Keep up-to-date on our climate work and events — learn how climate change affects your community and how you can get involved!
Flooding is a growing concern for residents and businesses in Stoughton — and the Town is taking action to address it.
Thanks to a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Action Grant, the Town of Stoughton is partnering with Kleinfelder and NepRWA to study local flooding, map areas most at risk, and plan solutions to help protect homes, businesses, and natural areas from future storms.
Community input is essential to the success of this project, and we want to hear from you. Learn how you can get involved!
For more information or any questions, please contact NepRWA Managing Director for Community Resilience, Kerry Snyder, at snyder@neponset.org or 781-575-0354 ext. 300.
Project Updates: Phase II
March 2026 — Emergency Preparedness
Residents, local officials, and experts gathered at the Old Colony YMCA on March 16 to discuss how Stoughton can prepare for extreme weather. Watch the recording.
December 2025 — Culvert Study
Many of Stoughton’s culverts (structures that allow streams to flow under roads) were built decades ago and may not effectively handle today’s heavier rainstorms.
The culvert study will help identify and prioritize repairs or replacement to ensure the safety and preparedness for all area residents.
The Town is focused on high-risk neighborhoods, especially those with residents disproportionally affected by flooding—such as seniors, youth, residents of color, and people with disabilities.
September 2025
The Stoughton Advisory Group met online to review project and town updates. Fire Chief Carroll shared tips on emergency preparedness. Watch the recorded meeting below.
June 2025
The Town of Stoughton has completed the first phase a town-wide assessment of culverts with the aim to help address flooding in town.
Using mapping software, the Project Team created a comprehensive list of all culverts in town. Using the flood mapping completed during the first phase of this climate resilience project, the Project Team was able to identify which culverts are located in areas prone to flooding, environmentally sensitive zones, or neighborhoods with historically underserved populations.
Based on this analysis, the Project Team inspected more than 70 culverts and developed a preliminary list highlighting the culverts most in need of upgrades. This information will support more in-depth structural inspections planned for later this year.
March 2025
The Project Team facilitated a meeting of the Stoughton Community Advisory Group on March 27, 2025 at the Old Colony YMCA.
Participants got an update on the Town’s culvert assessment being conducted by Kleinfelder and a description of the remaining timeline of activities.
Additionally, they heard the results of the community survey which not only identified important Town resources, but also identified residents’ top climate concerns.
Missed the meeting? Slides are available by clicking here, or watch the recording, below.
December 2024
The project team facilitated a meeting of the Stoughton Climate Resilience Community Advisory Group on December 5th at the Old Colony YMCA in Stoughton.
The meeting aimed to explain the project to participants and discuss key climate change or extreme weather concerns within the community.
If you missed the meeting, you can view the recording below (please forgive the technical difficulties!).
October 2024
Building off of the Phase 1 flood risk assessment and Flood Model development, the project team is preparing to both assess stormwater infrastructure as well as deepen its engagement with Stoughton residents to learn more about what they’d like to see climate resilience look like in their neighborhoods.
The Town has engaged Kleinfelder to make a detailed study of culverts (conduits of streams under roads and buildings) around Stoughton to assess their vulnerability and impact on flooding.
NepRWA has recruited (and is still recruiting!) members for a Climate Resilience Community Advisory Group.
This activity aims to empower residents to help the town direct priority climate adaptation projects and facilitate communication between Town decision-makers and residents.
Project Updates: Phase I
Stoughton Focus Group
Priority Areas for Flooding Studies
View Additional Maps
Get Involved!
Join the Stoughton Climate Resilience Community Advisory Group!
Stoughton is assessing flood risks and inviting residents to join a 10–15 member Community Advisory Group to share experiences and shape local solutions.
Participants will be paid $50 per hour to participate in a series of five 1-2 hour meetings over the next two years.
How you’ll help
- Learn how climate change is influencing weather patterns and how to better prepare your community for its local consequences.
- Identify and explore community climate priorities, resource gaps, areas at higher risk, and educational needs.
- Support better communication about potential projects, storm preparedness, and resources between the Town of Stoughton and its residents.
Who should apply?
Residents 16 years of age or older, members of community-based organizations, or small business owners in Stoughton.
Priority will be given to applicants who represent communities at greater risk from the consequences of climate change, such as communities of color, those with limited English language proficiency, youth and/or seniors.
Tell a Friend
We are working hard to reach out to the entire community. Please share this web page with friends, neighbors, and groups in Stoughton.
Suggest a Community Group
Know of a community group or organization we should reach out to?
We are especially interested in connecting with groups and individuals who are less likely to participate in town affairs, like churches, business groups, youth groups, seniors, and others. Please email Kerry Snyder with your suggestions for who should be involved!
For questions about the community action group, or to suggest an organization, please contact NepRWA Community Engagement Strategist, Karen Groce-Horan, at groce-horan@neponset.org or call 781-575-0354 ext. 312
General Information about Climate Change in Stoughton
What is climate change? It’s a long-term increase in global temperatures. That doesn’t mean that every day is getting warmer, but it does mean the Stoughton area is experiencing changes in weather patterns because of those warmer temperatures.
Weather records already show:
- More heavy rainstorms;
- More drought;
- More days that reach 90 degrees or more; and
- More intense, windy storms
Norfolk County—Avg. Daily Maximum Temp (°F)
Towns across Massachusetts are working to adapt to these changes. But they can’t do it alone.
The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program funds projects each year to help cities and towns plan for and make necessary changes to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure.
Project Background Information
The Town of Stoughton is working with Kleinfelder consultants and the Neponset River Watershed Association to study flooding in Town. This includes developing a computer-based “flood model” to map present areas of concern as well as what might happen in the future as the climate continues to warm up and change rain patterns.
The Town can’t solve every flooding problem, but by studying the issue, Stoughton can prioritize problem areas and begin developing solutions to reduce future flooding, and protect Stoughton homes, businesses, and natural areas where possible.
Project Funding
This project is made possible by a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Action Grant awarded to the Town of Stoughton.
