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Army Engrs Couler Valley study DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS CLOCK TOWER BUILDING - P.O. BOX 2004 ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS 61204-2004 February 24, 2003 Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division Ms. Donna L. Smith Chairperson Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Courthouse - 720 Central Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7053 Dear Ms. Smith: I am pleased to provide you with a copy of our Scope of Work for the proposed Special Study along the Couler Valley reach of the Little Maquoketa River in Dubuque County. We are in the process of requesting funding for this study from our Division Headquarters in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and we will notify you when funds become available. If you require further assistance in this matter, please feel free to call Mr. Michael Zukowski or Mr. Dennis Hamilton in our Project Management Branch, telephone 309/794-5890 and 309/794-5634, respectively. Sincerely, Gary L. Loss, P.E Chief, Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division Enclosure Copies Furnished: Honorable Ralph Dean Mayor of Sageville 10838 Highway 52N Dubuque, Iowa 52001 (with enclosure) Mr. Daniel Nicholson Councilman-at-Large City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 (with enclosure) Mr. Mark Jobgen County Engineer 13063 Seipple Road Dubuque, Iowa 52002 (with enclosure) CEMVR-PM-M 12 February 2003 SCOPE OF WORK Planning Assistance to States Flood Study FOR: Dubuque County, Iowa PREPARED BY: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District 1. Description of Study: Undertake a hydrologic and hydraulic study for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating, and recalibrating the existing hydraulic and hydrologic model for the Little Maquoketa River. As required, the model will be updated to reflect changes in stream geometry that have occurred since the model was initially calibrated in 1980. Conduct a ground survey to replicate, as nearly as possible, the cross-sectional information developed for the previous calibration. Identify and recommend possible flood reduction measures based on modeling results. II. Study Area: The study area is limited to approximately 3 miles of the Little Maquoketa River from just upstream of Highway 52 to its confluence with the Mississippi River. The study area is located in Couler Valley, Dubuque County, Iowa. III. Work Elements: The following activities will be completed in the course of this study effort: A. Ground Surve,Ang: A ground survey will be completed along the 3-mile reach of the Little Maquoketa River included in this study. This will result in the preparation of between 7 and 10 cross sections and 3 bridge structures in ASCII format. Each cross section will extend to the 500-year floodway, and if required, beyond, so as to define critical surface features that may impact surface runoff. B. Hydrology and Hydraulic Analysis: Initially, the data contained in the 1995 Flood Insurance Study and the 1980 HEC Hydraulic Model will be evaluated to determine their adequacy for this study effort. As required, the peak discharges for the 10-, 50-, 100- and 500-year flood events will be computed using standard engineering methodologies. The HEC- RAS Hydraulic Model will be updated to generate water surface elevations for the 10-, 50-, 100- and 500-year flood events. The impact of stream sediment on water surface elevations will be determined. Flow frequency values will be coordinated with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. C. Flood Reduction: The results of the modeling effort will be evaluated and recommendations for flood reduction will be made. IV. Deliverables: A report will be prepared describing the floodplain study and summarizing the results. Six copies of the study will be furnished. The report will include the following: A. A discussion of the study methodology B. A copy of the model input and output files, both hard copy and electronic. C. Water surface profiles D. Benchmarks and ground control data E. Flood Reduction Alternatives and Recommendations V. Cost Estimate: The cost to complete the study delineated above is estimated as follows: Task Responsibility Cost ($) Duration (wk) Site Reconnaissance ED-HH 2,800.00 1 Ground Surveys ED-S 10,400.00 4 Hydrologic Analysis ED-I-IH 2,000.00 I 4 HEC-RAS Analysis ED-HH 10,000.00 I 8 Sediment Analysis ED-HH 3,000.00 I 2 Report Preparation ED-HH 3,800.00 I 4 Study Coordination ED-HH 6,000.00 Study Management PM-M 2.000.00 TOTAL 40,000.00 VI. Schedule: See attached schedule. Includes: Study Coordination, Technical Review and Quality Control Little Maquoketa River - Dubuque County, Iowa Proposed Schedule Feb-03 TASK I WEEK 4 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 1401 ~ I 421 431 ~41 451 461 471 4~1 491 201 24 1. Site Reconnaissance 2. Ground Survey 3. Hydrologic Analysis 4. HEC-RAS Analysis 5. Sediment Analysis 6. Draft Report 7. Rev & Finalize Rept. QLY TO ATTENTION OF DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS CLOCK TOWER BUILDING .P.O. BOX 2004 ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS 61204-2004 October 31, 2002 Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division Ms. Donna L. Smith Chairperson Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Courthouse Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7053 Dear Ms. Smith: This letter is a follow up to the site visit and meeting on October 7, 2002, with Messrs. Dennis Hamilton and Mark Schroeder of my staff to discuss flooding problems in the Couler Valley area, as requested by your letter of July 1, 2002. Enclosed is a memorandum summarizing this meeting. Although our study of Couler Valley flooding in 1987 indicated that no alternatives were economically justified, we concur that flooding problems appear to have increased and that addi- tional study is warranted. The Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will request funds on your behalf under the authority of Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act or Section 206 of the 1960 Flood Control Act, to initiate a study of flooding in the Little Maquoketa River and the Couler Valley near Sageville, Iowa. We will contact you when funding becomes available. Information about our studyprocesses is included in the Flood Damage Reduction "Toot Kit" that was provided to you at the meeting. We look forward to working with you on this project. If you should have any questions, please call Mr. Dennis Hamilton at 309/794-5634. Sincerely, Enclosure ORIGINAL SIGNED BY Gary L. Loss, P.E. Chief, Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division Copies Furnished: Honorable Jim Nussle Representative in Congress Attention: Ms. Anne Rave 712 West Main Street Manchester, Iowa 52057 (with enclosure) Honorable Charles E. Grassley United States Senator 206 Federal Building I01 - Ist Street SE. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-1227 (with enclosure) Mr. Gary Latham 19329 Mud Lake Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001-9715 (with enclosure) Mayor Ralph Dean City of Sageville 10838 Highway 52 N Dubuque, Iowa 52001 (with enclosure) CEMVR-PM-M 23 October 2002 MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD SUBJECT: Meeting to Discuss Couler Valley Flooding, Dubuque County, Iowa 1. At the request of Dubuque County, the subject meeting was held at Eichman's Restaurant in Sageville on 7 October 2002 to discuss recent flood damage to properties in the Couler Valley area. The following attended the meeting: · Donna Smith Dubuque County Board of Supervisors · Mark Jobgen, Dubuque County Engineer · Dan Nicholson Dubuque City Council · Numerous local residents See attached sign-in sheet · Dennis Hamilton Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District · Mark Schroeder Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District 2. SUMMARY: Local residents described the flooding problems and how they have increased in recent years. They attributed the increased flooding to development in the floodplain, changes in the watershed, sediment and debris buildup in the Little Maquoketa River, and the bridge at Herber Road. Residents agreed that flooding from the Couler Ditch has not been a problem; the flood damages result from high stages in the Little Maquoketa River. We discussed the 1987 Reconnaissance Study prepared by the Rock Island District to address flooding in the Couler Valley. This report found no alternative was economically justified. Some of the properties subject to damage in 1987 are now protected from floods and the potential flood damage reduction benefits would be reduced. It may be possible that current flood profiles are higher than projected in the 1987 report; however, the amount of change may not be substantial enough to justify a Federal project. The 1987 report relied on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance study for Little Maquoketa River flood profiles. The report did not address methods of reducing flood stages in the Little Maquoketa River. Mr. Jobgen pointed out that the Little Maquoketa River floodplain has experienced a large amount of sediment buildup in recent years but did not believe the Herber bridge has a substantial impact on flood stages. Flooding in the Little Maquoketa River is further exacer- bated by high stages on the Mississippi River, about 3 miles downstream. We discussed the process for conducting a Section 205 feasibility study for the Little Maquoketa River and I provided copies of our Flood Damage Reduction "Tool Kit." I explained that the first step would be an initial assessment to determine if there is a Federal interest in a detailed feasibility study. Due to the high frequency of flooding and the apparent worsening of flooding, there is a high degree of local support for a Section 205 study. CEMVR-PM-M SUBJECT: Meeting to Discuss Couler Valley Flooding, Dubuque County, Iowa Following the meeting, we toured areas along the Little Maquoketa River to view the sedimentation and debris restrictions. We found evidence of large mounts of sediment that could have a substantial impact on flood stages. Dennis W. Hamilton, P.E. Project Manager CF: Dist File (PM-M) PM (Schroeder) PM-M (Hamilton) ED-DM (Less) EM ORIGINAL SIGNED BY Project Manager ATTENTION OF DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS CLOCK TOWER BUILDING - P.O. BOX 2004 ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS 61204-2004 March 11, 2003 Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division Ms. Ellen Hall 17461 Sageville Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001-9428 Dear Ms. Hall: I have received your letter of February 12, 2003, and I wish to thank you for taking the time to write me explaining your concerns about flooding from the Little Maquoketa River. As you know the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has a long history of providing cost-effective flood protection measures to our customers, the citizens of the United States. It is the input from individuals like you that allows us to address the needs of our customers. Your letter raises a number of issues, both directly and indirectly related to the Corps' proposed study of the Little Maquoketa River, and I am addressing them as follows: a. I have enclosed copies of the Corps' most recent correspondence with the Board of Supervisors relating to the Little Maquoketa River Flood Study. The first is our October 31, 2002, letter which provides basic information on our process, summarizes the findings of our 1987 study, and transmits the report of our October 7, 2002, meeting with concerned citizens (Enclosure 1). The second letter, dated February 24, 2003, provided the County and other officials with a copy of our proposed plan of study for the Little Maquoketa River (Enclosure 2). b. Preparing to defend one's home from the ravages ora flood is not a pleasant chore. I have enclosed the following reports that may help you in this effort: - Flood Proofing - Techniques. Prom'ams. and References, dated September 1997 (Enclosure 3) - Repairing Your Flooded Home (Enclosure 4) - Flood Proofing - How to Evaluate Your Options, dated July 1993 (Enclosure 5) As another resource, I suggest you call Mr. Thomas Berger at the Dubuque County Emergency Management Office, telephone 563/589-4i 70, to find out what programs, if any, they may have that could be of assistance to you. c. Prior studies of the Little Maquoketa River have been unable to justify a Federal project to provide flood protection. The new study is intended to reevaluate the situation to find out what has changed in the past 20 years and how much it has changed. The recent flooding you have experienced may be caused by a combination of factors, including bridges, land development, and deposits of sediment in the river and floodplain. One part of the study will evaluate the river valley to determine if sediment deposits have increased flood stages and what measures would help to reduce the flooding. The bridges will also be looked at to see what role they play in the flooding. d. The new study provides the County and the City with information to develop a long- term flood control program for the valley. The Corps provides these services to our customers at no local cost, as the study is fully funded with Federal tax dollars. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding our upcoming study, but if you need additional information, please call the Study Manager, Mr. Michael P. Zukowski, Project Management Branch, telephone 309/794-5890. Sincerely, Dennis W. Hamilton, P.E. Project Manager Enclosures Copies Furnished: Ms. Donna L. Smith Chairperson Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Courthouse - 720 Central Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7053 (with Enclosures 1 and 2) V/Mr. Daniel Nicholson Councilman-at-Large City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 (with Enclosures 1 and 2) Copies Furnished (Continued): Mr. Thomas Berger Dubuque County Emergency Management Office Courthouse - 720 Central Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7053 (with Enclosures 1 and 2) Mr. Mark Jobgen County Engineer 13063 Seipple Road Dubuque, Iowa 52002 (with Enclosures 1 and 2)