Project Summary

Roanoke Stormwater is moving forward with its strategic floodplain mitigation efforts along Ore Branch. This project will involve excavating a new floodplain to provide flood relief to Ore Branch. The existing concrete walls of the channel will be removed and repurposed for in-stream structures. Finally, the channel will be realigned to a more natural pattern using in-stream structures to stabilize the channel. A grant from DCR’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) is funding the stream and floodplain restoration work.

This project began in 2022 with the acquisition and demolition of the former Ramada hotel and conference center, which was funded by FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation program. The City has recieved additional DCR CFPF to acquire and demolish the adjacent properties at 1941 and 1953 Franklin Road SW (George’s Flowers).

All of these properties will be preserved as open space through restrictive covenants (as required by the grant agencies) to ensure that the passive recreation space, stream restoration, and restored floodplain remain long-term to meet flood resilience and climate change goals.

Timeline: April - October, 2026
Location: 1927 Franklin Road SW
Impacts: Expect construction traffic

What Is a Stream Restoration?

Healthy streams provide important benefits. They help reduce flooding, prevent erosion, filter out pollution, and create habitat for wildlife. When a stream becomes degraded, restoration work helps bring those benefits back.

Stream restoration is one of the ways the City’s Stormwater Utility improves local waterways. Every project is different and designed to meet the specific needs of that section of stream.

So far, the Stormwater Utility has completed five stream restoration projects, investing more than $4.3 million. You can learn more at https://www.roanokeva.gov/2456/Stream-Restorations.