KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Following flash flooding that impacted neighborhoods across Knoxville over the weekend, city officials are accelerating efforts to evaluate and improve parts of the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure, some of which dates back more than a century.
Mayor Indya Kincannon said the city is nearing completion of a comprehensive inventory of Knoxville’s stormwater network, an effort designed to identify weaknesses and help guide future infrastructure investments.
According to city officials, approximately 45,000 pieces of stormwater infrastructure have been mapped and analyzed as part of the project.
Kincannon said the recent flooding highlighted just how vulnerable portions of the system can be during extreme rainfall events. She noted that nearly two inches of rain fell in less than 30 minutes in parts of North Knoxville during the weekend storm, overwhelming drainage systems and causing flooding.
“We’re in the process of finalizing an inventory of all our stormwater infrastructure,” Kincannon said. “Some of it was built pre-World War I. Some of it’s over 100 years old, well over 100 years old.”
Climate and Development Increasing Flood Risks
The mayor said two major factors are contributing to increased stormwater challenges across the city: more intense rainfall events and continued development throughout the watershed.
As forests and open land are replaced with roads, parking lots, and buildings, rainwater can no longer soak naturally into the ground. Instead, larger volumes of water are directed into drainage systems in a much shorter period of time.
“If you have a green forest or field, the water just is absorbed right there in the ground,” Kincannon said. “But, if you start paving things over, even if it’s far outside the city limits, we’re all in the same watershed.”
Kincannon said flooding that was once considered a rare “100-year event” is occurring much more frequently, creating additional pressure on infrastructure that was never designed to handle today’s storm conditions.
“That flooding used to be every 100 years, and now it’s happening much more often,” she said. “And it’s not safe, and we need to address it.”
Consultants to Study Solutions
The Knoxville City Council has already approved the hiring of a consultant to analyze the stormwater inventory and recommend improvements to help the city adapt to future flooding risks.
Those recommendations are expected to play a role in future infrastructure planning and capital improvement projects.
Long-Term Vision for Knoxville Also Under Review
Stormwater management is also expected to be part of a broader discussion Thursday evening as City Council receives an update on “What’s Next Knoxville,” the city’s comprehensive planning initiative.
The plan represents Knoxville’s first comprehensive planning update in more than two decades and is intended to guide growth, development, transportation, housing, and environmental policy for decades to come.
Since April, city officials have gathered feedback from thousands of residents. Kincannon said several key concerns have consistently emerged, including affordable housing, transportation options, public safety, and flooding.
She noted that issues involving land use, housing growth, and flood mitigation are closely connected and must be addressed together.
“Updating our comprehensive plan is an important way to address issues of affordability, safety and resilience,” Kincannon said.
City leaders are expected to review preliminary findings and determine whether public feedback aligns with concerns they are hearing from constituents as Knoxville plans for the next 50 years.
