The Eastern Shore Drive area was originally developed without a comprehensive stormwater management system (pipes, outfalls, etc.), and as a result, has been impacted by repetitive street flooding during rainfall events over the years. Infill development has increased the basin’s imperviousness and has worsened the situation. In addition, a large portion of the developed drainage basin is relatively low in elevation and is subjected to tidal inundation during storm events with higher tides. ​The inadequate stormwater system and the impacts of direct tidal inundation combine to increase the cost and complexity of improvements for the drainage basin.

Extensive drainage improvements are planned for the area surrounding eastern Shore Drive, from First Landing Park on the east to Lynnhaven Inlet on the west. The ultimate drainage service area extends to the north and south of Shore Drive to serve surrounding neighborhoods.

The four projects below in the Eastern Shore Drive Master Project will include upgraded systems of pipes and inlets to collect stormwater runoff, deepening and widening of the Cape Henry Canal, stormwater pump stations, automated tide gates and elevated roadways:

Cape Henry Canal Phase II Gravity Sewer Relocation

Widening and deepening of the Cape Henry Canal and upgraded pipe crossings from Starfish Road to Beech Street. Sections of the multi-use path along Cape Henry Drive will be relocated to allow space for the canal to be widened.

Cape Henry Canal Phase II Gravity Sewer Relocation

North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F

Flood control drainage improvements to include, but are not limited to, acquisition, stormwater collection systems, outfall systems, and backflow prevention devices within the Eastern Shore Drive area, roughly between Starfish Road to Ebb Tide Road on the north side of Shore Drive.

North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F

Poinciana Pump Station

Replacement of the 40+-year-old Poinciana Stormwater Pump Station located on the south side of Poinciana Drive between Bayberry Street to the east and Sandalwood Road to the west.

Poinciana Pump Station

Eastern Shore Drive Bundle

Elevation of Lynnhaven Drive, Lynnhaven Colony Park Pump Station, Lynnhaven Drive Pump Station, Came Henry Canal Phase II (Widen & Deepen Canal), and Cape Henry Drive Street Drainage Improvements (1G).

Eastern Shore Drive Bundle

Before & After Tide Gate Protections

  • Eastern Shore Drive Structural flooding before tide gate protections

    Structural flooding before tide gate protections.
  • Eastern Shore Drive Minor ponding with tide gate protection

    Minor ponding with tide gate protection.
    • Eastern Shore Drive Map with flood areas in red

    Want more information?

    For more project-specific information, check out the Flood Protection Program's Monthly Status Reports, which can be found on the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board's page.

    Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board
    • Stormwater & Flood Protection
      • Flood Protection Program Flood Protection Program FAQ Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board Central Resort District Eastern Shore Drive - Phase 1 Cape Henry Canal Phase II Gravity Sewer Relocation North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F Poinciana Pump Station Eastern Shore Drive Bundle Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Pump Station & Outfall Church Point/Thoroughgood BMP and Drainage Improvements Lake Pleasure House Outfall Lake Bradford Dredging Linkhorn Bay Drainage Basin First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements Seatack Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Southern Rivers Watershed Pungo Ferry Road New Bridge Road West Neck Creek Bridge Stormwater Green Infrastructure Marsh Restoration in Back Bay Elizabeth River Wetland and Floodplain Restoration Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza & The Lakes Club House Road Storm Drainage Windsor Woods Tide Gate South Plaza Trail and Presidential Boulevard Drainage Improvements Old Forge Road and Red Lion Road Drainage Improvements Bow Creek Stormwater Park Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza, and The Lakes Mega Bundle Master Planning Sea Level Wise Stormwater Extension Flood Monitoring Flooding Mitigation Toolbox Stormwater Quality Stormwater Management Facilities Stormwater Regulations Stormwater Utility Fee Discount Stormwater Quality Projects & Evaluations 17th Street Regional Stormwater Facility Ashville Bridge Creek Watershed Bayville Lake Water Quality Improvement Bellamy Woods Water Quality Improvement Brigadoon Park Water Quality Improvement Chatham Hall Lake Water Quality Improvement Historic Kempsville Water Quality Improvements Kemps Lake Water Quality Improvement Lake Bradford & Great Neck Lake Monitoring Lake James Watershed Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Study Lynnhaven Park Constructed Wetlands Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project Oceana Gardens Constructed Wetlands Providence Park Wet Pond Salem Village Park Water Quality Improvement Saw Pen Point Shoreline Restoration Sunstream Park Pond Mosquito Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases Get Involved Adopt-a-Drain Good to Do National Flood Insurance Program Stormwater Management Implementation Advisory Group