MOREHEAD, KY – July 24, 2025 — What began as a brainstorming session between local officials, and a state water coordinator has grown into a potential model for sustainable flood mitigation across Eastern Kentucky.
In late 2022, Dr. Brian Storz was assigned as the Division of Water’s Licking River Basin Coordinator and quickly connected with city leaders in Morehead. When he asked how he could help, the answer was clear: tackle flooding in downtown Morehead.
“We’ve studied this problem for years,” said Rodney Fouch, City Planner. “We had data, reports, and past plans. Brian came in with fresh energy, and we just started talking about new ideas. That’s how the concept of ‘Greensinks’ was born.”
The idea of Greensinks, a term coined by Dr. Storz, centers around the construction of dry bio-retention ponds as a sustainable and nature-based alternative to traditional creek dredging. These ponds are designed to temporarily capture stormwater during heavy rains, allowing it to slowly absorb into the ground or be redirected without overwhelming urban drainage systems.
After returning to Frankfort, Storz found that Morehead wasn’t alone. Communities throughout Eastern Kentucky were facing similar challenges with stormwater and flash flooding. Working with state and federal agencies, Storz helped Morehead and other towns begin applying for flood mitigation grants based on the Greensinks concept.
“We’ve been able to build on the work of people before us,” Fouch said. “Thanks to Brian, we’ve stayed on the radar at the state level, and the idea is gaining momentum elsewhere.”
As other towns begin exploring Greensinks for their own flood-prone areas, Morehead remains at the forefront of the project, serving as both a pilot site and inspiration.
The collaboration between Morehead, the Kentucky Division of Water, Gateway Area Development District, and FEMA continues to push the project forward, with hopes that it will bring real, lasting flood relief to the community and serve as a replicable model for the region.
