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Flood study finds Ford Creek capacity limits cause Main Street flooding; staff recommends temporary storage options
Summary
A consultant concluded limited Ford Creek capacity and undersized storm drains cause Main Street flooding; staff outlined three similar-cost options (vaulted underground storage, conveyance pipe, or a detention pond) with estimated costs up to $2.8M and no currently identified funding.
Staff presented findings from a Main Street flood study that identified insufficient Ford Creek capacity and undersized storm drains as the primary cause of periodic flooding near the library and Main Street corridor. The consultant recommended temporary storage approaches to hold stormwater during peak intensity events and then pump it back to the creek once flows subside.
Three feasible approaches were presented, all with similar preliminary cost estimates (roughly $2.6—2.8 million): (1) an underground vault system to provide temporary storage, (2) a conveyance pipe adjacent to the creek to increase capacity, or (3) a detention pond on a nearby vacant parcel under consideration for acquisition and park space. Staff said there is currently no identified funding to implement the recommended improvements; operations will continue with preventative maintenance (vegetation and debris removal) to reduce immediate flood risk.
Council asked who owns and maintains Ford Creek; staff confirmed the city is the owner and that minor cleanups and vegetation management have been performed in the past but major dredging or storage construction has not been undertaken. Staff will continue to explore funding opportunities and partnerships to implement a solution.
