I-59 Casting Yard Stormwater Outfall, Birmingham, Alabama

I-59 Casting Yard is a stormwater outfall located at 1503 50th Street North in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. It serves an industrial casting yard and operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. As a Phase II small MS4, Birmingham's stormwater program addresses runoff quality and quantity from urban and industrial areas. The facility's primary technical function is to discharge stormwater runoff from the casting yard into receiving waters. While specific discharge volumes are not detailed, typical stormwater outfalls in industrial settings manage variable flows depending on rainfall intensity and catchment imperviousness. The outfall is part of a network that helps prevent localized flooding and conveys runoff to nearby water bodies. Operationally, the I-59 Casting Yard outfall contributes to Birmingham's stormwater management infrastructure. Its location in an industrial area means runoff may contain pollutants such as sediment, heavy metals, or hydrocarbons, requiring compliance with NPDES permit conditions. The facility supports local flood control and water quality protection, aligning with Clean Water Act goals for impaired water bodies in the region.

Birmingham, Alabama, experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms and an average annual rainfall of about 55 inches, leading to significant stormwater runoff. The I-59 Casting Yard is situated in an industrial area, where runoff can carry pollutants like sediment, metals, and hydrocarbons. Discharge from this outfall may enter local waterways that are part of the Black Warrior River watershed, which has segments listed as impaired under the Clean Water Act. Effective stormwater management is critical to minimize impacts on water quality and aquatic habitats.