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City of Goshen offices closed Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Friday, January 17, 2025

All City of Goshen offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash collection services WILL CONTINUE AS REGULARLY SCHEDULED on Monday and the rest of the week. more

Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5209, City of Goshen Stormwater Management Ordinance

Monday, January 13, 2025

Ordinance 5209, City of Goshen Stormwater Management Ordinance, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on December 16, 2024, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty on December 17, 2024. Ordinance 5209 regulates: (i) Discharges of prohibited non-stormwater flow into the stormwater drainage... more

Goshen Water Utility Shares Tips to Prevent Frozen Water Lines

Monday, January 13, 2025

With colder weather approaching, the Goshen Water Utility is here to help residents and businesses protect their water lines from freezing. While current conditions don’t call for a Freeze Warning, the Utility encourages everyone to take proactive steps to avoid frozen or burst pipes and ensure uninterrupted... more

Upcoming Events All »

Plan Commission

Today, 4:00pm

To view the webinar, please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93316714369 Or call: (301) 715-8592 or 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 933 1671 4369

Board of Public Works and Safety

Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:00pm

To join the webinar please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88469251269

Shade Tree Board

Monday, January 27, 2025, 4:00pm

Stormwater Management

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Winter Along the Elkhart River at the Violett Cemetery Boat Launch

Welcome to the Goshen Department of Stormwater Management

Snow is stormwater runoff waiting to melt.

Snow is stormwater runoff waiting to melt.   

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from snow and ice melting and rainwater from storms. When rain or melting snow and ice fall or flow across natural surfaces like forests and grassy areas, most of it will soak into the soil. When it lands on streets, parking lots, and other hard surfaces, it runs off to another location like a storm drain or a local waterway.

For more click on this Stormwater Information link

What is Stormwater Pollution?

As stormwater flows (or snow melts), it picks up debris (such as trash, grass clippings, etc.), chemicals (such as fertilizers and pesticides), sediment, and other pollutants. This "contaminated" water then enters a storm sewer system and is eventually discharged to a local wetland, stream, or river.

Why is Stormwater Pollution a Concern? 

Within the City of Goshen and other urban areas, stormwater runoff comes from yards, roofs, driveways, parking lots, construction sites, and streets (these are all called hard surfaces except for yards), and flows into miles of storm sewers, swales, and ditches located under or next to our City streets and eventually reaches our local waterways. Stormwater picks up oil, grease, sediments, automotive fluids, trash, lawn chemicals, and other pollutants that are harmful to the environment and is often discharged/released into our local waterways untreated.

Untreated stormwater affects our ability to use our local water bodies for drinking, fishing, and recreational purposes and it degrades fish and other aquatic habitats. The only way to lessen stormwater pollution is to reduce the amount of pollutants washed away by stormwater. The goal of the Department of Stormwater Management is "Clean Water for Everyone".

Click here to Report-a-Pollutant.


For more information on the Department of Stormwater Management and the Staff, click here.

Important Links

Federal, State, and Local Laws - Ordinances

Report-A-Pollutant

Educational Resources

Reports and Studies

Guidance Documents and Resources

Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP)

Development Resources & Technical Review 

Elkhart River in Goshen - USGS Real-Time Monitoring

City Maps

​Stormwater News

On December 16, 2024, the Goshen Common Council passed Stormwater Management Ordinance 5209, which updated the City's stormwater ordinances from when they were first passed in 2006.

To see past editions of the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter click here.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

  • March 2025
  • Board of Works  - Every Thursday except the third Thursday of the month. Click here for a 2025 calendar showing the City Meeting schedule. 
  • Goshen Stormwater Board - Every 1st, 2nd, 4th, & 5th Thursday at 4:00 p.m.in the Police/Courts Building (111 East Jefferson Street)
  • MS4 Advisory Board - To be Announced at the Elkhart County Public Services Building (4230 Elkhart Road, Goshen, IN 46526) 
  • Partnership Stormwater Board Meeting - The fourth Monday of every month, at 9:00 am at the County Administration Building (117 N. Second Street, Goshen, IN 46526)