Scranton Plans Two More Stormwater Projects in Flood-Prone Keyser Valley

City using federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars for these upgrades.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting the Keyser Valley region obscured by heavy fog and mist, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.Scranton's investment in new stormwater projects aims to protect the flood-prone Keyser Valley neighborhood from the overwhelming power of nature.Scranton Today

The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania is planning two additional stormwater management upgrade projects in the flood-prone Keyser Valley area. The projects aim to better handle stormwater flow in the Keyser Creek watershed, including improving existing systems and creating a regional stormwater detention basin. The city will use federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for these projects, which are part of Scranton's broader efforts to address longstanding stormwater issues in the Keyser Valley neighborhood.

Why it matters

The Keyser Valley area has a history of severe flooding, including during a flash flood event in September 2023 that damaged dozens of homes. These new stormwater projects are part of the city's ongoing commitment to improve the neighborhood's flood resilience and protect residents from future disasters.

The details

The two new projects include improving existing stormwater systems in an area from a new Keyser Creek outfall to an old 'dry dam' location, as well as creating a 'regional stormwater detention basin' on part of West Mountain. The city has already acquired land through eminent domain for the detention basin project. These projects build on other ARPA-funded stormwater work underway in Keyser Valley, such as debris removal, pipe cleanouts, and conveyance system upgrades.

  • The bid-submission deadlines for the two new projects are Monday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
  • The city had previously committed nearly $23 million of its $68.7 million in federal ARPA funds, as well as other city and grant funds, to various stormwater management projects in the Keyser Valley area.
  • The severe flash flooding that damaged homes in Keyser Valley occurred on September 9, 2023.

The players

Eileen Cipriani

Scranton's Business Administrator.

Paige Gebhardt Cognetti

The Mayor of Scranton.

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What they’re saying

“We have been working for years to improve the overall stormwater management systems in Keyser Valley. These contracts represent our final ARPA funded projects, and this important work should help protect this neighborhood for generations to come.”

— Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Mayor

What’s next

The city will acquire the dry dam property through eminent domain as part of the stormwater system improvement project.

The takeaway

Scranton's investment in these new stormwater projects, funded by federal ARPA dollars, demonstrates the city's commitment to addressing longstanding flood risks in the Keyser Valley neighborhood and protecting residents from future disasters.