HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/17/1996, COMM.3 - SLO CREEK ITEMS J ,
September 16, 1996
MEETI -- DA.. . .,
DAT9.1 � IT�II
MEMORANDUM 1:
WACAO ❑ F1RE CHIEF
TO: Council Colleagues °'^TTMEY a.PW DIR
0-CLERWOM ❑ POUCE CHOj
13MGMr TEAM ❑ REC DIR
FROM: Dave Romero / ❑ C READ FILE ❑ UTIL DIR
❑ PERS DIR
SUBJECT: SLO Creek Items
I was very pleased with the tour of the creek last week which allowed council members
to view firsthand the problems of both environmental protection and flood protection. The
creek walk brought to mind a number of items which should be acted upon by staff, some
prior to winter rains, and others on a more long-term basis.
a) The large creek bend adjacent to Dana Street, around the edge of the mobile
home park, is the most restricted area of the creek. Several years ago we had
Zone 9 funds in the budget to conduct some minor widening of the inside of the
bend. This could be done sensitively and would improve this tight spot.
On the outside of the bend there is a stone wall (built by the WPA) with a 3 ft.
high, 15 ft. wide view notch at the top. During heavy rains this view notch allows
storm water to exit SLO creek and cross Dana Street, thus flooding residents in
this area. I believe staff should take steps to have this notch closed in.
b) The Municipal Code calls for the Public Works Department to walk the creek after
major storms to determine if there are trees in danger of undermining and toppling
into the creek. I observed several trees along this whole reach of creek that
probably should be removed prior to winter storms. During the 1995 storms, a
major tree fell across the creek in this area and contributed to a significant amount
of flooding. I believe staff should be directed to follow the provisions of the
ordinance.
c) We observed that one of the three barrels of the bridge structure serving the
Marsh Street off-ramp was partially plugged with gravel deposits. This bridge
structure is one of the restrictions to flood capacity in this area. I believe staff
should be directed to have this third barrel cleared out prior to winter rains.
Staff should also investigate removal of an outcrop in the bank immediately
upstream of the bridge. This outcrop diverts flows away from the barrel, thus
allowing the gravels to build up.
d) The Marsh Street off-ramp bridge is quite low over the creek and presents a
significant obstruction to free flow of storm waters. Staff conducted studies many
years ago indicating that for a relatively low cost, the structure could be raised,
1,
thus freeing up the creek flow. I believe staff should be directed to include the
study of the raising of this structure as a part of the new creek master plan.
e) The Bianchi Lane bridge is an old railroad bridge which encroaches into the
channel, thus restricting the capacity of the creek. During 1995 storms the creek
was flowing full and finally flooded up against this bridge structure creating chaotic
flooding in this area.
This particular problem is easily solved by raising the bridge structure by several
feet, thus allowing the creek channel to work to its full capacity. Plans and specs
were prepared for this project several years ago and could easily be activated and
put into place within the next year.
f) Some years ago the City budgeted funds and staff prepared plans and specs to
construct a high-flow bypass channel on City-owned property between Bianchi
Lane and Madonna Road. This channel would be utilized only during heavy
storms and would allow us to improve the flood capacity without disturbing the
existing creek. The bypass channel could be developed as a pedestrian/bike path,
tree-lined, and made very attractive. This bypass channel would do much to
alleviate the flooding which occurs between Bianchi Lane and the Dana Street
area. I believe staff should include the reactivation of this project within the creek
studies.
g) Some years ago I was actively negotiating with owners of the cemetery property
both upstream and downstream of the Elks Club, and with the Elks Club, to
acquire easements and improve the flood capacity of the creek.
All of these projects, taken together, would help relieve flooding along perhaps our most
critical 1/2 mile of the creek.
It is my request that the City Council have staff review the items in this report, conduct
those which they feel are appropriate prior to winter rains and report their comments back
to the Council on the remaining items.
DR:ss