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Council discusses flood response, canal limits and reservoir planning
Summary
Council members reviewed recent flood damage, said canal systems were overwhelmed and outlined coordination with NRCS and the Price Wellington Canal Company on maintenance and a reservoir study; officials said engineering costs have risen and funding applications will be pursued.
The Price City council spent much of the workshop outlining ongoing flood response work and plans to pursue funding and design support for drainage projects. Chair (speaker S1) said staff and volunteers have been identifying new high-risk areas since last year’s storms and that the city has a meeting scheduled with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to press the issues.
The council emphasized limits of local channels. Committee member S4, who attended a meeting with the Price Wellington Canal Company, said the canal was “overwhelmed” during the recent storm and that canal owners are looking at deepening or widening but the canal will be maintained to the level for which it was originally built.
Why it matters: Council members described recurring, localized flooding that has damaged basements and roadways and said some drainage failures appear tied to upstream runoff and blocked drains. The council framed the conversation as a mix of immediate clean-up and longer-term capital projects, with the goal of getting projects into grant cycles.
Council members and staff outlined near- and mid-term steps. Chair S1 said staff (including Justin and Nicole of NRCS, referenced by council members) are cataloging problem areas and will discuss funding options with congressional staff. S2 said one canal-adjacent crossing (Carbon Avenue Crossing) carries an updated estimated price tag “over $1,000,000,” and council members noted that original COVID-era estimates have grown substantially.
The council also discussed a reservoir project: S1 said Bryce Wellington is on board to help coordinate and that negotiator Eric will lead talks with Carbon Canal and potential design funding. Committee members stressed the need to find contractors and that some work will be timed to match available grant cycles (staff noted applications are typically competitive and projects can be scheduled years out).
Claims and follow-up: S4 described at least one home with a finished basement ruined by floodwater where upstream drainage and an unbuilt subdivision drainage plan failed; the council said the property owner and developers will need to remedy drainage problems. Staff and council members said they will pursue funding and technical support and will return with further details. The meeting did not record a formal vote or adopt a specific funding commitment.
Next steps: Council members said staff will meet with NRCS and pursue grant opportunities in upcoming cycles; the reservoir presentation for an application was noted as upcoming on Monday. The council encouraged neighborhood-led cleanups and offered limited city resources—trucks and trailers—where possible.
