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Price City leaders discuss immediate flood response, long-term Mead's Wash options
Summary
Council members and staff described local flooding impacts, short-term fixes and why a proposed NRCS-funded dam was dropped after engineers concluded it would only address a 100‑year storm and reduce flows by about 1–2 feet.
Price City elected officials and staff reported ongoing flood impacts across the city and discussed short-term fixes and long-range mitigation after a federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) project was removed from consideration.
Mayor said standing water and downed power lines have created safety hazards for residents, and urged neighbors to check on each other. She also thanked the road department for its quick response during heavy rain.
The council discussed a previously considered NRCS dam project for Mead’s Wash that was removed from the program because reviewers concluded the design would only be sized for a 100‑year storm and would lower peak levels by “a foot or two,” not enough to justify an estimated $1.5 million outlay. Miles, a city staff member, said engineers determined the dam “would have done enough” only for a 100‑year event and that building a larger facility would require a different funding source or design.
Council members and staff said debris and trash on a screen at a local retention pond plugged the outlet and caused an early overflow; several speakers recommended installing a trash rack at that screen to reduce future overflow onto 800 North and nearby embankments. The mayor said the debris came from Meads Wash and suggested using remaining project funds for debris-collection devices and trash racks.
Council members described localized impacts: an apartment complex was flooded again, drain screens plugged with raccoon carcasses and other debris were reported, and neighborhood drainage ditches and irrigation laterals compounded street flooding where ditches were already full. Councilmembers urged continued outreach to state and federal partners and said the city will forward materials and photos to NRCS for reconsideration.
City staff also noted operational constraints: CDOT and other right-of-way owners control some millings and pipe locations, and larger flood-control measures will require external approvals or alternative funding streams.
Councilmembers said they will continue to evaluate smaller, targeted investments (trash racks, regular debris removal, and repairing or replacing plugged screens) while seeking funding for larger structural solutions.
The city did not take formal action during the meeting; staff were directed to compile photos and documentation to share with NRCS and to pursue near-term fixes where feasible.
