Charleston Water Plan

Project Description

Located on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean formed by the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, the City of Charleston is vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surges, stormwater, and groundwater intrusion. It also experiences regular flooding from high tides and rainfall. As an outcome of the 2019 Charleston Dutch Dialogues, a collaborative workshop involving local and Dutch experts in water systems, the City of Charleston sought to create an integrated, comprehensive master plan to guide the development and implementation of projects and policies to maintain and manage water over the next quarter century.

As nature-based design and adaptive management specialists on a planning team led by Black & Veatch and including Waggoner Ball and Moffatt & Nichol, Biohabitats helped the City understand, plan for, prioritize, manage, and adapt to current and future flood risks citywide. After assessing current and future risks, Biohabitats identified opportunities to mitigate those risks by utilizing nature-based and green infrastructure. The project team provided regulatory and policy recommendations to support the planning, design, engineering, and construction of the recommended water management projects to increase the City’s adaptation and flood resilience. The project included equitable and inclusive outreach, education, and engagement with the people of Charleston.

Representing the City, the consultant team collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to integrate nature-based strategies into their efforts to protect the Charleston Peninsula shoreline.