The City of Beavercreek has completed its first comprehensive stormwater study in more than 40 years, identifying approximately $15 million in needed culvert and stream improvements across the community.

The yearlong project, led by Woolpert, resulted in a 293-page Drainage Master Plan that was presented to Beavercreek City Council during its Oct. 13, 2025, meeting. The plan provides city leaders with a detailed assessment of the city’s stormwater infrastructure and a prioritized list of repairs and replacements.

“This project gives city council and staff a clear picture of the city’s stormwater infrastructure and the areas that need attention,” said City Manager Pete Landrum. “It’s an important first step toward addressing a problem that has been building for decades. The challenge now is identifying a sustainable way to fund these improvements and continuous maintenance.”

Comprehensive Field Assessment

Led by Project Manager David DiCesare, the study included extensive field data collection throughout Beavercreek’s 27.3 square miles. Crews examined culverts 24 inches in diameter and larger, as well as more than 15 miles of open streams. Smaller culverts typically fall under the city’s routine maintenance program, but larger structures require contracted services.

The inspection covered 120 culverts, totaling 1.75 miles. Each culvert was evaluated on structural and maintenance conditions using a 1-to-3 scale, with 1 indicating “good,” 2 “fair,” and 3 “poor.” Structurally, 48 culverts were rated good, 59 were rated fair, and 13 were rated poor. From a maintenance standpoint, 43 were rated good, 46 were fair, and 31 were poor. Many of the poorly rated culverts consist of corrugated metal pipes, which are prone to corrosion. The plan recommends replacing these with more durable concrete pipes to improve longevity and performance.

More than 15 miles of streams were also inspected. The waterways were divided into 438 segments of 200 feet each and evaluated using the same 1-to-3 rating system. Structurally, 141 segments were rated good, 253 were fair, and 44 were poor. From a maintenance perspective, 145 segments were rated good, 230 were fair, and 63 were poor. Poor structural ratings often indicate failing stream banks or nearby roads, while poor maintenance ratings reflect issues such as fallen trees or sediment buildup that impede natural water flow. In addition, 54 segments were identified as having “threats,” including utility poles, underground cables, manholes, and private property structures affected by erosion.

More than 1,000 data points, including photographs, were collected and will be integrated into the city’s GIS system to create a detailed infrastructure database. This information will help staff prioritize future repairs and track maintenance over time.

Modeling and Cost Estimates

Engineers used the national HEC-RAS 2D model to assess how the city’s drainage system performs under various storm events. The study recommends increasing pipe sizes to meet 25-year design storm criteria and Ohio Department of Transportation standards.

In total, 61 culverts were identified for replacement due to structural deficiencies, material condition, or hydraulic capacity issues. An additional 16 culverts were flagged for immediate maintenance. The estimated cost for culvert replacements is $10.4 million, which includes engineering, surveying, and construction. Immediate culvert maintenance is estimated at $136,000.

Stream segment improvements are expected to cost approximately $3.9 million, with an additional $500,000 needed for immediate stream maintenance. Altogether, the total estimated cost to address Beavercreek’s most pressing stormwater infrastructure needs is approximately $15 million, with an additional $1.2 million needed annually for maintenance.

Funding Challenges

Half of the $15 million in identified stormwater improvements—approximately $7.8 million—can be funded using street levy dollars because those projects are located within the public right-of-way. However, most of these costs were not included in prior levy projections. The remaining $7.1 million cannot be paid for with street levy funds because the infrastructure is located within easements or on private property.

Beavercreek’s last stormwater management study, conducted in 1983, estimated $30 million in needed repairs. While today’s projected costs are lower, officials say the decrease is primarily due to private developers constructing and maintaining stormwater infrastructure as new properties were built over the past several decades. Current development requirements mandate that new projects include their own stormwater systems, reducing the city’s financial responsibility.

“The city does not currently have a dedicated funding source for stormwater projects,” Landrum said. “Maintenance and improvements rely solely on the general fund, which has provided $200,000 per year in 2024 and 2025 and is dependent on available funding and priorities. With $15 million in identified needs, it will take time to make meaningful progress.”

Landrum added that stormwater infrastructure has been a long-standing issue for the community. “This plan provides the data and priorities we need to move forward, but finding the funding to make it happen remains the biggest hurdle,” he said.

The presentation is available for residents to watch through the Oct. 13, 2025, city council meeting recording on the city’s website and YouTube channel. City officials say they will continue to explore funding options to address the identified needs over time. Click here for more information about the study.