What is the Stormwater System?

The City of Salem’s stormwater system manages rainwater runoff to prevent flooding, protect water quality, and maintain local waterways. It includes over miles of pipes, streams, ditches, detention basins, and storm drainage structures.

Salem’s stormwater programs provide essential services such as system maintenance, flooding response, water quality monitoring, street sweeping, spill response, and public education.

Check out Salem’s Stormwater Utility web page for more details! 

Last Updated:

Salem’s Water System Master Plan was last comprehensively updated in 2020 and follows a 5-year update cycle.

Why Update Now?

Due for its next update. This cycle includes updates to:

  • Glenn-Gibson Basin
  • Upper Claggett Basin
  • West Bank Basin

Click here to view the 2020 Stormwater Master Plan.

City of Salem Drainage Basins
City of Salem Drainage Basin

The Good News

  • Salem has a strong Floodplain Management Plan and has achieved a Class 3 rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) - placing it in the top 1% of over 1,740 communities nationwide.
  • As of 2024, residents in the floodplain receive a 35% discount on most federally backed flood insurance premiums.
  • The City has invested in green infrastructure like rain gardens and bioswales to naturally manage runoff.

Challenges

  • Salem’s location in a river valley increases flood risk, especially during heavy rain or snowmelt events.
  • Climate change is shifting precipitation patterns - more winter rain, less snow - leading to higher stream flows and increased flood potential.

Preliminary Updates

While assessments are still in progress, early recommendations from the updated plan may include:

  • Flood risk reduction projects
  • Upgrading undersized or deteriorated pipes to handle larger storm events
  • Expanding green infrastructure to reduce runoff and improve water quality

How Residents Help

Everyone has a role in protecting Salem’s stormwater system. Here’s how you can help:

  • Keep storm drains clear of leaves, trash, and debris and;
  • Redirect down spouts to your yard instead of the storm drain
  • Never dump anything into storm drains - only rain should go down the drain.
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly to reduce runoff pollution.