Plum Creek Brochure Revised

Plum Creek
Improvements
A Unique Opportunity…
The City originally allocated $680,000 from the Storm Water
Fund for 2011/2012 for the replacement of the Mogadore
Road culvert due to its declining condition (Alternate 4).
However, when Congress passed the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or “Federal Stimulus
Bill”) the City applied for funding for the entire project
including dam removal, stream restoration and culvert
replacement (Alternate 3) under the “Green Project Reserve”.
In June 2009 the “City of Kent Plum Creek Stream
Restoration” project was placed on the final list to receive
$1,000,000 through this bill, which is funded through the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Pollution Control
Loan Fund. The City’s estimate for construction of Alternate 3
is $1,550,000. Therefore, if the funding is secured and the
project is pursued, the project would cost the City $550,000.
The City of Kent has a unique opportunity through the Federal Stimulus Bill
to go green with the restoration of Plum Creek. The existing reservoir, dam,
and culvert on Plum Creek are in disrepair. Rehabilitating these structures
could be done as part of a federal stimulus project that would increase the
water quality, biological habitat, and fish passage in Plum Creek. Thereby,
providing the maximum benefit at the minimal cost to the City.
Mogadore Road Culvert
The project is only eligible for funding under the “Green
Project Reserve” when it includes natural stream restoration. Therefore, Alternate 3 is the only alternate eligible for the
funding. The City is under no obligation to accept the money. However, since this is not an annual funding source, this
opportunity is not likely to be available again.
The City has been pursuing this project aggressively so that this unique opportunity is not missed. However, the City is
seeking input from the community to help determine what the best course of action is. Please take a moment to
complete the enclosed comment sheet and provide input to the City on this exciting and unique project.
Plum Creek Reservoir
The Plum Creek Reservoir, adjacent to Plum Creek Park, was last dredged
in 1978. Approximately 24,000 cubic yards of material was removed from the reservoir in dredging and rechanneling
operations and a 40-foot x 75-foot x 9-foot silt basin was constructed. The reservoir was reportedly in need of being dredged
again by the early 1990s. In 2009, the estimated amount of sediment in the reservoir is 12,000 cubic yards. The soft
sediment poses safety and aesthetic concerns. The impoundment also negatively alters water temperature, dissolved
oxygen, and turbidity (relative clarity). The resultant water quality and physical barrier of the dam negatively impact the
diversity, quantity and quality of fish and macroinvertebrates in the stream.
The reservoir is formed by the City-owned Filtration Plant Dam, built in 1887. The dam consists of an embankment, which
Mogadore Road sits on, and a spillway, which was constructed of a concrete base with wooden gates on top. The dam no
longer serves its original purpose. The dam is a Class III structure under the jurisdiction of Ohio’s Dam Safety Laws
regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) through periodic inspections. The last inspection of the dam
performed by ODNR in 1995 resulted in recommendations for the City to: prepare an Emergency Action Plan, prepare an
Operation and Maintenance Manual, perform hydrologic and hydraulic studies to determine modifications needed to increase
the discharge/storage capacity of the dam to pass the design flood, prepare plans and specifications for the necessary
modifications, and rehabilitate the lake drain and install an adequate silting basin. No action has been taken on these
recommendations to date.
The culvert on Mogadore Road, just downstream of the dam’s spillway, is inspected yearly. Several past inspection reports,
including the 2008 Bridge Inspection Report, identified the following concerns: the bottom of the culvert is bulging out, water
is running under the entire length of the culvert, the culvert is undermined at the outlet, there is a scour hole at the outlet
approximately 4.5-feet deep, a large erosion hole is present at the southwest corner of the culvert, and there is deterioration
of the southeast wingwall. The culvert was determined to be in serious condition and replacement was recommended.
Water Flowing Under the Culvert
In July 2008 the City initiated a Feasibility Study to evaluate alternates that address the above concerns with the reservoir,
dam, and culvert. The alternates considered were: (1) no action, (2) repairing the dam, dredging the sediment in the
reservoir, and replacing the culvert, (3) removing the dam, restoring the stream to a natural condition, and replacing the
culvert, and (4) only replacing the culvert. Alternates that remove the sediment address a key safety concern and aesthetics
concerns. However, only the dam removal alternate benefits water quality and biological habitat/fish passage, and removes
ODNR jurisdiction, which contributes to the ongoing cost that is necessary to maintain a dam. Removing the dam and
replacing the culvert would reduce the probability of flooding upstream. Fewer active recreation uses would be available with
the dam removed, but passive recreation would be available and enhanced with any alternate. Finally, due to a unique
funding opportunity, removing the dam and restoring the stream provides both the lowest initial City cost and the lowest long
term maintenance cost.
Evaluation of Alternates
Alternate 1
No action
Filtration Plant Dam Spillway
July 2009
Deteriorated Southeast Wingwall
Safety
Aesthetics
Water Quality
Biological Habitat / Fish Passage
Remove ODNR Jurisdiction
Reduced Flooding of Buildings
Active Recreation (fishing/boating)
Passive Recreation (hiking/picnicking)
Initial City Cost
Long Term Maintenance Cost
ü
ü
$$$$
Alternate 2
Repair dam,
dredge reservoir,
replace culvert
ü
ü
ü
ü
$$$
$$
Alternate 3
Remove dam,
restore stream,
replace culvert
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Alternate 4
Replace culvert
ü
ü
ü
$
$
$
$$$
Recommended Alternate: Plum Creek Stream Restoration
Maximum Benefit at Minimum Cost
The new culvert will have a wider
span and a natural stream bottom to
enhance aquatic habitat.
A future wildflower meadow could be
planted on the north end of the site.
Rock weirs will create pools and riffles
to provide habitat for aquatic life and
stabilize the restored stream.
A future butterfly
garden could be created
by planting flowers that
attract butterflies.
A deck overlooking the pond will
provide for photo, learning and
fishing opportunities.
Trees, Wet Meadow and Scrub/Shrub
Wetlands will be created along the
restored stream corridor.
An amphitheatre will be constructed with
sandstone blocks from the dam to
provide a gathering place for park
camps or for reading or picnicking.
A dry creek bed lined with rock will
separate the park from the islands.
The restored stream banks will be
vegetated and minimally armored with
rock as needed for stabilization in critical
locations.
A future rain garden could be planted in
the swale running through the park to
improve water quality running off into the
proposed pond and restored stream.
Trail heads, convenient to existing
parking, will provide better access to the
restored stream area and provide a
warning for vehicles in the park to watch
for pedestrians. Accessible, paved trails
will be provided to the deck and
amphitheatre. Unpaved trails will be
provided to connect other areas of the
project.
ALTERNATE 3
All proposed work will be performed
on City property and right-of-way.