Update From the City RE: Rolling Ridge Flood Mitigation

Below is a summary from the City's engineer regarding the upcoming project that will deepen the creek bed (AKA "open channel" or "ditch") along Rolling Ridge Drive. 

Frank,

The project is moving along with recent field inspections by DNR and other consultant staff as you have noticed.  The project is anticipated to start following the receipt of DNR permits in late June.

 

Kristian Nysome in the Engineering Office will be managing the project and is included in this email.  He will be sending out a project information letter to residents in the next two weeks that includes the planned project scope, timeframe and contact information.

 

This is the next phase of the project, following the upsizing of the culverts that was completed last year, to alleviate the flooding issues in the area that were identified through the City's Storm Water Management Plan. The project is required to reduce property damage risks and improve safety.

 

The project is being permitted through the DNR and the notice for the public comment period will be sent out by them as necessary based on their permitting process.  These are expected to be sent out in the next couple of weeks.

 

The trees in the ditch area have been evaluated and those that are considered non-invasive, in good condition, and do not directly impact the goal of the project will be worked around.  In addition, it is planned to add new City trees along project limits following the completion of the project.

 

Christopher Langemak, P.E.

Project Engineer

City of Waukesha

P: 262-524-3598

C: 262-349-6512

DPW Announces 2021 Projects; Will Include Rolling Ridge "Ditch Grading"

This is page 3 from the City of Waukesha's Dept. of Public Works (DPW) Winter 2021 newsletter.  All City of Waukesha residents should have received this newsletter.  You may have to expand the photo, but #12 on the list is the second phase of the flood mitigation efforts that began this summer with the installation of box culverts along the creek bed or open channel along Rolling Ridge Drive.  This work took place prior to the repaving of Rolling Ridge and the adjacent courts.  

The "ditch grading" that is listed will result in the deepening of the creek bed to match the depth of the newly installed box culverts from Devonshire Court down to University Drive. The project still has to be approved by the DNR following public hearings. 

In order to deepen the creek bed, numerous dead and living trees will have to be cleared, along with bushes and other vegetation.  Many dead and diseased trees will be removed but a fair number of healthy trees may have to be removed as well.  We hope that when more details about the project are shared with us, we will have a better understanding of the potential impact on the appearance of the area along the creek bed.

We will be watching for information about the public hearing that will be conducted by the DNR and the City prior to the start of the project.  Stay tuned. 
 

Initial Meadowview Park Projects Completed

The bridge along the walking path at Waukesha's newest City park, Meadowview, has been completed.  In addition, the playground is now fully operational and is being visited often despite the snow and cool temperatures.  

Meadowview Park is located at the corner of Northview and Meadowbrook Roads.  The park's master plan calls for numerous other projects, but there is no timeline set for those additions at the present time. 

To view the City's master plan for Meadowview Park, select the link below:

https://waukesha-wi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/17_0411_MV_MP_Report1?bidId=

 

 

Meadowview Park Walking Path Bridge Nearing Completion

 

The bridge connecting the walking path around Meadowview Park should be completed soon.  These photos were taken on Dec. 8 and 9.  The park is located off of Lancaster Drive at the corner of Meadowbrook and Northview Roads.  

Volunteers Needed for Community Build Project at Meadowview Park 9-12 & 13

 Here's the scene today (Sept. 1) of the preparations for the playground area at Waukesha's newest park, Meadowview.  The playground and a foot bridge over the wetlands are among the projects scheduled for completion this fall.  In addition, work on the bio-filtration ponds is continuing.  The park is located on the corner of Meadowbrook and Northview Roads. 

 If you would like to be part of the construction team that assembles the playground equipment, select the link below to find out how you can volunteer on Sept. 12-13.You may have to paste the link into your browser.

https://waukesha-wi.gov/581/Upcoming-Events

 

 

 

 

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