Hare Snipe Watershed Study

We are doing a study of the Hare Snipe watershed. The goal is to better understand and improve flooding, water quality, and stream conditions in the area.

Study Area: Northwest Raleigh near Lake Lynn between Strickland Road, Leesville Road, NC 50, and US 70.

Project Details

Type:: Stormwater
Budget:: $587,556
Project Lead:: Stormwater Management
Contractors:: Brown and Caldwell

We are identifying ways to improve the Hare Snipe Creek watershed in Northwest Raleigh. We will be making changes in this area by:

Reducing flooding impacts with upgraded stormwater pipes;
Improving water quality; and,
Repairing streambanks (or riparian area).

The study area covers Northwest Raleigh near Lake Lynn between Strickland Road, Leesville Road, NC 50, and US 70.

Work During the Study

Stream Inspections (November 2021 - February 2022)
The consultant is doing stream inspections in November and December. They will document stream conditions and look for streambank erosion.

Water Flow (July 2021)
The consultant used meters to track how much water flows in the watershed and what areas flood. Now they are studying those findings. This will help us determine what upgrades can be made to streams and stormwater pipes in the watershed.

Overall Study
The consultant also continues to work on the rest of the study, which includes preparing for community outreach, collecting more data, and handling water quality modeling.

Next Steps

Collecting data and analyzing community feedback.
Continuing the study through fall 2022.
Identifying projects for this area when the study is complete.

Scroll down to learn more about the watershed and see what projects we've done so far.

Thank You for Sharing Input

Thank you for telling us about your experiences when it rains. Our public survey closed on Nov. 30. See recent results. Your feedback will help us complete the study and plan for future projects.

We also held public meetings on November 18, 2021 (Public Meeting #1) and September 22, 2022 (Public Meeting #2). Do you still have questions or comments? Let us know. We can be reached at 919-996-3940 or RaleighStormwater@raleighnc.gov.

Hare Snipe Watershed Survey Results Map

We used the data collected during our public input period to develop a map that shows the different types of survey information we gathered. Click on the map to learn more about the data we collected.

Schedule

DATE	ACTIVITY
Spring 2021	Project kickoff
Fall 2021	Public Meeting
Late Fall 2021 - Summer 2022	Consultant and staff collect date and assess findings
Early Fall 2022	Public Meeting
Fall 2022	Study recommendations shared with staff
TBD	Stormwater system improvements underway

A person studying the water flow at Lake Lynn in Raleigh — Project consultant studying the water flow of Lake Lynn in the Hare Snipe watershed. Meters will help us track how much water flows / floods in the area.

Water flowing in Hare Snipe Creek in Raleigh — A part of Hare Snipe Creek in Raleigh.

About the Watershed

The Hare Snipe Creek watershed is located in Northwest Raleigh and is one of 36 watersheds in the city. It covers more than seven square miles across Raleigh and Wake County, with over five square miles within the city limits.

Facts

Flows from north to south with the head waters or water's source near Springdale Estate.
Joins with Crabtree Creek just south of Glenwood Avenue.
Flows south to eventually reach the Neuse River.

Several unnamed streams or tributaries also flow to this creek.

Recent Stormwater Projects

We’ve completed several projects in this area to address flooding and water quality concerns. Some projects noted on the map below are from Raleigh Rainwater Rewards and the Drainage Assistance Program.

Nearby Stormwater System

Stormwater infrastructure, like culverts, pipes and drains, help safely collect and carry stormwater runoff into the creek when it rains. Water can also flow through the system under roads, driveways, and bridges before it reaches creeks.

On the Map: We maintain the areas in yellow. This is the stormwater system on city-maintained, public roads. Click on the map to learn more about the system.