Southeast Durham Watershed Improvement Plan (SP-2023-01)

Project Manager

Raven McLaurin | 984-327-8642, [email protected]

Project Status

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application window will close on October 2, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

To view the RFQ, please visit the City of Durham's Bid Postings webpage: https://www.durhamnc.gov/bids.aspx

Project Description 

The City will work with a consultant team to prepare an engineering study and assessment of southeast Durham watersheds, which include Stirrup Iron, Brier, and Lick Creek watersheds. This Watershed Improvement Plan is part of the City of Durham’s efforts to improve the health of our creeks and to comply with water quality regulations. For information, email [email protected] or Raven McLaurin.

Descripción del Proyecto

La ciudad hare un estudio de los arroyos, quebradas y tierra en las cuencas hidrográficas del sureste de Durham para aprender las condiciones ambientales. Se incluyen las cuencas de Sirrup Iron, Brier Creek, y Lick Creek. La evaluación es como un examen de doctor para la salud de las cuencas y sus ríos. La información de los estudios ayudará a los esfuerzos de la Ciudad de Durham para preparar un plan para identificar importantes proyectos de restauración que mejorarán la calidad del agua y la salud de las cuencas del sureste de Durham. La Ciudad trabajará  con un equipo de las compañías ingenieros y científicos para este proyecto. Para obtener más información, envíanos un correo electrónico a [email protected] o Raven McLaurin.

Watershed Information 

The Stirrup Iron, Brier, and Lick Creek watersheds are part of the Neuse River Basin, which flows into the Pamlico Sound before entering the  Atlantic Ocean near Hobucken, NC. Lick Creek flows into Falls Lake, which is Raleigh's drinking supply. Falls Lake has a nutrient management strategy that requires reductions in nitrogen and phosphorous. The State has listed Lick Creek as impaired for benthos or aquatic life. The NC Division of Water Quality labels streams as "impaired" if they are not meeting their assigned uses. 

Stirrup Iron, and Brier Creeks flow into Crabtree Creek, which flows to the Neuse River. This river is subject to the Neuse Nutrient Strategy Rules. The State has listed Brier Creek, and Little Brier Creek which is a tributary of Brier Creek, as impaired for a fish consumption advisory downstream of Durham in Wake County.

These southeast Durham watersheds cover approximately 33 square miles of southeast Durham County. About half of the area is within City limits, some of which extend into Wake County. Land use includes a mix of suburban housing as well as commercial, industrial, rural, and agricultural areas.

stirrup iron Creek, brier creek & lick Creek Field Assessment

The City will work with the consultant team to assess Southeast Durham watersheds. An assessment is like a health check-up for a watershed and its streams. This assessment will evaluate current stream conditions and water quality to identify potential improvements. The final plan will highlight projects that can improve the health of these watersheds and create value for the community.

Additional Project Information

Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) (PDF) can be physical devices such as stormwater ponds or activities such as picking up pet waste that protect the environment from polluted runoff. SCMs can be used to prevent, reduce or offset stormwater runoff and pollution. They are also referred to as “Best Management Practices” or BMPs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines BMPs as “techniques, measures or structural controls that are used to manage the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff in the most cost-effective manner.”

Public Information Sessions

Past Sessions

August 21,2023 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.


Upcoming Information Sessions

To be Announced 

  • If you would like to join the mailing list to receive invitations to upcoming public information sessions, please email [email protected].

additional resources