ITEM 4.1 Otsego Creek Updateto 4.1
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TO: Otsego Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ron Wagner, City Engineer
DATE: April 8, 2013
RE: Otsego Creek update
Background:
Mr, Joel Kolles, who lives adjacent to Otsego Creek at 8925 Mason Avenue, attended
the March 25th council meeting to express his concerns over potential flooding this
spring. The primary concern is the amount of ice in the culverts under Mason Avenue.
City staff had been observing the creek and had also noticed the layering and filling of
the channel and culverts with ice. The culverts were not completely frozen shut. An
opening between just under a I" and up to 2' existed on all of the crossings. City
Council requested staff to continue to assess the creek and also determine if any other
methods to prevent flooding could be instituted.
During the weekend of March 30th and March 31st, the creek crested due to rain early
on Saturday and snow melt during Friday and Saturday. Brad & I made observations
on Saturday and Sunday. Brad was in contact with Mr. Kolles throughout the weekend.
By late afternoon on Sunday the creek was receding slowly. At one point the following
Monday the Mason culvert was partially plugged with ice chunks but city crews were
able to dislodge them.
The creek did overtop 87th Street and 9& Street for brief durations of time.
Staff is evaluating some options and will be bringing these options along with cost
estimates to the PW Subcommittee for review.