Ketchikan Ferry Terminal Stormwater Outfall, Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan Ferry Terminal is a stormwater outfall located at 3501 Tongass Avenue in Ketchikan, Alaska, within the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. This facility manages stormwater runoff from a ferry terminal, a key transportation hub in the region. As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected runoff into nearby waters, operating under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) program. The facility is classified as a stormwater outfall, typically associated with municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) or industrial stormwater permits. The facility's NAICS code 483212 (Inland Water Passenger Transportation) indicates its industrial context. Stormwater management at such facilities often involves treatment or control measures to reduce pollutants like sediment, oil, and grease from parking areas and vessel operations. Ketchikan's coastal rainforest climate, with high annual precipitation, makes stormwater management critical to protect local water quality. The outfall likely discharges to the Tongass Narrows or nearby marine waters, which support fisheries and marine ecosystems. Proper operation helps mitigate impacts from urban runoff, aligning with Clean Water Act goals to maintain water quality standards.

Ketchikan's temperate rainforest climate, with over 150 inches of annual precipitation, generates significant stormwater runoff. The facility discharges to marine waters of the Tongass Narrows, which support salmon, herring, and other aquatic life. Urban and industrial runoff from the ferry terminal may contain pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and sediment, requiring effective management to protect local water quality and comply with Clean Water Act standards.