HomeMy WebLinkAboutPIM_10-26-2011_Handout
Sawyer Creek Channel Improvements
Contract 12-03
Public Information Meeting
October 26, 2011
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Room O, Oshkosh West High School
Sawyer Creek Channel Improvements
Purpose of Meeting
The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to provide you with information about the proposed Sawyer Creek
Channel improvements and how this project interacts with the Sawyer Creek Stormwater Management
Plan. The Sawyer Creek Watershed has its headwaters approximately three and a half miles southwest
of the intersection of 20th Avenue and Claireville Road. The water within the watershed generally runs
in a northeasterly direction towards the Fox River. Sawyer Creek enters the Fox River just downstream
of the Oshkosh Avenue Bridge.
There will be a brief presentation beginning at 6:00 p.m. The remainder of the meeting will be
conducted in an “open house” format. You are invited to inspect the display boards and review the
information included with this handout. Please feel free to ask questions or share your comments with
any of the City staff present.
There is a public input form attached to this handout for your use. We appreciate your input and ask that
you take a few moments to complete the form and deposit it in the box provided, or mail it to the
Department of Public Works. A Public Input box is located on the table as you entered the room.
The full presentation is available online at:
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Public_Works/Storm_Water_Utility.htm
Background Information
The City of Oshkosh frequently experiences flooding during rain events. Some of these flooding
incidents are severe, as were the June, 2008, June, 2004 and June, 1993 flood events. Other events are
not as severe, as were experienced in 1996, 1999 (twice), and 2000. The main cause of the flooding
during storm events is the inability of the storm sewer system to effectively convey the runoff.
As development takes place, pervious surfaces (grass and fields for example) are replaced with
impervious surfaces (roofs and driveways for example). The higher percentage of impervious surfaces
present in a watershed, the greater the amount of runoff generated. From the beginning of development
in the City of Oshkosh until 1990, there was no ordinance in place to control the effect of storm water
runoff from development. In addition to the increased amount of runoff generated, design requirements
have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Previously, storm sewer systems were designed
to convey only very small rainfall events, and the larger events were left to flood streets. Current design
standards require storm sewers to convey larger storm events before flooding takes place on streets. The
combination of lower design standards, increased impervious area within the watershed, and a lack of
storm water management regulations prior to 1990 have caused the piping systems that were installed
prior to the 1990’s to be incapable of conveying the amount of runoff that is now generated.
Project Overview
The Sawyer Creek Channel improvements extend from Koeller Street to the Fox River. The project is
necessary because Sawyer Creek has become choked with sediment, and the banks have become
unstable in areas because of heavy erosion.
Project Purpose and Need
Reduce peak flooding elevation (shrink floodplain extents)
Improve conveyance capacity
Stabilize eroded banks
Complement the widening of the Westfield Street bridge
Improve navigability
Improve public access to the waterway
Proposed Improvement
Dredge built-up sediment
Reprofile natural channel bottom
Install boulder revetment in heavily eroded areas upstream of Westfield Street bridge
Create fish habitat near Red Arrow and West Algoma parks
Install canoe access in West Algoma park
Remove invasive plant species in Red Arrow park
Schedule
Public Information Meeting No. 1 October 26, 2011
WDNR Public Hearing March 2012
Final Design April 2012
Advertise and Bid May 2012
Construction June-October 2012
Public Comments
We urge you to talk with the staff members that are present tonight and ask any questions you may have.
We also encourage you to complete the attached Public Input form and drop it in the box provided, or
return it to the Department of Public Works by November 9, 2011.
For more information, please contact:
James Rabe, P.E.
City of Oshkosh
Department of Public Works
215 Church Avenue
P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
Phone: (920) 236-5065
Email: jrabe@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Matthew Yentz, P.E.
Strand Associates, Inc.®
910 West Wingra Drive
Madison, WI 53715
Phone: (608) 251-4843
E-mail: matthew.yentz@strand.com
Thank you for attending this public information meeting.
City of Oshkosh
Public Information Meeting Comments
Sawyer Creek Channel Improvements
FROM: TO:
Name Attn: James Rabe, P.E.
Address City of Oshkosh
215 Church Street
P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
Representing
Comments: