WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Service Manager
Title
UPDATE ON JUDICIAL DITCH NO. 1 MAINTENANCE AND STATUS OF CULVERTS EAST OF HASTINGS STREET
Background
Update of Judicial Ditch No. 1
Staff contacted Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to gain a better understanding of the maintenance schedule for Judicial Ditch No. 1 (JD1) as shown on the attached map. RCWD cleaned JD1 south of 85th Avenue and west of Coral Sea St in the City of Mounds View in the fall of 2016. A section was also cleaned north of 85th Avenue and west of Xylite Street in the summer of 2016. Staff has asked for a schedule for future maintenance of the system in the City of Blaine but has not received any additional information from RCWD.
Status of Culverts East of Hastings Street
Staff contacted Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) to get an update on the condition of the County Ditch system in this area. According to the CCWD 2015 Ditch report for the area, their records show that the stormwater drainage system is adequately designed and maintained in this area to convey the average precipitation events and prevent long duration flooding. However, this area is the headwater of three watersheds where recent years of above average precipitation and short duration/high intensity storms have resulted in high groundwater and localized flooding. This area was developed prior to the requirements for stormwater treatment to address water quality and flooding. In review of historical aerial photos, several wetlands were also filled to allow for the developments, reducing the holding capacity for stormwater.
The culverts east of Hastings Street and south of Highway 10 are part of the County Ditch 41 system. The ditch system through the large parcel shown on the attached map east of Hastings Street is a private ditch system with a plastic 15” culvert under a trail. During the inspection, the culvert was clean and free of debris. The property in which the culvert is located is owned by the Spring Lake Park School District (SLP). Staff has contacted the SLP School District to discuss the culvert on their property and was informed that SLP is in the process of selling the parcel.
The ditch system then flows to the north from this parcel under US Highway 10 towards County Ditch 41-1 and 41 (CD 41) through a series of wetlands and then into CD 41 in the airport property. Coon Creek Watershed District did not identify any major ditch maintenance concerns that would result in significant drainage benefit, but has scheduled to excavate excess channel vegetation within Ditch 41-1 this year.