Calhoun Borrow Pit Stormwater Outfall, Fort Mitchell, Alabama

Calhoun Borrow Pit is a stormwater outfall located in Fort Mitchell, Russell County, Alabama, United States. As a stormwater outfall, it serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff from the surrounding area, likely including urban and industrial catchments. The facility is operational and falls under the regulatory oversight of the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program. In Alabama, stormwater outfalls like Calhoun Borrow Pit are typically regulated under Phase II MS4 permits for small municipalities, given the size of Fort Mitchell. The facility's NAICS code 212399 indicates a connection to nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying, suggesting the borrow pit may have been used for excavation and now serves as a stormwater detention or retention basin. The outfall discharges stormwater that may carry pollutants from urban runoff, requiring compliance with water quality standards. The environmental significance of Calhoun Borrow Pit lies in its role in managing stormwater runoff in the Chattahoochee River watershed. Proper operation helps reduce flooding and control pollutant loads to receiving waters. The facility contributes to local stormwater management infrastructure, supporting community resilience and water quality protection in the Fort Mitchell area.

Calhoun Borrow Pit discharges stormwater into the Chattahoochee River watershed, which is a major water resource in the southeastern United States. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms, leading to significant stormwater runoff. Urban development in Fort Mitchell and surrounding areas increases impervious surfaces, elevating runoff volumes and pollutant loads. The outfall must comply with NPDES MS4 permit requirements to minimize impacts on water quality, including sediment, nutrients, and heavy metals from urban and industrial sources.