Aging Whiskey Run stormwater system inspected under near downtown Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – Beneath downtown Bowling Green, an aging stormwater system is showing signs of deterioration as city and state officials work to determine what repairs may be needed.
The section of the Whiskey Run stormwater system inspected this week was built in the late 1960s using structural steel plate pipe, according to Bowling Green Public Works Director Andy Souza and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials.
Whiskey Run is a larger stormwater network that developed over time as the city grew, with different sections using different construction methods. The system carries stormwater from parts of downtown and Veterans Memorial Lane before eventually flowing toward the Barren River.
Officials say the steel pipe inspected underground is showing corrosion, rust and structural deformation. The weight above the pipe is also pushing portions of the structure inward.
Souza said the city has been monitoring the section for nearly two years and is now working with engineers and the state to better understand its condition.
A company is expected to use a robotic system to map the tunnel and provide measurements of the deterioration. Engineers are also using lasers to determine how much portions of the structure have shifted.
Matt Powell, Environmental Manager with the city said the section appears to be nearing the end of its useful life and may need to be replaced.
The condition of the pipe also affects how much water the system can carry. Souza said Bowling Green receives roughly 50 to 60 inches of rain each year, often at increasing intensities, and the storm drain is already undersized even when it is in its original shape.
The city says Warren County’s soil can contribute to corrosion of steel pipe, while road salt used during winter can further deteriorate the material.
Because the stormwater system passes beneath Veterans Memorial Lane multiple times, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is involved in determining how any future work would affect the roadway.
Powell said the state has experience with storm sewer systems of similar scale and can provide additional expertise as the city evaluates the problem.
The city has not yet determined the full scope, timeline or cost of the necessary repairs.
A new $4-per-month stormwater utility fee is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. City officials say the fee will provide dedicated funding for stormwater maintenance and infrastructure repairs.
