Mount Pleasant Launches Stormwater Upgrade Project
The Army Corps of Engineers and the town are replacing 1940s-era drainage infrastructure in the Mill Tract Drainage Basin.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Environmental
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Town of Mount Pleasant have launched a stormwater improvement project in the Mill Tract Drainage Basin, the town's highest-priority basin. The aging infrastructure there has caused continued flooding and water quality problems in the basin and downstream in Shem Creek.
Why it matters
The stormwater system was built in the 1940s and has not kept pace with flooding and water quality concerns in the area. The project combines traditional grey infrastructure with green, nature-based solutions meant to infiltrate stormwater into the ground rather than moving it elsewhere.
The existing stormwater infrastructure in the Mill Tract Drainage Basin dates to the 1940s, and project leaders aim to finish designs by the end of 2027 with construction starting in Spring 2028. Which low impact development techniques will be used remains unsettled pending resident feedback.
The players
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The federal agency responsible for civil engineering and water resource projects, including flood risk and stormwater management work in coastal communities.
Town of Mount Pleasant
The municipality in Charleston County, South Carolina, that is spearheading the drainage project and seeking resident input on it.
The details
The project includes restoring several drainage ditches, upgrading stormwater pipes, and utilizing green infrastructure throughout the basin. Initial public feedback was gathered at East Cooper Montessori Charter School, where residents were asked which low impact development techniques they prefer.
Timeline
1940s: Original stormwater infrastructure in the Mill Tract Drainage Basin was built.
Wednesday, week of Nov. 5, 2026: Initial public feedback gathered at East Cooper Montessori Charter School.
End of 2027: Project leaders aim to complete designs.
Spring 2028: Construction is planned to begin.
Watershed Context
Shem Creek, the downstream waterway affected by this basin's flooding, has long been a focus of local water quality concerns in Mount Pleasant. This project targets the 1940s-era drainage system that feeds it, aiming to reduce the runoff that carries problems downstream.
Residents in the Mill Tract Drainage Basin can expect ditch restoration, pipe upgrades, and green infrastructure work in their neighborhood over the coming years. Those who want a say in which low impact development techniques are used can share their preferences through the town's ongoing feedback process.
The takeaway
Replacing century-old stormwater systems with a mix of pipes and nature-based features is one way coastal towns can reduce flooding while protecting downstream waters. Residents who want to shape the final design can participate in the town's public feedback process.
What happens next
Project leaders aim to complete designs by the end of 2027, with construction planned to begin in Spring 2028.
Further reading
For more on local conservation efforts, see Environmental coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCBD 2 - Charleston.
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