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Commission hears multi‑million NRCS flood‑control and recharge proposal for Coal Creek/Western Rock pits
Summary
Commissioners received a detailed presentation on a long‑term NRCS plan to reconfigure the Woodbury split, channel works, and pit recharging (Western Rock and Cedar City pits) intended to reduce sediment load, mitigate flood risk and increase groundwater recharge. Project cost estimates discussed exceed $20 million with a county match component.
Commissioner Robinson presented a technical briefing and large‑scale plan, developed with NRCS and Cedar City, that aims to reduce flood and sediment risk on Coal Creek and increase groundwater recharge by capturing high‑sediment flows in a chain of quarry pits (the Schmidt, county and Cedar City/Western Rock pits).
Robinson described the 2021 flood event that sent large volumes of water and boulders through Bridal/Coal Creek and the Woodbury split. He said NRCS’s preferred alternative would modify the Woodbury split to preserve flow velocity, add concrete flumes, gabion baskets or stepped weirs to reduce erosion, and create a controlled spillway to dump excess flows into the Cedar City pit during large events so sediment drops out and recharge increases.
Presentation highlights included the following points: the project contemplates separating a receiving pit into multiple settling basins (settling, secondary settling and clean‑water storage) so sediment can be managed and maintenance staged; the work is intended to protect downstream channels (Stevensville Ditch) and urban infrastructure; the plan contemplates a significant County match (Robinson cited a $20 million class cost and a county match around $1.8 million in one slide) and would require cooperation and memoranda of understanding with Cedar City and private pit owners.
Robinson and county staff noted the plan is long‑term: milling and pit‑use leases, conveyance changes and regular maintenance must be negotiated; the goal is to detain and recharge flood waters and prevent large volumes of sediment from travelling downstream and accumulating at airport and wastewater infrastructure.
Commissioners and staff discussed permitting, maintenance responsibilities, and the need for intergovernmental agreements. No final vote was taken; Robinson said the project will require continued coordination with NRCS and Cedar City and likely multi‑year planning and funding.
