Public works previews flood-model maps, plans for Leawood South/Waterford stormwater work

The Leawood public works director, David Lay, presented flood-model mapping for the Leawood South and Waterford neighborhoods during the July 7 City Council meeting and said the engineering team calibrated models with observed flood elevations to design stormwater improvements.

Council member Lisa Harrison praised the mapping and urged staff to share it with affected property owners. Lay said engineers surveyed the area, calibrated models using photos and elevation data, and will use the same modeling to test proposed storm-sewer improvements. Staff plans a public meeting later this month to present designs to residents; a broader residents’ meeting on stormwater for the area is anticipated in August.

Lay said the Leawood South area contains corrugated metal pipes that will need replacement; the South/Waterford area is the last in the city with metal pipe and will be scheduled for replacement at the appropriate phase of construction. He also reported recent public-works patching projects on 80th Street, 90th Street and Mission Road and said a more durable repair approach is intended to extend service for two to three years before full reconstruction.

Council members emphasized outreach to homeowners, showing the calibrated flood maps to homeowners ahead of easement requests and noting that backyard drainage features are intended components of the system. Lay said the project design will aim to preserve swales and other flow paths and asked residents not to fill backyard swales that are part of the drainage network.

Council accepted Lay’s staff report unanimously; the item will move into planning and public-meeting phases for affected neighborhoods.