Area in the south side drainage study

WARSAW — An overview of the South Side Drainage Study was presented by Jason Durr, senior civil engineer and Josh Corwin, civil engineer, with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC., South Bend, during Warsaw Common Council’s meeting Monday, July 20. Teresa Sailor, stormwater coordinator for the city, provided additional information as to the next steps.

Broken down into 10 prioritized projects, the estimated cost to resolve stormwater runoff and drainage problems and improve water quality within the area, will be $4,584,200. This includes estimated engineering, survey and construction costs.

The study area, focused on the watersheds of Kelly Pond and Eagle Creek, the area north of CR 200S, between SR 15 and the wetland area between Country Club Road and County Farm Road.

The study provided an examination of the area and recommended alternatives to alleviate existing drainage/stormwater problems, minimize future damages, provide enough drainage capacity for future development, preserve and restore the natural assets of the area and provide guidelines to educate residents to preserve and maintain the natural spaces and drainage features.

It was stated the study is a baseline for further examination of potential improvements. The study also notes LID and infiltration practices such as infiltration trenches, bio-swales, pervious pavement, curb turn outs, pavement width reduction and D/Arcy columns should be considered in each potential project. The engineers suggested implementation of higher priority projects begin as soon as possible to minimize the risk of future flood damages.

With the study complete, the next step, according to Sailor, will be community meeting dates for affected residents. Three presentation times have been set for Thursday, July 30. The meeting will consist of a brief study overview, specific neighborhood details, possible solutions and resident questions and feedback. The presentation is expected to last 30 to 45 minutes. Times for the community meetings are noon, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Warsaw Council Chambers.

The next phase would be a plan development phase, developing a course of action, preliminary design parameters and adding projects to the stormwater capital improvement plan. This also includes communicating with other city departments to coordinate any projects.

Proposed projects include:

• Upsizing the basin and improve sewers in the Eisenhower Basin.
• Residential stormwater improvements by providing rain barrel and rain garden programs, improve drainage swales and replace drive culverts, upsize sewer along Pieta Street and improve railroad crossing.
• Water quality improvements to Kelly Pond by installing vegetated forebays, vegetative buffer and bubbler.
• Culvert improvements along Ranch Road.
• Storm sewer improvements at Leedy Street through upsizing sewers.
• Kelly Park Daylighting, with a two-stage ditch.
• Miscellaneous storm seer improvements.
• Retrofit impervious areas to reduce impact
• Update stormwater ordinance and technical standards.
• Public education to reduce phosphorous application.