Building flood resilience through nature-based design: the Lorne Street stormwater management project
Project context
For years, recurring flooding along the Lorne Street corridor in Sackville (Tantramar), New Brunswick highlighted the growing strain on the town’s municipal stormwater systems in the face of more intense and unpredictable rainfall.
As development continued and the frequency of strong, climate-driven storms increased, existing infrastructure could no longer provide the level of flood protection the community required. This situation placed unprecedented pressure on neighbourhoods, transportation routes, and downstream environments.
A comprehensive stormwater management solution
To address this challenge, the Town of Sackville hired Englobe to design an overall Stormwater Management plan that would contain a forward-looking approach to stormwater resilience. Working closely with the Town of Sackville, Englobe helped plan and deliver a stormwater management solution that operates at a system level.
The resulting improvements reduce flood risk while strengthening long-term capacity for growth, environmental protection, and climate adaptation.
Designing a connected stormwater network
At the core of the project is a connected system of storm sewer piping, wet retention ponds, drainage channels, and control structures designed to safely convey, detain, and treat stormwater from the Lorne Street area and surrounding catchments. The system was engineered to accommodate a 1:100-year storm event, with careful consideration of the increased frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall associated with climate change.
A defining feature of the project was the adaptive reuse of an abandoned quarry, which was transformed into a functional stormwater retention pond through the construction of a new outlet, dyke, and outlet control structure. A formerly underutilized site now plays a critical role in protecting the community from flooding while regulating downstream flows.
To strengthen system performance, the quarry pond was integrated with:
- A new naturalized retention pond in the Charles Street area, south of the CN railway
- The Town’s existing pond on St. James Street
- Underground piping and a gently sloped open drainage channel that maintains natural hydrologic function
Together, these elements form a streamlined stormwater management network capable of controlled storage and gradual release during major storm events.
By linking multiple ponds into one coordinated system, we were able to significantly reduce flood risk while maintaining natural drainage patterns
Pierre Plourde, P.Eng., Senior Project Engineer at Englobe
Integrating environmental performance
Environmental stewardship was embedded in every phase of the project. The stormwater mitigation ponds were planned to avoid encroachment on significant wetland areas.
In zones where disturbance was unavoidable, wetlands were carefully recreated using native wetland and upland vegetation. In addition, native grasses, shrubs, and trees were incorporated throughout the system to:
- improve water quality through natural filtration,
- promote infiltration and groundwater recharge,
- and enhance habitats and biodiversity.
Control structures were precisely sized and positioned to allow the system to perform effectively, even during storm events that exceed design thresholds. This approach helped ensure long-term resilience while minimizing environmental risk.
Creating social and economic value
While the project’s primary objectives were flood protection and stormwater management, the Lorne Street Stormwater Management project also delivered meaningful social and economic benefits for the Sackville community.
Transforming Infrastructure into Community Spaces
Walking trails were integrated along the retention ponds, transforming essential municipal infrastructure into accessible public spaces that support outdoor recreation, wellness, and community connection. In addition, purpose-built lookouts provide opportunities for bird watching and passive recreation, allowing residents and visitors to engage with the natural environment in a calm, sheltered setting.
Maximizing Public Investment Through Multi-Functional Infrastructure
From an economic perspective, the project enhances the attractiveness of surrounding neighbourhoods and supports tourism and local business activity. The use of stormwater infrastructure as both recreational and ecological spaces represents an efficient investment of public funds, delivering lasting value through reduced flood risk and improved quality of life for community residents.
When infrastructure is designed to serve multiple purposes, communities gain far more than flood protection alone. They gain places that people can enjoy and take pride in.
Andy Caldwell, P.Tech., Englobe Project Manager states
A collaborative, inclusive approach
The Lorne Street Stormwater Management Project was delivered through close collaboration between the Town of Sackville, the Englobe team, and the project’s construction partner. Throughout design and construction, a strong emphasis was placed on safety, respect, and inclusion, fostering a work environment where all participants could contribute effectively and safely.
Clear and transparent communication helped manage construction impacts over the extended project timeline, minimizing disruption for nearby residents while preserving stakeholder confidence. Beyond construction, the resulting trails, naturalized areas, and observation spaces support inclusive use by people of varying ages, abilities, and interests, strengthening community well-being and social connection.
Delivering tangible benefits – today and tomorrow
The Lorne Street Stormwater Management project delivers measurable benefits for the Town of Sackville (Tantramar) — reducing flood risk, strengthening stormwater capacity, and improving long-term resilience in the face of changing climate conditions. Through integrated planning, adaptive design, and close collaboration with the municipality, the Englobe team transformed complex technical challenges into a durable, community-focused solution that balances performance, environmental stewardship, and future readiness.
The project reflects the depth of expertise, commitment, and care that Englobe teams bring to municipal infrastructure work. Through their skill, caring, and innovation, the teams support communities with solutions that protect what matters today while enabling confident planning for the future.