Stormwater Maintenance & Drainage Policies

The City of Gallatin Engineering Division and Public Works Department oversee and maintain the City’s public stormwater system to prevent flooding during a normal rain event in the public right of way (ROW), such as public streets and sidewalks. This system is designed to handle typical amounts of rain and may not be able to handle flash flooding or larger flooding events.

Our stormwater conveyance system includes:

• storm drains, manholes, and driveway pipes/culverts
• ditches and drainage channels
• drainage pipes
• Regional detention ponds (Examples: Richland Park, Municipal Park)

Services We Manage:

To ensure the public stormwater conveyance system is working properly, we manage:

• Flooding to the public roadway
  • In the event immediate flooding hazards appear, the City will remove potential flood obstructions as needed.
• Severe erosion impacting or threatening public utilities or public roadway
• Roadside ditches (See Policy in menu box)
• Driveway culverts (See Policy in menu box)
• Ditch to Pipe conversion or driveway widening  (See Policy in menu box)
• Drains under the roadway
• Clogged storm drains

Please contact City Engineering Office with concerns regarding the above. (615-451-5965)

Services We Do Not Manage:

Some stormwater concerns, typically those that do not affect public safety, are not managed by the City of Gallatin and are therefore the responsibility of the property owner such as:

• Removal of weeds and vegetation
• Mowing ditches
• Fallen trees not blocking the flow of draining water
• Mosquitoes
• Stormwater runoff from one private property to another private property
• Underground springs or groundwater
• Flooding caused by being near or in a floodplain
• Sinkholes on private property and/or not affecting public utilities or public roadways
• Drainage ditches may not be obstructed without approval of City Engineer (Municipal Code 15-8)
• Drainage conveyances determined to be under the State’s jurisdiction, will be maintained in a way compliant with their regulations.

The policies above apply to all drainage infrastructure within City Right of Way (ROW) or easements.  Infrastructure within State ROW or easements is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Their contact number is (615) 451-5824.

The City of Gallatin assumes no responsibility for the maintenance, installation or improvement of pipes or stormwater systems on private property. Where a drainage easement exists, the City may maintain, install or improve a stormwater system at its option for the clearly defined general public welfare.

Managing Stormwater on Your Property

Property owners are responsible for managing and maintaining stormwater issues affecting their private property. Below are a few ways you can help reduce the impact of stormwater and protect your property.

Reduce Stormwater Runoff

• Re-direct downspouts – direct downspouts away from impervious surfaces and towards an area where water is able to soak into the ground
• Plant a rain garden – rain gardens collect and slow the flow of stormwater runoff.
• Install a rain barrel – rain barrels collect and store rainwater that can be reused to water lawns and gardens.
• Plant trees – trees work in two ways to help reduce stormwater runoff. In addition to absorbing stormwater, leaves and branches intercept and store rain to delay the flow of stormwater runoff.

Protect Your Property

• Elevate or relocate service equipment – in the event of a flood, electrical, HVAC, or other service equipment can be protected by elevating or relocating to an area not likely to be affected by flooding.
• Install a sump pump – sump pumps help keep basements and crawls spaces dry by pumping water out of areas vulnerable to flooding or groundwater.
• Install a flood barrier – flood barriers prevent water from entering areas such as doors, windows or crawl spaces. Flood barriers are available online or from your local hardware store.
• Get flood insurance – the best way to protect your property from flood damage is to get flood insurance.

These are just a few of the ways you can help protect your property and reduce stormwater runoff. 

Flood Risk Information

During periods of heavy rain it is important that you know your flood hazard risks and take proper flood safety precautions in case of potential flooding. The National Weather Service will post flash flood warnings or watches when the conditions are present.

Know the terms used to describe flooding:

• Flood Watch – flooding is possible
• Flood Warning – flooding is occurring or will occur soon

Keep alert to rising waters in the streams in your area.

Tune in:

• Local radio stations – WSM (AM 650)
• Local television channels – ABC 2 (WKRN), NBC 4 (WSMV), News Channel 5 (WTVF), and Fox 17 (WZTV)
• All hazards NOAA Weather Radios (NWR) are available for purchase in local electronic retail or department stores and provide access to the NOAA Weather Radio System.