Bicknell residents, council weigh concrete barriers, regrading to curb flooding on 400 West

A large public discussion at the Oct. 30 Bicknell town work meeting focused on recurring stormwater flooding in the 400 West area and possible low-cost solutions. Residents and council members described water "jumping" a low corner, clogged grates filled with leaves and apples, and channel changes that now send more runoff toward private yards.

The town discussed several options: extending a line of interlocking concrete blocks along the west side of the road to force water toward the town ditch, building up the west-side grade with road base and gravel so water runs off into the road, installing a larger or additional culvert under a driveway, and clearing or removing obstructions such as an apple tree that residents say plugs drains.

"I went and unplugged the drain that goes down through the clinic parking lot. Half the water disappeared," said Emily, a resident who has been monitoring recent storms. She said digging out a plugged drain during a storm allowed water to flow again and reduced yard flooding. That account was offered as evidence that clearing and maintaining the existing drainage path can provide immediate relief.

Property owner Boone said he was not opposed to turning water away from yards but warned that filling an existing channel could move the problem upstream. "If you fill that ditch with that rock like I have done ... and then build the west side of the ditch up a little between that and your fence, you turn it out up higher and then went down by the corner," Boone said, describing the approach he supports.

Council members shared local staff resources and the town's constraints. Howard (a resident who could not attend the meeting in full) told staff he would be willing to haul blocks and use a crane to help place them. The council asked staff to consult Jeremy and Tony (town public-works staff), measure materials and obtain cost estimates for blocks, caps, road base and culverts. Maureen, presiding over the meeting, said the town would gather prices and reconvene with Boone and Howard to reach an agreeable plan.

Councilmembers and residents emphasized short-term, affordable fixes that could be performed with town resources rather than lengthy grant searches. They also agreed to test flows in the field (including a hydrant flush to observe where water runs) and to clear debris at key grates. "We're gonna get some prices and stuff, maybe we could get Boone and Howard come back, and we could all of us just sit down and agree to it," Maureen said.

Next steps: staff will collect pricing and feasibility information for concrete barrier blocks, road base/gravel regrading and culvert options; the council will meet residents on site and seek to agree on a plan before the next major storm.