Overview
WRANGELL FERRY TERMINAL is a stormwater outfall in Wrangell, Alaska, United States. It manages runoff from the ferry terminal area, discharging into local waters under federal stormwater regulations.
WRANGELL FERRY TERMINAL is a stormwater outfall located at 301 McCormack St in Wrangell, Alaska, United States. This facility manages stormwater runoff from the ferry terminal and associated infrastructure, serving as a point of discharge to the surrounding environment. As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the broader network of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) that require permits under the US Clean Water Act. The facility operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework, which governs stormwater discharges from industrial and municipal sources. In Alaska, stormwater management is regulated by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) in coordination with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The outfall likely handles runoff from impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roads, and terminal buildings, with typical pollutants including sediment, oil and grease, and heavy metals. As a stormwater outfall in a coastal Alaskan community, this facility plays a role in protecting the water quality of the nearby Wrangell Narrows and the broader Inside Passage ecosystem. Proper management of stormwater runoff is critical to minimize impacts on marine habitats, fisheries, and recreational waters that are vital to the local economy and way of life.
Environmental context
Wrangell is located in the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska, characterized by high annual precipitation (over 80 inches). Stormwater runoff from the ferry terminal and urban areas can carry pollutants such as sediment, hydrocarbons, and debris into the Wrangell Narrows, a critical marine corridor for salmon, herring, and other species. The region's steep terrain and saturated soils increase runoff volumes, making effective stormwater management essential to protect water quality and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
WRANGELL FERRY TERMINAL is located at 301 McCormack St in Wrangell, Alaska, United States, in the Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area.
It is a stormwater outfall that collects and discharges stormwater runoff from the ferry terminal area into local waters, helping to manage urban runoff and prevent flooding.
Stormwater outfalls in Alaska are regulated under the Clean Water Act through the NPDES permit program, administered by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Facilities must obtain permits for discharges to ensure water quality standards are met.
Common pollutants include sediment, oil and grease from vehicles, heavy metals, trash, and de-icing chemicals. These can impact aquatic life and water quality if not properly managed.
Effective stormwater management reduces the transport of pollutants to the Wrangell Narrows and surrounding marine ecosystems, protecting fish habitat, shellfish beds, and recreational waters that are vital to the local community.
Other Stormwater Outfall plants in United States · 6 nearby