Situated along the southern bank of the Ohio River, the City of Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky, depend on a levee system comprising 26.1 miles of floodwall and earthen levee and 16 flood pump stations to reduce the risk of flooding to its citizens and assets totaling over $34 billion in property. During flood events, these flood pump stations are used to convey stormwater from the City by pumping interior waterways into the Ohio River. The Paddy’s Run Flood Pump Station is one of Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District’s largest and most critical facilities used in the flood protection system.  

The original Paddy’s Run FPS was commissioned in 1953 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The flood pump station is still functioning with the original pumps and equipment, yet spare and replacement parts are no longer available and it requires constant maintenance by MSD’s flood protection team. Also, since the original construction, the existing facility can only meet a 2-hour, 24-hour storm event due to significant increases in the impervious area within the drainage basin. Therefore, the flood pump station had to increase its pumping capacity.  

To meet the projected year 2035, 10-year, 24-hour storm event (5 inches of rainfall in 24 hours), MSD is replacing the station with an upgraded facility that will be able to pump 1.9 billion gallons per day. Emphasizing its fortitude, when all pumps are engaged, the new FPS could fill the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 29 seconds. 

In 2021, HDR was selected as part of a progressive design-build team with contractor Ulliman Schutte Construction as the design-builder for the massive undertaking of designing and constructing a completely new Paddy’s Run FPS. The new FPS layout was designed with a unique opposite/offset configuration to reduce the overall footprint while minimizing impact to the levee system. 

MSD depends on the FPS to assist with critical flood protection. The increased pumping capacity improves resilience and helps mitigate flood risks that have resulted from significant changes in land use, population and infrastructure growth since the levee system was initially built. The new Paddy’s Run FPS is set to be operational in the Spring of 2027.  

The total project cost of this endeavor is approximately $230 million. Given the project's criticality in nature, MSD sought funding through a variety of channels. Our team was integral in helping MSD navigate the intricacies of applying for funding, ultimately securing $65.5 million in Cleaner Water and Clean Water State Revolving funds to date. In addition, the 2025 Kentucky state funds are currently being considered, and the team is hopeful that additional capital can be secured.