The Ripple Effect: Where Federal Funds Are Improving Flood Protection in Virginia Beach

Neighborhoods across the city are seeing significant flood protection improvements thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal funding program passed in 2021 to support pandemic recovery and help communities invest in infrastructure. In Virginia Beach, $44.8 million in ARPA funding is being used to improve stormwater systems and dredge lakes to help protect homes, roads and businesses from flooding.

The City is making strong progress — 81% of the allotted funds have been spent, well ahead of the December 2026 deadline. Here’s a look at the impact of that funding. 

From Bay Colony to Upton Estates: 23 Neighborhoods Received Drainage Improvements 

Improvements to stormwater drainage in the city’s neighborhoods were a key part of the ARPA funding, with 98% of the $30.58 million portion already spent. An additional $102,000 will come from the City’s stormwater Capital Improvement Program (CIP), because more work was needed than originally anticipated. Drainage improvements have been completed or are underway in 23 neighborhoods, including: 

1. Bay Colony 
2. Birchwood Gardens 
3. Birdneck Point 
4. Broad Bay Estates 
5. Charlestowne Lakes South 
6. Courthouse Estates 
7. Foxfire  
8. Great Neck Estates 
9. Great Neck Meadows 
10. Groveland Park 
11. Hillcrest Farms 
12. Laurel Cove
13. Lynnhaven Colony
14. Pembroke Meadows
15. Red Mill Farm
16. Redwing 
17. Rock Creek 
18. Salem Villages 
19. Seatack 
20. Southgate 
21. Thalia Manor 
22. Three Oaks 
23. Upton Estates  

Accomplishments include: 

• 61 miles of stormwater pipes inspected using closed circuit television technology 
• 14 miles of stormwater pipes lined to restore proper flow and function 

Map of Virginia Beach with ARPA neighborhood drainage project areas shaded in green and numbered according to article, and lake dredging project locations shown as blue dots.

Lake Dredging: Big Results Below the Surface  

Virginia Beach committed $14.3 million in ARPA funding to lake dredging efforts, and work is now complete at four lakes: Reedtown Lake, John B. Dey Lake, Lovetts Pond and Great Neck Lake #2. Construction is either underway or set to begin in the late fall at nine additional lakes: Indian Lakes, Lynnhaven Mall #1 Lake, Lynnhaven Mall #3 Lake, Sabre Street Extended #1 Lake, Chandler Creek Canal, Green Meadows Lake, Rosemont Road Lake, Chapel Lake and Salem Lakes #1.  
 
Crews have hauled away 142,055 cubic yards of dredged material. That’s:   

• Equal to 10,147 dump trucks 
• Enough to fill 1,064 Olympic-sized swimming pools 
• Equivalent to a 12-mile berm that’s 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide  

Dredging is an important maintenance activity that helps restore the health, safety and function of lakes and canals. Benefits of the removal of sediment include:  

• Improved water quality  
• Restored water flow  
• Reduced neighborhood flooding  
• Erosion prevention  

Dredging projects take longer to complete than drainage improvement projects, because they involve activities such as permitting, hauling and traffic maintenance. To date, 43% of the dredging funds have been spent, and the remaining funds are expected to be spent by the December 2026 deadline. An additional $1.14 million will come from the City’s stormwater CIP to cover increased contractor costs.

Keeping Up the Momentum  

These neighborhood drainage improvement and lake dredging projects are just one part of the larger Flood Protection Program to reduce flood risk, protect homes and businesses and strengthen Virginia Beach for years to come.  

The Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program — The Ripple Effect — is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address recurrent flooding in Virginia Beach. In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city. The projects are led by Public Works with support from a community oversight board for transparency and accountability. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect.

• Ripple Effect