Additional Summary of the Waukesha Flood Mitigation Study Now Available

Here is another summary of the flood mitigation work done by the City of Waukesha.  This summary is from Chris Langemak of the City of Waukesha. FDR

The City was looked at several years ago by a consultant to address several of the areas around the City that were prone to flooding.  There were 10 areas identified in the initial study as well as preliminary solutions along with budgetary numbers to act a guidance for the projects.  For each area, the preliminary solutions are reanalyzed in greater details and the projects move into a design phase and ultimately construction.

In this area, two of the drainage basins were looked at, Areas 1 & 2 since they impact each other.  A basic look at the areas is Area 1 is Rolling Ridge Dr from the bypass to University Dr and Area 2 is University Dr south of Pebble Valley Rd.

Water from the west side of the bypass comes across the highway near Woodridge Ln and travels the open channel to University.  One of the primary problems is the culverts were undersized for all of this water.  Water would fill the channel, jump back out onto the roadway, run down the roadway to University Dr and continue to the south into the Rolling Ridge South Subdivision.

Several years ago when the bypass was constructed and the first phase of Area 1&2 took place, a structure was installed to intercept excess water as it crossed the bypass near Woodridge Ln.  This water was routed south out of the basin and into Meadowview Park where it is detained in a series of ponds and released into Pebble Creek.  This helps reduce the excess flow coming from the west from getting to the open channel.

The studies also looked at the open channel along Rolling Ridge Dr and determined which ones were still undersized based on the restricted flow which is the basis of the current project.

The current project starts at Devonshire since that is where the consultants studies show it is needed.  Looking at the existing systems, this is makes sense since this is downstream from Lancaster where another 48” sewer bring water from the south and west discharges next to the existing 48” culvert bring water from the open channel along Rolling Ride Dr.  Currently these two 48” sewers are directing water to a single 42” culvert at Devonshire.

I hope that clears things up a little.  If not, please feel to contact me.

Christopher Langemak, P.E. 

Project Engineer

City of Waukesha

P: 262-524-3598

C: 262-349-6512

clangemak@waukesha-wi.gov

www.waukesha-wi.gov

City's Flood Mitigation Report Available for Your Review

   

 This link will take you to the City of Waukesha's 72 page report on flood mitigation:

 

 https://waukesha-wi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11187/Final--Area-1-and-2-Alternatives-Analysis-Report---Copy-for-website

Residents Adjacent to Creek Alerted About Flood Mitigation Plans

 

WMC              Windings Maintenance Corporation

                                      PO Box 5001, Waukesha, WI 53187-5001

 

August 13, 2020

Dear Neighbor:

I am contacting you because your property is adjacent to the creek bed that runs along Rolling Ridge DR. 

In the past few weeks, the WMC Board has learned more details about the flood mitigation efforts that are currently underway in the City of Waukesha.  This includes the plans to control storm runoff along the creek.

During the current repaving of Rolling Ridge DR, one of the many projects that are being completed prior to actual repaving concerns the “box culverts” that are being installed between University DR and Devonshire CT.  These culverts are larger than the previous versions to help mitigate flooding. One fact we learned recently was that a second phase is planned to remove all of the vegetation and trees along the creek and to reshape and deepen the creek bed.  The City was actually planning to complete this project during the current repaving, but the DNR would not grant permission.  Below is a summary of the plan written by Craig Ausen, head engineer of the Rolling Ridge DR repaving project.

“In 2014 the City of Waukesha hired a consultant to analyze the entire City for flooding issues and areas where the City can cost effectively solve flooding issues. One of the areas noted in the report is Area 1 and 2 (Rolling Ridge Drive) which was further analyzed in 2017 to determine the best and most cost effective solutions. The study called for a need to upsize all culvert crossings along Rolling Ridge Drive from Devonshire Ct to University Dr and re-grading / cleaning the ditch to increase capacity. Due to WiDNR constraints the City has decided to split this project into two phases. The first phase which is being completed right now includes the upsizing of the existing culvert crossings. Phase 2 which is tentatively scheduled for 2021 will include the clearing of trees/shrubs/invasive species within the ditches of the project grading limits, grading/lowering of the existing ditch line, and restoring areas with rip rap and sod.”

This is good and bad news.  The good news is that many dead, eroded and diseased trees, as well as a plethora of invasive vines and buck thorn bushes, will be removed by the City instead of the WMC.  The bad news is that many healthy trees may be removed, changing the appearance significantly along Rolling Ridge DR. 

If you would like to ask questions or express your feelings about the plans for the creek, I have included contact information for Craig Ausen and your elected officials below.  The WMC Board has not taken a stand on this proposal at the present time. 

Craig Ausen:  (262) 349-6516, CAusen@waukesha-wi.gov; Mayor Shawn Reilly: (262) 524-3700, sreilly@waukesha-wi.gov; Alderman Peter Bartels: (262) 442-4998, alddist5@waukesha-wi.gov

Regards, 

Frank Remfrey, President 

Windings Maintenance Corp.