Local Projects
For County-Wide Flood Prevention and Water Quality

The County of Roanoke is dedicated to the continual improvement of our water resources.  In 1997, the Roanoke Valley Regional Stormwater Management Plan was drafted.  This plan was a joint effort between the County of Roanoke,  City of Roanoke, Town of Vinton, and City of Salem, and focused on  what policies and procedures were needed to minimize flooding in the Roanoke Valley.  The study evaluated current problem areas that currently exist as well as problems that will exists due to projected growth up to year 2020. The County of Roanoke has utilized this Stormwater Management Plan to begin implementing policies and procedures that will accomplish the goal of flood mitigation on a regional basis. 

The Roanoke Valley is a very vulnerable area for flood and debris damage.  The Roanoke River usually experiences the most severe flooding as a result of heavy rains associated with tropical storms or long-lasting rain events, while the Roanoke River tributaries experience the most flooding during flash floods, when stormwater transported through pipes, overflow.   This type of flooding is compounded when the larger streams create back-ups in the smaller tributaries. 

Roanoke County has taken steps to address flooding and stormwater issues that came to light in this Regional Plan.  The County has begun projects that are designed to mitigate the flooding that this valley is vulnerable to.  Listed below are the projects that have been launched by the County of Roanoke to do just that.

• Hidden Valley Stormwater Facility
• Garst Mill Park Stream Restoration
• Palm Valley Streamside Planting