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County approves Epworth 0.2 drainage plan; engineers and commissioners discuss downstream capacity and flood modeling
Summary
Warrick County approved drainage for Epworth 0.2, a development that extends an existing detention basin north along Epworth Road; engineers said the project does not increase peak discharge but will change release duration, prompting calls for matched plan sheets and continued flood modeling of Springle and Howard Williams ditches.
Warrick County commissioners approved drainage plans for Epworth 0.2, allowing the developer to extend an existing detention basin north along Epworth Road and connect into the same discharge system used by the southern development.
Jim Morley Jr., the project engineer, described the plan as an extension of an existing pond system the county’s economic development office prefers to consolidate rather than build many small ponds. "We are seeking drainage board approval. We are putting in the detention base and is actually an extension of the one that's being built for the upper" development, Morley said, explaining the northern pond will be contiguous with the southern system.
County staff and commissioners sought clarity on how the two projects’ plans will match where they overlap and on underground utilities that cross the basin footprint. Commissioners asked for a match line and an overall map showing how the north and south plan sets align. One county engineer noted the outlet for the new basin will use the same discharge pipe as the existing basin and that the project does not raise peak flow rates into Springle Ditch or Howard Williams Ditch, though it may lengthen the duration of discharge during a storm.
Commissioners and staff also discussed the larger drainage capacity of Howard Williams Ditch and related streams. Staff said the county is conducting a comprehensive flooding model of the power-ditch system for the redevelopment commission and other county departments and hopes to perform clearing and capacity work in 2025 in the area. Staff and Morley agreed to coordinate on an overall map and on further technical meetings; Morley said he is willing to present findings from the developer’s modeling to the board.
Action: A motion to approve Epworth 0.2 drainage was made and seconded; the board voted in favor, 3-0.
Ending: Staff agreed to provide the board with an overall plan match line and a flood study update at a later meeting; the approved drainage will proceed subject to any remaining plan corrections and required permits.
