750 Main Street
P.O. Box 20000
Grand Junction, CO 81502-5013
Phone:(970) 244-1765
Fax:(970)255-7171 |
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Stormwater Management
In Mesa County |
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Stormwater Management is a catch all phrase for the many facets associated with handling runoff from rainstorms and melting snow. There are two main categories that are often
associated with Stormwater Management: Quantity and Quality.
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Quantity |
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Management of stormwater quantity involves flood control, floodplain/floodway management, drainage design, and maintenance of stormwater drains and ditches. With the multitudes of entities involved in stormwater / floodplain / drainage management in the Grand Valley, there is no one entity singly responsible for stormwater. Many of the existing drainages are choked full of trees and debris as entities have argued over who is responsible for maintenance. Land owners also make maintenance of drainage ditches and detention basins difficult if houses or fencing block access to crucial areas. Capital construction of detention basins, large stormwater drains, and outfalls is also a jurisdictional issue. The 5-2-1 Drainage Authority was formed in June 2004, to address many of the issues described above. More information on the Drainage Authority |
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Any drainage complaints within the Boundary of the 5-2-1 Drainage Authority should be referred to the Drainage Authority at 263-8301 or visit their website at http://www.521drainageauthority.org/.
The Drainage Authority will research the site and refer to the appropriate jurisdiction (Mesa County, Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Grand Valley Drainage District, etc.) Stormwater Management Manual
Outside the Boundary contact Julie Constan at 255-5045
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Quality |
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Management of stormwater quality can defined as how “clean” the runoff water is when it reaches local washes, creeks, and rivers. Stormwater runoff is made up of rain, snow and hail as well as snowmelt runoff, surface runoff and drainage associated with the storm events. Stormwater can pickup pollutants such as sediment, oil and grease, and nutrients, as it travels and can become a major source of water pollution. Erosion control practices such as silt fence, sediment setting basins, and illicit discharge detection and prevention programs are examples of stormwater quality management. |
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As mandated under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permitting program consisting of two phases. Phase I, started in 1990, addresses the large metropolitan areas of the country. Phase II, started in 2003, smaller urbanized areas, such as the Grand Valley. As with stormwater quantity many agencies are involved with stormwater quality, Mesa County, City of Grand Junction, Town of Palisade, Grand Junction Drainage District, Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Grand Valley Water Users, and School District 51 are all regulated by Phase II stormwater regulations. |
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Phase II Stormwater Program
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The Phase II Stormwater Program involves six programs:
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Local Stormwater Construction Permits are issued in the orange area only, for sites that disturb 1 or more areas.
Call 5-2-1 Drainage Authority, 263-7401 if your site is in the orange area.
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