Heavy spring rainstorms have given City engineers new data on the city’s stormwater drainage system, helping to identify areas for future improvements. So far this year, two rare storm events have brought heavy rains causing flooding in low-lying areas. When these and other heavy rain events occur, civil engineers are sent to locations where flooding is reported in order to monitor the flow of water and determine if there are obstructions in the system or if design improvements need to be made to drainage infrastructure.

Throughout the year, work crews check and clear storm drains and creeks of trash and other debris to help prevent them from clogging when it rains. After each storm event, they also go to known problem areas to clear new debris that may have been left due to flooding.

Park crews were also busy this week, clearing debris from trails, creeks and park ponds and working with contractors with smaller mowers to help keep up with mowing. Sherrill Park Golf Course has been facing similar debris and mowing challenges due to being located in a flood plain, and crews continue cleaning up debris left by Spring Creek, which flows through the property and crested during the storms.

As of today, Sherril Park Golf Course and City parks are open and the Bush Central Barkway is still on track to reopen July 1. The dog park’s paddocks were seeded with bermuda grass this week and will spend the next few weeks growing while the park is closed.