Rainfall patterns and intensities continue to change, creating new stormwater management challenges for public and private sector projects. raSmith’s stormwater management consultants help clients analyze existing conditions, manage runoff, meet regulatory requirements, and design infrastructure that supports both water quality and water quantity goals.
Our team applies a practical understanding of hydrology, hydraulics, and ecological systems to land development, redevelopment, transportation, park, roadway, and municipal TIF projects. From best management practices and stormwater infrastructure design to master stormwater management plans, we develop sustainable solutions for municipalities, county agencies, sewerage districts, landowners, developers, businesses, and consulting partners.
raSmith Stormwater Management Services
- Planning
- Watershed and stormwater master plans, including system inventorying and capacity evaluation
- Drainage studies
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit compliance and annual reporting
- User fee and stormwater utility feasibility analyses
- Stormwater ordinance, code, and standards review support
- Stormwater utility creation, credit policies, and rate studies
- Asset management planning support for stormwater utilities
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) planning and implementation support
- Grant preparation and application administration
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) development
- Green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) planning and design (rain gardens, bioretention, bioswales)
- Modeling and Mapping
- Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
- Culvert sizing and evaluations
- Floodplain and floodway mapping and map revisions
- Neighborhood drainage analysis
- Pollutant loading analysis and modeling
- UAS (drone) mapping
- Streambanks, Wetlands, and Permitting
- Streambank stabilization and erosion evaluations
- In-stream restoration and channel improvements
- In-stream habitat improvements
- Wetland screening and delineations
- Waterway and floodplain permitting
- Dredging and grading
- Inspections
- Illicit discharge detection inspections
- Erosion and sediment control planning and inspections
- Drainage investigations
- Best Management Practice (BMP) inspections and audits
- Bathymetric surveys and dredging plans
- UAS (drone) inspections
- Documentation to support regulatory audits and reporting
- Post-construction BMP compliance evaluations and documentation support
Planning and Compliance
Our stormwater planning services support resilient, sustainable community development. From comprehensive watershed master plans to targeted drainage studies, we help municipalities and developers evaluate water flow challenges and plan appropriate responses. We support MS4 permit compliance through detailed annual reporting and guide clients through user-fee feasibility analyses and stormwater utility creation to support long-term program sustainability. Our team provides expertise in TMDL planning and implementation support to advance water quality objectives, while also streamlining grant preparation and administration to help clients navigate and pursue available funding opportunities. Through comprehensive site assessments and SWPPP development, we help our clients mitigate pollution risks and meet applicable regulatory requirements. We also support stormwater ordinance and code reviews to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and local program goals. Green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies are also incorporated to manage runoff at the source while meeting water quality and regulatory objectives.
Hydrologic Modeling and Mapping
Our advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling supports informed stormwater planning and design decisions. From stormwater conveyance pipe sizing and floodplain mapping to neighborhood drainage analysis, our data-driven approach provides clear, actionable insights to support project development. We also offer pollutant loading analysis to help clients better understand and address potential environmental impacts. Our UAS (drone) mapping capabilities deliver high-resolution visuals and topographic data to support effective planning and design efforts.
Streambanks, Wetlands, and Waterway Permitting
raSmith offers expertise in streambank stabilization and erosion control to preserve infrastructure and ecosystems. Our in-stream restoration and habitat improvement designs enhance waterway health and biodiversity. Through comprehensive wetland screening and delineations, we help clients navigate complex environmental regulations. Our team also assists with waterway, dredging, and floodplain permitting to support well-coordinated, compliant project delivery.
Inspections and Auditing
Our inspection services support regulatory confidence and informed decision-making. We perform thorough illicit discharge inspections, drainage investigations, and BMP audits to help identify potential issues early and support water quality goals. Our team also provides erosion and sediment control planning, bathymetric surveys, and dredging plans to help maintain stormwater and waterway functionality. When appropriate, we use drone technology and detailed documentation to support regulatory reviews and reporting requirements with clear documentation that supports transparency and accountability throughout the process. We support post‑construction BMP compliance through inspections, documentation, and maintenance planning to help clients meet long‑term permit obligations.
Why Work With raSmith for Stormwater Management
raSmith helps clients move stormwater projects forward with confidence by navigating regulatory requirements, optimizing system performance, and managing project budgets.
- Practical, experience-driven approach to hydrology and infrastructure design
- Solutions grounded in real-world conditions, construction constraints, and long-term maintenance needs
- Full lifecycle support—from planning and modeling to permitting, design, and compliance
- MS4 program expertise and funding support, including grant preparation and administration
- Collaborative project delivery that helps reduce risk, streamline approvals, and deliver reliable, long-term system performance
Stormwater Management FAQs
What services do stormwater management consultants provide?
Stormwater management consultants support the planning, analysis, design, and implementation of systems that manage runoff and protect water resources. Services may include hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling, drainage and watershed studies, storm sewer and conveyance design, green infrastructure and BMP evaluation, inspection and maintenance planning, and regulatory and permitting support.
When is a stormwater management plan required?
Stormwater management plans are typically required for development, redevelopment, transportation, park, municipal, and infrastructure projects that alter existing drainage patterns, increase impervious surfaces, or affect runoff rates or volumes. Plans are often necessary to address water-quality treatment, peak-flow control, floodplain impacts, erosion control, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
How does stormwater modeling support project design and decision-making?
Stormwater modeling allows engineers to evaluate runoff characteristics, conveyance capacity, flood elevations, and system performance under existing and proposed conditions. Modeling supports the comparison of design alternatives, the identification of capacity constraints or flooding risks, and the evaluation of regulatory compliance prior to final design and construction.
What are stormwater BMP inspections and why are they important?
Stormwater BMP inspections assess the condition and performance of best management practices used to manage runoff and reduce pollutant loading. Inspections help identify early maintenance needs, verify compliance with permit requirements, document BMP performance, and address deficiencies before they result in system failure or enforcement issues.
How can stormwater planning help address flooding concerns?
Stormwater planning provides a data-driven understanding of watershed behavior, drainage infrastructure capacity, and runoff patterns. Through studies such as drainage analysis, watershed or master plans, and targeted modeling, stormwater planning helps identify strategic improvements that reduce flooding risk and improve long-term system resilience.
Does raSmith provide stormwater-related permitting support?
Yes, raSmith provides permitting support related to stormwater, waterways, floodplains, and wetlands. Services include impact evaluations, permit application preparation, agency coordination, and regulatory compliance support to help projects advance efficiently while meeting applicable environmental requirements.
