize improvements to support community growth and safety
The plan provides a data-driven framework for managing stormwater while protecting roads, homes, and public facilities.
Study Area
The Master Drainage Plan Update covers the entire Town of Buena Vista, ensuring that drainage systems are evaluated comprehensively and consistently across all neighborhoods and development areas.
What’s Being Studied
The project includes analysis of:
Land use and surface characteristics
Stormwater flow rates
Existing drainage channels and detention basins
Storage and detention requirements for future development
Opportunities for regional stormwater facilities
This technical evaluation supports practical recommendations for capital improvements and development standards.
Project Consultant
Engineering analysis and plan preparation are being conducted by:
RG and Associates, LLC
on behalf of the Town of Buena Vista.
Project Status
Current Phase: Master Drainage Plan Update (Draft/Final under review)
Once adopted, this plan will:
Supersede the 2014 Drainage Plan & Drainage Study
Inform future capital improvement planning
Guide drainage requirements for new development
Connection to the 2025 Comprehensive Town Plan:
WE Big Idea 3: Protect water resources and plan for long-term resilience
WE Action 3A: Integrate water and land use planning
WE Action 3C: Reduce flood risk and improve stormwater systems
The Master Drainage Plan Update advances these goals by providing a town-wide hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to manage stormwater, reduce localized flooding, and protect public and private infrastructure. By identifying basin-specific storage needs and prioritizing improvements, the plan supports responsible growth and long-term water system resilience.
TCS Big Idea 7: Improve utility resiliency and sustainability planning
TCS Action 7A: Hazard mitigation for utilities
TCS Action 6A: Utility growth alignment
This update supports utility resilience by evaluating existing drainage infrastructure, establishing design criteria for future facilities, and aligning stormwater capacity with development patterns. The plan provides the technical foundation for capital planning that protects streets, utilities, and transportation corridors from storm-related damage.
LUCC Big Idea 1: Implement the Future Land Use Map and associated land use vision
LUCC Action 1D: Coordinate long-range planning, zoning updates, and capital improvements
LUCC Action 1C: Prioritize infill and redevelopment in existing service areas
By linking drainage capacity to land use patterns, the Master Drainage Plan ensures growth occurs where infrastructure can safely function. It supports orderly development and helps mitigate flood risk in vulnerable basins identified across the community.
Building on Adopted Plans
The Master Drainage Plan Update provides the technical framework needed to implement stormwater and resilience goals across multiple adopted Town plans:
- Water Resources Master Plan (2021)
Calls for integrated water system planning and protection of water infrastructure. The drainage update complements this plan by addressing stormwater as a core component of the Town’s overall water management strategy. - Source Water Protection Plan (2016)
Drainage and stormwater improvements help reduce erosion, sediment transport, and contamination risk pathways tied to runoff and storm events. - Water Resources Master Plan (2021)
Emphasizes responsible management of water systems and protection of water quality. Drainage improvements reduce system stress during storm events and support controlled runoff and detention practices. - Hwy 24 Access Control Plan (2014)
Helps align corridor decisions with stormwater conveyance needs and risk areas along key access routes. - Parking Analysis (2015)
Downtown and event-area drainage considerations often intersect with surface design, runoff capture, and operational impacts during peak use. - Transportation Master Plan (2004)
Identifies roadway safety and infrastructure reliability as priorities. Drainage findings inform roadway design and capital projects by addressing runoff, culvert capacity, and flood-prone corridors. - Recreation & Trails Master Plan (2016)
Promotes protection of natural resources and trail infrastructure. Drainage planning supports safe trail crossings, protects open space from erosion, and improves stormwater management near recreational assets. - Three-Mile Plan (2025)
Guides coordinated growth at the Town’s edges. Drainage basin analysis helps ensure annexation and fringe development areas are planned with adequate stormwater infrastructure.
Why This Matters
A modern drainage plan helps Buena Vista:
Reduce flood risk
Protect property and infrastructure
Improve stormwater management
Plan responsibly for growth
Increase resilience to extreme weather events
This update ensures that drainage decisions are based on current data, modern standards, and long-term community needs.
Share your Stormwater Story!
We’re updating Buena Vista’s Master Drainage Plan to better manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect roads, homes, and public spaces.
We want to hear from you.
Have you ever experienced:
Flooding in your yard, driveway, or street?
Ponding water after heavy rain or snowmelt?
Erosion, ice buildup, or drainage problems near your home or business?
Trouble walking, biking, or driving because of runoff or standing water?
Tell us your story:
Use the space below to share:
Where the issue happened (street or neighborhood)
What you experienced
When it tends to occur (rain, snowmelt, certain seasons)
How it affects you or your property
Photos are welcome if you have them.
Your input will help the Town:
Identify problem areas
Prioritize drainage improvements
Make sure future projects focus on real community needs
Thank you for helping shape a safer, more resilient Buena Vista.
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Photo of ponding on Barnwood Drive
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Share Ponding on Barnwood @ HoR Med. Ctr. on Facebook Share Ponding on Barnwood @ HoR Med. Ctr. on Twitter Share Ponding on Barnwood @ HoR Med. Ctr. on Linkedin Email Ponding on Barnwood @ HoR Med. Ctr. link
Ponding on Barnwood @ HoR Med. Ctr.
It doesn’t take much moisture to cause significant ponding in a swale on Barnwood Drive, located between the medical center parking lot and the Deerhammer Distillery building, just east of the Police Station. Because there is no infrastructure on the Deerhammer property to receive and move stormwater draining from the medical center parking lot, that water quickly accumulates in the street with no place to go, making the sidewalk impassable and the street hazardous to drive. In effect, this portion of Barnwood Drive becomes a small detention pond.
