CLEBURNE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Stormwater Outfall, Heflin, Alabama

CLEBURNE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT operates a Stormwater Outfall facility located at 302 Haley Road in Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama. This facility is part of the county's stormwater management system, handling runoff from highways and roads to prevent flooding and control pollution. As a municipal stormwater outfall, it falls under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). In Alabama, stormwater management is governed by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), which implements the NPDES MS4 program. The facility likely serves an urban or suburban catchment area, managing stormwater from impervious surfaces such as roads and parking lots. Typical infrastructure includes outfall structures, detention basins, and conveyance channels designed to reduce peak flows and remove pollutants. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in protecting local water quality. Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants like sediment, oil, and heavy metals into nearby streams and rivers. Proper management helps maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems and comply with water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. The facility's location in Cleburne County contributes to the broader regional effort to manage stormwater impacts.

The facility discharges stormwater into local waterways that are part of the Tallapoosa River basin. This region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms, leading to significant runoff volumes. Urban and highway runoff can introduce pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, and hydrocarbons, potentially impacting aquatic habitats. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act requires permits to ensure discharges do not impair water quality.