Golden Valley Flood Mitigation Efforts Working Amid Recent Rainfall
As the forecast predicts another rainy week, Medicine Lake Road is staying dry. That’s largely thanks to collaboration between area cities, Hennepin County and the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission in recent years.
The entities came up with solutions to persistent roadway flooding years ago through a flood mitigation plan. After a number of dry years, this year’s rainy season is testing their efforts.
“While several of those years have experienced drought, these systems haven’t really been tested until this year, when we’ve received all this rainfall,” Ryan said.
Medicine Lake Road was a frequent victim of flooding at its low spots in Golden Valley.
This is a far cry from just over five years ago, when it was a common spot for heavy flooding thanks to the nearby DeCola Ponds, a series of ponds in the neighborhood labeled A-F. A 2015 report from the city of Golden Valley said the road would flood up to five feet high after heavy rainfall.
“Historically, there’s been flooding in the area, including Medicine Lake Road and some of the infrastructure and buildings nearby,” said Golden Valley City Engineer Michael Ryan.
Fix for Flooding
The 2016 flood mitigation plan also summarized several past significant flood events near DeCola ponds. According to the plan, several inches of rain were enough to create flooding at low points on the road, making it impossible to pass through.
Crystal, New Hope and Golden Valley worked collaboratively with outside partners to make and execute a plan of action beginning in 2014. The city’s website said outside partners include Hennepin County, Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, the DNR and Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Ryan said over the last five years, that effort appears to be working.
“While several of those years have experienced drought, these systems haven’t really been tested until this year, where we’ve received all this rainfall,” Ryan said.
Some of the project’s efforts include planting more native vegetation.
This system, Ryan said, includes expanding the base of the DeCola Ponds to hold more water. It also focused on adding more native plants, which Ryan said also has environmental benefits.
“That all really helps absorb some of the water with the deep roots that native vegetation tends to have,” Ryan said.
The Liberty Crossing development of apartments and townhomes, located right off DeCola Pond B, also added on-site flood storage. Ryan said today, it appears the hard work is paying off.
“Being able to keep that dry because of these improvements, and others going on in the city, has really been critical to helping provide equitable access,” Ryan said.
Work is still to come. You can read more about the plan and the project goals on Golden Valley’s website.
