Stormwater Master Plan

Deschutes River during fall. Clear water with colorful trees on the banks, sky is blue in the background.

The City of Bend is updating the long-range plan for Bend’s stormwater system. Check out the Stormwater Master Plan Update Project to learn more.

The Bend City Council unanimously approved the City’s first formal Stormwater Master Plan in 2014, following a thorough revision process and public engagement.

Additional Master Plan Documents

Revised Master Plan Documents

Background

In 2006, the City began developing its first formal Stormwater Master Plan. This plan aims to address stormwater quantity and quality issues in Bend.

Public Review and Comments

The 2008 draft of the City’s Stormwater Master Plan underwent significant changes after analyzing new data and meeting regulatory requirements. Public review of the draft took place at two workshops on January 29 and February 5, 2009, where concerns were raised about the high cost and necessity of the proposed strategy, influenced by upcoming permit requirements for the City’s underground injection controls (UICs).

In April 2014, two additional workshops were held to inform the public and gather input on the project. Feedback received by April 30, 2014, helped shape the Council’s preferred approach, which was discussed in a work session on May 7, 2014. A revised draft was released in May 2014 for public comment until June 30, 2014, with final revisions made based on this feedback.

Permit Negotiations and Changes

The City, along with other municipalities in the state, spent several years negotiating science-based permit conditions. These negotiations led to improved knowledge and changes in the final permit requirements, significantly affecting the City’s proposed stormwater strategy. The City received its UIC permit in May 2013, one of the first in the country. To ensure the final permit requirements were reasonable, the City paused the Stormwater Master Plan project until these requirements were known.

Understanding the Current System

City staff focused on understanding the current stormwater system and processes to inform long-term policy and finalize the master plan strategy. This effort ensures that the plan meets regulatory requirements effectively.

Purpose of the Stormwater Master Plan

Once completed, the Stormwater Master Plan will serve as the oversight plan for addressing stormwater issues. It will provide:

  • An overall strategy for stormwater management.
  • Delineation of drainage areas and runoff quantities.
  • Programmatic goals for addressing stormwater quantity and quality concerns.

Phase One Completion

The first phase of the Master Plan development included:

  • Developing the financing and utility structure to support stormwater programs.
  • Improving understanding of the City’s stormwater system.

Additional Information

Note

The Stormwater Master Plan should not be confused with the City’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, which focuses solely on stormwater quality requirements for drainage to surface waters and UICs.

Contacts