HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.D.1. Spring Flooding Mitigation Efforts
City of Shakopee 13. O. J ·
Memorandum
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Captain Craig Robson
SUBJECT: Spring Flooding Mitigation Efforts
DATE: March 16,2010
INTRODUCTION:
The Police Department is requesting Council direction to determine what level of support
the City should provide to public and private interests likely to be impacted by projected
moderate flood levels.
BACKGROUND:
Recently, the National Weather Service (NWS) released projections related to spring
flooding in Shakopee. According to the NWS, there is a 75% chance of moderate
flooding and a 10% chance of severe flooding this spring. This projection is similar to
the 2001 flood conditions in Shakopee. At this level, the residential areas typically
impacted by spring flooding are limited to properties at Valley Haven Trailer Park. The
business impact related to this projected flood level is limited to one local restaurant, with
a second business experiencing a close call.
To mitigate the effects of flooding, communities typically supply materials like sand and
sandbags, and individuals are responsible to protect their property. In larger flood fights,
the local jurisdiction coordinates volunteer efforts to dikes and flood walls. Although
seemingly inexpensive, the costs and logistical concerns related to volunteer coordination
cannot be overlooked. Some of these considerations are: under State law the City has
the obligation to provide volunteers with liability and workers compensation coverage,
volunteers need to be supplied with personal protective equipment, consideration must be
given to sustaining or feeding the volunteers, and volunteers must be supervised while
working.
During the 2001 spring flood, City of Shakopee provided sand and sandbags, and staff
was involved in coordinating sandbagging efforts. Approximately $5,934.00 was spent
in this effort. These costs account for wages and materials. Additionally, City owned
equipment was supplied to one local business to protect it from flooding. Some of these
costs were recovered under a disaster declaration.
AL TERNA TIVES:
1. Provide direction to staff related to the level of City support to public and private
interests likely to be impacted by projected flooding.
2. Table and provide staff with additional direction.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Alternative #1.
BUDGET IMP ACT:
If Council were to authorize the use of City materials, equipment and staff costs should
be similar to those experienced in 2001, barring any unusual occurrences. There is no
specific line item in the police department budget for flood mitigation efforts, and City
funds would have to be secured from the general fund.
ACTION REQUESTED:
If the Council concurs, they should, by motion, authorize appropriate city officials to
purchase and use City materials, equipment and staff to conduct spring flooding
mitigation efforts in Shakopee.
CITY OF
SHAKOPEE MEMO
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: February 26, 20 I 0
TO: Chief Tate
FROM: Captain Robson
SUBJECT: Preparations for Minnesota River Flooding
This information is to update you to the current and possible future conditions along the
Minnesota River and their impact on Shakopee.
. Recently the National Weather Service (NWS) has released projections related to spring
flooding.
. The NWS provided the following projections.
Flood Levels Flood Flood Impact
(water level) Classification Probability
708 Minor flooding 98% Little impact, increased probability of
Hwy 101 closing.
. levels around 710 trigger
closing the road
. Scott County Highway
Department will coordinate the
closing of Hwy 101 should it
be required
. The process of closing the
roadway will take approx three
hours
713 Moderate flooding 75% Campground flooded, Hwy 101
closed, Valley Haven Trailer Park
likely to flood, Dangerfield's
restaurant likely to flood
. Water levels around 714
produce flooding at Valley
Haven
720 Severe flooding 10% Campground flooded, Hwy 101
flooded and closed, Huber Park
flooded, Valley Haven Trailer Park
flooded (without intervention),
Dangerfield's restaurant flooded.
. Historically the Minnesota River has crested between April 7th and April 16th.
. The NWS reports the following historic data on the cresting of the Minnesota River at
Shakopee: 721.80 ft on 04/15/1965, 719.70 ft on 04/15/1969, 719.29 ft on 06/25/1993,
718.10 ft on 04/19/2001, 717.86 ft on 04/13/1997, 717.40 ft on 04/29/2001, 716.20 ft on
04/16/1952, 714.38 ft on 04/14/1951, 709.70 ft on 06/22/2001, 708.40 ft on 04/07/1998
. Flood forecasting will be more difficult due to the removal of the river gauge on the old
Holmes Street Bridge.
. Flooding in 2006 did not require any City intervention and Hwy 101 remained open.
. Flooding in 2001 resulted in Hwy 101 closing and City resources were employed to
mitigate the impact of the flood.
. City staff provided the materials and coordination to construct of a sandbag dike at
Valley Haven Trailer Park. The amount of City staff time used to construct the dike was
offset by the use of volunteers.
. A City owned pump was provided to Dangerfield's restaurant.
. As has been demonstrated in other communities, the City does not have an obligation to
provide flood protection to private interests.
. The owners of these properties have been contacted and advised that the City may not be
able to provide the same level of support and direct service as in the past.
. Without a state or federal disaster declaration the costs of flood mitigation remain at the
local leveL
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