The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control contracted with Verdantas to perform a flood mitigation feasibility study for the southern portion of the Town of Little Creek.

Little Creek is a small, rural community located in eastern Kent County, between the City of Dover and the Delaware Bay. The town was first settled in the early 1800s and developed a thriving oyster business that led to its growth as a community with homes and businesses.

Today the primary features of Little Creek are its location on the Delaware Bayshore Byway, the Little Creek Wildlife Area, the Little River Boat Ramp and Fishing Pier and the Little Creek Dog Park.

The population of Little Creek has reduced but several historic buildings remain in the town. The Town of Little Creek was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Recurring Flooding

The town has experienced recurring flooding events in recent years which threaten both the existing and future use of roads and public, commercial and residential properties.

The area in front of the Little Creek Grill and the intersection of Main Street (DE-9) and Lowe Street are frequently flooded during even the smaller storm events as well as during times of high tide and strong northeasterly winds.

Flood Mitigation Feasibility Studies

Verdantas had previously conducted a similar flood mitigation study for the town, looking at the northern portion of the stormwater system. This study focused on the southern part of town; on the intersection of Main Street and Lowe Street and on the tidal influences affecting the town’s stormwater system.

For this study, Verdantas performed a natural resources and existing conditions evaluation of the study area and modeled flooding during various storm events. The model provides limits, depths and duration of flooding, considering surface and subsurface drainage features.

Flood mitigation alternatives were identified and evaluated using the model.

An engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost was developed for the recommended alternatives.

Findings

The modeling indicates that significant flooding impacts Main Street and Lowe Street on a frequent basis in an area already impacted by tidal conditions from the Little River and the Delaware Bay.

The drainage infrastructure in and immediately adjacent to the town was installed between the 1930s and 1960s and is not designed to handle current rainfall events.

The existing drainage infrastructure of the southern portion of the town consists of a combination of inlets, storm drain piping, culverts and a shallow farm ditch to the west of Bell Street, as well as a tidal channel on the eastern limit of the town, connecting the system to the Little River.

The existing drainage infrastructure is undersized to manage current rainfall and tidal conditions.

Due to the nature of the water table and soils in Little Creek, components of the system have settled and are not performing as designed.

Action is needed to reduce the frequently occurring flooding impacts to the town.

Related Topics:  climate coastal energy, coastal programs, flood mitigation, resilient communities, sea level rise