Southern Marina & Harbor Stormwater Outfall, Mobile, Alabama

Southern Marina & Harbor is a stormwater outfall facility located at 4514 Dauphin Island Pkwy in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It serves the urban catchment of Mobile, managing stormwater runoff from the surrounding area. As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected stormwater into local water bodies, playing a key role in flood control and water quality management. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Mobile is subject to Phase II MS4 requirements, which mandate stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The facility's NAICS code 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing) suggests an industrial catchment, which may involve specific stormwater pollution prevention measures. Environmental significance includes the potential discharge to nearby water bodies such as Mobile Bay, which is an ecologically important estuary. Effective stormwater management at this outfall helps mitigate urban runoff impacts, including sediment, nutrients, and pollutants, thereby supporting local water quality and aquatic habitat. The facility's operational status ensures ongoing compliance with regulatory standards.

Mobile, Alabama, is located on the Gulf Coast with a humid subtropical climate, receiving significant rainfall that generates substantial stormwater runoff. The facility's discharge likely enters Mobile Bay, a vital estuary supporting diverse marine life and fisheries. Urban and industrial runoff from the catchment area can carry pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and sediments, necessitating effective stormwater management to protect water quality and ecosystem health.