Our team conducted an existing conditions stormwater analysis for Osprey Lake and its upstream contributing drainage area

Osprey Lake Drainage Improvements

The Osprey Lake Drainage Basin (OLDB) is a tidally-influenced, 1,113-acre watershed fed by nine drainage sub-basins that experienced routine flooding during major storms. Among the affected areas was the basin comprising North Litchfield Beach, a residential subdivision of single family homes. It’s the most upstream area, and each of the downstream crossings needed analyzing to help address the drainage deficiencies.

OLDB outfalls through two 36-inch outfall pipes restricted by two 3-inch wide hand crank weirs and an overflow weir. The hand crank operated weirs were lowered for major storm events to prevent flooding but were not left open because they lowered the water surface elevation in Osprey Lake and created an unsightly bank and impacted the lake’s salinity levels. During certain storm events, flooding occurred upstream of Osprey Lake. Our team conducted an existing conditions stormwater analysis which indicated the upstream flooding was due to undersized culvert crossings and an undersized outfall at Osprey Lake. To remedy the flooding problems, we recommended improvements to eight of the nine upstream crossline pipes based.

Now complete, flooding will no longer be an issue for the residents of North Litchfield Beach.