by Dennis Dalman
A proposal for a flood-mitigation study of the Northcentral Watab Watershed in Sartell was approved unanimously by the Sartell City Council at its June 13 meeting.
The study will cost about $50,000.
That particular watershed, named for the Watab River, covers a large portion of Sartell. Some of its streets and homes have experienced serious flooding during the past 20 years, especially along and near Grizzly Lane and 13 Avenue N. The heavy rains of last month caused the worst flooding those areas have ever known, including damage to multiple homes.
Floods have damaged roads and property and interfered with some residents’ access to their homes.
The study, to be done by the city-contracted engineering firm of Short Elliott Hendrickson, will examine which mitigation efforts would be most effective in limiting or completely preventing flooding problems. The study will also involve the upcoming 15 Avenue extension project.
Topics of the study will include data collection and summaries of them, existing conditions, model updates and an analysis of flood-mitigation alternatives.
An initial draft report of the study will be presented to the city council for its input. By late summer or early fall, the completed study with its recommendations will be presented for the city council’s consideration.
