Rocky Branch & Central Walnut Creek Watershed

Watershed Study

We are doing a study of the Rocky Branch Watershed and the adjacent portion of the Walnut Creek Watershed located in southern downtown Raleigh. Learn more about our work and how you can provide your feedback on the Rocky Branch & Central Walnut Creek Watershed Study.

About Rocky Branch

Rocky Branch begins near Meredith College, flows southeast through the NC State Central Campus and along Western Boulevard and joins with Walnut Creek at near South Wilmington Street and I-40. Walnut Creek flows east to the Neuse River. Over 7 miles of the Rocky Branch Trail and Walnut Creek Trail greenways follow the path of these two streams.

Rocky Branch, Walnut Creek, and their tributaries flow through several city parks, including:

Pullen Park
Dorothea Dix Park
Chavis Park
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Apollo Heights Park

Stormwater System

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

There are over 85 miles of stormwater pipes in this watershed. Approximately 34 miles are maintained by the City. The remainder are located on state, county, or private property.

Watershed Map

Zoom into the map to see the location of the stormwater system and some recent stormwater projects. Raleigh Stormwater maintains the areas in yellow. Click the three lines on the map (upper right corner) to see what the icons mean.