Plan Purpose

The intent of the Scottsdale Stormwater Management Master Plan (SMMP) is to combine the existing, updated and new stormwater studies into one comprehensive plan. This Plan evaluates the effectiveness of the existing drainage system and identifies possible improvements to further mitigate and manage future storm events in Scottsdale.

Why is it important to combine these studies into one new plan?

Previous hydrology and hydraulic studies were incrementally conducted for different areas of Scottsdale between 2005 and 2023. Continued urbanization, modernized rainfall data and advances in flood modeling technology require a consistent, updated planning-level evaluation. The SMMP seeks to provide a cohesive and modern understanding of Scottsdale’s stormwater system capacity, stormwater hazards and infrastructure needs across all watersheds in order to support enhanced flood resiliency and public safety.

Study Area

The Scottsdale Stormwater Management Master Plan study area includes an analysis of washes, storm drains, local streets, arterial corridors, and natural drainage areas throughout the Scottsdale municipal limits.

What is an Area of Mitigation Interest?

An Area of Mitigation Interest (AOMI) is a location that contains the potential for flooding, drainage deficiencies, or infrastructure constraints. An AOMI is a planning tool used in stormwater studies (such as the SMMP) to analyze and prioritize areas where a community should consider further evaluation of stormwater mitigation measures or where improvements are likely warranted.

How Were the AOMIs in Scottsdale Determined?

The AOMIs identified in the Scottsdale SMMP were selected after careful technical analysis of the entire City of Scottsdale. The AOMIs were prioritized over other areas of Scottsdale based on a variety of evaluation criteria that include:

• Depth and Velocity of Stormwater Flows
• Number of Structures/Property Damage Potential
• Protection of City Streets at Drainage Crossing Locations
• Impact to Emergency Response Routes/Times
• Number of Stormwater Complaints Received
• Potential for Added Recreational/Aesthetic Enhancements

All potential AOMIs in the SMMP process were screened through an extensive evaluation criteria matrix in order to prioritize the AOMIs that are shown in the map above.