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Catawba County requests FEMA approval to replace failed Riverbend Park culvert with small bridge
Summary
After culvert failures at Riverbend Park during Tropical Storm Helene, county staff recommended replacing the crossing with a small bridge (estimated $183,000). The Board authorized establishing the FEMA project and the County Manager to request the bridge as an alternate project; FEMA would cover 90% ($164,700). Second reading is scheduled for May 5, 2025.
Catawba County staff told commissioners on April 21 that both culvert pipes at Riverbend Park failed during Tropical Storm Helene and that a hydrologic and hydraulic study recommended replacing the culvert with a small bridge as the best long-term solution.
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC prepared the H&H analysis at the county’s request. The report presented three options: (1) repair the culvert to pre-storm conditions with the same pipe size (estimated $122,500); (2) repair with larger pipes for improved flow (estimated $127,500); or (3) replace the culvert with a small bridge to restore free water flow and improve stream stability and aquatic passage (estimated $183,000). County staff recommended Option 3.
Because a bridge would be an alternate project under FEMA Public Assistance rules, the Board authorized the County Manager to submit a written justification to FEMA requesting the alternate project and adopted a grant project ordinance to establish the Riverbend Park culvert replacement project. Staff noted the FEMA federal share would be 90% ($164,700) with a 10% state/local share of $18,300. Once FEMA approves the alternate project, the County may proceed with procurement and enter design and construction contracts up to the $183,000 project cap.
County staff recounted past problems with culvert-based crossings at the site: the 2004 Hurricane Frances event and a 2019 flash flood both produced instability that staff said has made culvert solutions challenging for this stream reach. Commissioners authorized establishing the project; because Commissioner Robert C. Abernethy was absent, staff said the item will be presented for a second reading on May 5, 2025.
No public opposition or alternative proposals were recorded in the meeting minutes.
The Board’s authorization allows the county to begin FEMA coordination and design work, subject to FEMA’s final approval of the alternate-project request.
