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Hot Springs seeks federal funding for downtown Whittington Creek detention basin
Summary
City staff asked the board to authorize applying for FEMA/Department of Homeland Security Community Project Funding for a Whittington Creek detention basin designed to reduce downtown flood risk by adding an estimated 10–15 acre-feet of storage; if awarded the federal grant could cover up to 75% and the city would provide a 25% match, which staff said would require a $269,427 budget transfer to reach the match amount.
Deputy city manager Denny McPhate and city staff asked the board to authorize an application for fiscal year 2027 community project funding through the U.S. House Appropriations process and to authorize conditional acceptance of any resulting FEMA grant award for the Whittington Creek Detention Basin downtown flood mitigation project.
McPhate said the basin is intended to slow stormwater flows before they enter downtown conveyance systems and estimated the basin would provide roughly "10 to 15 acre-feet of storage capacity," reducing peak flows into the downtown tunnel. (Denny McPhate)
Staff described the application as part of a phased approach: the proposed work would build a roughly 3-acre detention basin on Water Street to help mitigate downtown flooding and lower base flood elevations in the downtown corridor but not fully eliminate downtown flooding during a 100-year event. Staff said earlier hydrology and geotechnical work supports a design depth averaging about 10–12 feet, though borings are limited and rock could limit depths in places.
On funding, staff said the federal grant program can fund up to 75% of eligible project costs and that the city would be responsible for a 25% local match. City staff presented match figures in the packet and said the city has budgeted $305,498 in the stormwater grant-matching fund; if the board approves the application, staff would implement a $269,427 transfer from the stormwater fund balance to cover the remainder of the 25% match if an award is received.
Directors asked about scope, whether the price covers design and construction, and whether the basin would be open or paved; staff said the initial phase envisions open, natural detention with a walking trail and fencing for safety, and that additional detention areas may be needed in the future to fully mitigate downtown flood risk.
Next steps: the board was asked to authorize submission through the appropriations database and to authorize staff to accept and administer any award contingent on budget adjustments if the grant is made.
