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December 2019 Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project News Copyrighted January 6, 2020 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 6. ITEM TITLE: December2019 Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project News SUM MARY: City Manager providing a copy of the December 2019 City of Dubuque Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project News Public Information Brochure. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File ATTACHMENTS: Description Type December Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Supporting Documentation Project News r � � � I I � � 1 ,�� ' � � � � � � � � � � � . - • Vol. 5 Issue 1 » December 2019 .�� .� � I � ._, __ _._ ', " ,- , � _ �--- �. ,�,. i �$,� ' � s ��.,;:,. _� , . � � ��t r�� ra� �� ` ;r:� -�.,�".�,,c� �'t�',��y, �,-,_�-'�",. +r,�'_ �_�,�1� �.�� ::�r�� e '�l ��l �� .ri�-- +"'' '�7 �, - '�. 4'�` � `�`�`�`p.�y �._ � . .. +4. __ _. " --- _�� . 9V!-�, , �, tt".n"`fx�u� �r„�A ' .. The Bee Branch Watershed _ �-. t - - _ _ : __ __ Flood Mitigation Project is `` ` � -- — a multi-faceted approach �F _- .,�;-� to address the severe =_ -_ and frequent flash flooding ��,�. experienced in the Bee - Branch Watershed. Bee Branch Protecting Dubuque Residents During Record-Setting Rain Flood disasters have repeatedly impacted According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),rainfall in southern residents and employees and eastern lowa in May 2019 was I 50 to 200 percent above average.In fact,lowa's 50J3 inches of businesses within the of precipitation from June 2018 to May 2019 set the record for rainfall and snow in a I 2-month watershed.Between 1999 period since official records began in 1895. and 2011,six Presidential Disaster Declarations were Locally,the average annual rainfall is 36.29 inches but the last two years have been anything issued with total damage but average. According to the National Weather Service,Dubuque received 55.01 inches of estimates of almost$70 Precipitation in 2018. This broke the previous record of 47.04 inches set just two years earlier million. in 2016. Total precipitation through November 2019 is nearly 53 inches—marking the second The project consists of consecutive year of more than 50 inches of precipitation in Dubuque. several infrastructure improvements thatwill From September to November,Dubuque received 22.35 inches of rain.This is I 3.88 inches above reduce the volume of normal and the fourth-wettest on record.September alone was the second-wettest on record stormwater,slow the rate of with I 3.3 I inches of rain. According to NOAA,if the last I 0 years of rainfall data is considered, stormwater through the upper the trend indicates that annual precipitation totals in Dubuque will increase by I I.5 inches over watershed,and increase the next decade,a 3 I.7 percent increase. the safe conveyance of stormwater through the flood-prone area. Even though it is not yet completed,the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project is functioning as designed and is protecting Dubuque residents and businesses from flash flooding The City has received$162.6 caused by heavy rainfall.The Bee Branch infrastructure improvements are providing incremental million in the form of grants, benefits. As each phase of construction is completed,Dubuque is seeing greater flash flood forgivable loans,and other protection. financial savings to help fund the$232 million project. Despite record-setting rainfall,very few properties have experienced flood damage since the completion of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration in 2017. Previously,residents and businesses in the watershed would have experienced devastating flash flooding during the last two record- Stay Connected setting years.The City would have received widespread reports of flooding and hundreds of basements filled with water but,due to improvements made throughout the watershed,there � � �� have been only minimal reports of damage. facebook.com/beebranchdbq @beebranchdbq The Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project is a long-term investment and there is more #beebranchbuzz work to be done but it is working and will continue to do so for generations to come.Over the cityofdubuque.org/beebranch next 100 years,this $232 million project is expected to prevent$582 million in damages. � 1 • i 1 • America's River III: A Lasting Improvement to Protect Our Friends & Neighbors � The Bee Branch Creek Greenway protects our friends and neighbors from � - C% devastating flash flooding and serves as a beautiful linear park. Amenities ��'�� stretch from the heart of Dubuque to the Mississippi River at Chaplain Schmitt Island. A range of naming opportunities are available including benches,bike rest stations,trees,brick pavers,and more.Each option includes ��. _�q - �:T , r _ a custom engraved message to be displayed at the amenity. i � ,I ;��,�-�:�� f. �� - � e� _ Naming Opportunities � __r _ �,,. `��,� _ ;I= �' - � � _ Personalized Brick Paver/$100 � . �� .� �w r - �, �" A personalized brick paver is a great way to honor someone.Whether they ��_��Y� �`�� - � grew up in the neighborhood or have a special connection to Dubuque,it is a i�„�.� `" - t� _ _ meaningful gift that will stand the test of time. �-�..�,,,�,'�°'� . � �a�';",",,. '��r �?�y��l'I I � � � ��'' � � Memorial Tree/$500 . _ .��-� _._ -�, .. The gift that grows and grows! Over I,000 new trees and shrubs have been '"'`w:�� q �� planted along the greenway.Name a tree in memory or celebration of your '� ��-`'�'� �� loved one and look forward to sitting its shade for years to come. � t e:�'��'�'�,�'w ��.. � � �i � �.,.;;� ��'�'�� Bike Rest Station/$1,000 ,_��` `�- . _; ,�,t�`� � Several bike racks located along the creek provide cyclists an area to keep °'' ' �`%` `°" '�. ° =� their equipment safe while enjoying the park. A personlized plaque at a bike . ��. - �� c� a_ `� ' station is a meaningul way to honor biking enthusiasts. r.� _ -'�.. . �'''.. , ,�� ; a�, �Y��. . Creekside Bench/$5,000 Several limestone benches have been placed along the creek.It's the perfect `' '�" �.�` ,� place to sit,enjoy the water,and watch the ducks.Name a bench for your �' � I� � _ _ ,;�,. , ;�a �� loved one and create a special spot in the greenway just for them! I �t �. �� ,�n — - L '� � b��; � Memorial Bench/$5,000 �'' Laser-cut decorative benches provide comfortable seating along the Upper �,� ION �� ,_, Bee Branch Trail. Residents and visitors often sit along the creek taking in � �; the sights and sounds of nature.Bench designs include biking along the Bee �; Branch or a Great Blue Heron. � '' �•�� " Gifts ranging between $500 - $5,000 receive a 5.875"x 2" plaque that can � � : _ �„ � ,� { �� be engraved with up to three lines of text,with 30 characters per line which �.- '�- ' � includes all spaces and punctuation marks. The plaque will be displayed at the _.:�: `.:.� _ amenity. _3.,;; . ,.��;.:� = - - Custom Message Personalized brick pavers are 7.625"x 3"and can be engraved with up to three lines of text,with 12 characters per line which includes all spaces and punctuation marks. Plaques and pavers will be installed in the spring of 2020. ,��. �I;:�;,�,� � �j�'_'.� For more information or to purchase a naming opportunity,call the City of �:�� ,�r��r:- _...�-.. ��z. . -�,,�._ �,� �,._ � . � Dubuque at 563.690.6068 or visit www.cityofdubuque.org/ar3. _ ��__ �_ '�� _ _ � �^� Committee Committee Members Honorary Chairs Joyce Connors Audrey Morey e�;�--.. Norma Denlinger Ann Cremer Ernestine Moss �,��be, Gary Dolphin Lauren Czeshinski Chip Murray Sue Hafkemeyer Peggy Hudson Eric Stierman Pam Jochum Dan White � 1 • i 1 • Construction Project Updates .� � _ - �le �� . _ : � ��' � � � �� I"� �,,�F ' . ,el ;, �. {�,�� ' -�-�» ;�i �l e� _ ' , . ; �A .,�,. �/,t�� ""e�y,�.' - - r':� Ir,�':� � /� ,/( •�r• � �r � � �°` � � �'� +4� '�, --#4� �`"�� ' \,��i,+l�,��t - � �-- � '- .��—�— �r �rr.- �� `" ��i.,� rf--� ,�,' " � � •. , e� L � ,� a�� _ ' — -= . � �- �� .. � � " � � �j _ _ — �,, %1� -�* _�, � � ��' � ..� " � _ , . .. , .��- � �, .._ _ _ � l; :a�-a_ -,,?�� : .,. , -.• - _ __,�, - : i� � .,. _ _ ,:_,� _ .,- r� �� ii ��. � �_ � _ �, , -� . _,, : ; � � �.� ._ \ � �� , `+� ."�`` �;��__� :.,-_ - ---- - yr � ` -- • - � .._a.�:� 22nd St. / Kaufmann Ave. Storm Sewer Bee Branch Creek Railroad Culverts Project Phase 2 of the 22nd St./Kaufmann Ave.project was The railroad culverts project is a critical phase of the larger constructed in sections throughout the 2019 construction Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project and,once season.The project included the relocation of underground completed,will greatly increase the flood mitigation system's utilities,a new 10 ft.x 6 ft.concrete storm sewer and high- capacity to protect the area from a 75-year rain event to a capacity storm drains to reduce street flooding,as well as 500-year rain event. total street and sidewalk reconstruction. The project involves using micro-tunneling methods to install Work began in late March between White St.and Central six,8-foot diameter pipes under the Canadian Pacific Railway Ave. The intersection of Central Ave.and Kaufmann along Garfield Ave.Each pipe is approximately 200 feet long. Ave.was closed for eight weeks from late April until June. Construction began in July and a project kick-off was held on Construction continued west up Kaufmann Ave.throughout Aug.8. To date,work has included shoring and constructing the the summer and fall with each section of the road opening launch and receiving pits for the micro-tunneling equipment. as it was finished.On November 27,Kaufmann Ave.between Central Ave.and N.Main St.opened to traffic.This phase of In early November,63 sections of pipe were delivered to the construction is now finished aside from some landscaping that construction site.Each pipe weighs approximately 30,000 Ibs. will be completed in the spring. They will be stored on site until installation in the spring. Currently,micro-tunneling is expected to begin in mid to Looking to the future,plans include expanding the storm late April. sewer up to Kane St. The project schedule is contingent on funding and has not yet been determined.To receive updates Project plans also include utilizing the two existing Bee Branch about the project,sign up for Bee Branch Project email and/ box culverts as a hike/bike path under the railroad tracks. or text alerts at www.cityofdubuque.org/notifyme. This will allow for the direct connection of the trail systems associated with the lower and upper sections of the Bee Branch Creek.The estimated project completion is 2021. Flood Mitigation Gate Replacement Project �`��/ In April,the U.S.Economic DevelopmentAdministration (EDA) . . awarded the City of Dubuque $2.5 million for the Bee Branch RE-I MAG I N E O� COMMUNITY Watershed Flood Mitigation Gate and Pump Station Replacement KICK-OFF project. The project includes new and additional flood gates and C O M I S K E l� pumps on the I 6th St.detention basin side of the John C.Culver J A N U A R Y 9 Floodwall adjacent to Kerper Blvd. The City invites you to re-imagine Comiskey Park,located Two existing pumps,which are more than 50 years old,will on Jackson St.between E.24th St.and E.25th St. be replaced and two additional pumps and a generator will be installed. The additional pumps will provide the capacity needed A Re-imagine Comiskey Community Kick-Off will be held to handle heavy rainstorms,such as the 2010,201 I,and July 2017 on Jan.9,from 6-8 p.m.atAudubon School.It will be an storm events,and serve as a backup in the event of a pump failure. interactive evening of idea sharing and imagining. What amenities are important to keep and/or upgrade? What The project is estimated to begin in late 2020 with improvements new equipment and activities would you like to see? Kids functional by 2021 and construction finished in early 2022. are welcome and complimentary food will be available. Additional funding for the $I 0.3 million project includes Flood Share your ideas at the kick-off and/or through the Mitigation Program money from the State of lowa and the local community survey at www.cityofdubuque.org/comiskey. stormwater fee. � 1 • i 1 • Bee Branch Watershed Stewardship Learning and volunteering in the Bee Branch Watershed! n__� � �� -._ -��' �� Q�YNorr:.;' � During September,three artists painted r ` �' — � e�' `''� storm drain murals in the Bee Branch � .... � '- ,� �,��.�� j� t�� F-� ��`� � � � � / �� ,�� „�� ' ' ��"�'� � �� ,�° Watershed.The project is part of the , , ,�l,`` `" �,►, .� �C� � � ��"�'��:�;� � � o • �; �'� City's education and outreach efforts to �'r'�'``� �� - ;' -�- � � �. �_ help community members understand � I� �� - � � � � � � �D� \I p �� that storm drains lead directly to our )� �] _ T'�e,a?r.:-c '- �� _ _ � �) v n,n''"\\ � ._'. � ' , �`� ' waterways.In the Bee Branch Watershed, � , e � �'� � ,° \ <I.e°�• A-- storm drains I ad to the Bee Branch �� > `�`�`� �� "' Creel<and then to the Mississippi River. w� � n�,i�,- ;� <� J � See the murals at the following locations: — On June 26,fourth graders from the St.Marl<Youth Enrichment �"'� ' Summer Heroes Academy explored the Bee Branch Creel<. , � -_ _ ,- , • Corner of W. I 5th St.and lowa St. � ` � '� � • White St.between 25th St.and 26th St. The y learned wh y the Bee Branch Creel<was built,how � , watersheds worl<,ways to prevent stormwater pollution,and � , • Lincoln Ave.in front of Audubon about the wildlife that now lives in the da li hted creel<. The �Q��' Elementary School Y g Y �� ` � even sampled the water for invertebrates! �''' .� � ''�E ' � � , ;a � �"` "'� "°�'� �� On October 9,students from Western �� x�� 4 i��` ��'� � � ��v,�.<3 _ '�i� ��' �r � � -� x,;�-s� Dubuque High School spent their morning �a►�_ r4.. •�� ^ ��- �� `�'� r^ �, '�tl� �;. , - �� '� a_� � �, : �',�' � '�'° � � "'� � �� , cleaning up the banl<s of the Lower Bee � _�- � �` � � y��_�'i��:�- _ �' ;,�� '�- �C�� r �;�" Branch Creel<. They collected 369 Ibs.of � ��`,'"� � , � ,f '>- " ` � � � � �� trash. Any school or community group is � - �� - �y`� �� , � ��, � � welcome to volunteer in the Bee Branch '„� �� _; �'' � '' Watershed! For more information, 5 ,;y� :��, �' ' c ' � �` ' � � ,� -A �` contact us at 563.690.6068 or email " g > �� -1°' � beebranch@cityofdubuque.org. �� , ., .._ ;��,+ � ' 1 i 1 • ... ' ' "' �OOZS b'I `anbnqnd '' �aa�lS ul£� ISaM OS idd}ssissty�aH}uo a�aidaa�sny� � S11Q 30 7C.LL7�H.L