Christine emailed the following: I am writing to ask if you could give me an update on what is being done about the storm water management around my property. Spring is coming soon and we inevitably get hit with a lot of rain and runoff.
Rick Alexander forwarded the following email: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Rick Rhodenbaugh <rjradman@sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 11:36 AM Subject: Storm drain issues To: engineering@bloomington.in.gov I recently moved to Bloomington, 1101 W. Yellowwood Ct. There is a city storm drain that dumps a river of water from the south side of my property all the way the way to the other end, then continues into the neighbors yard. As you can see in the attached photos, this is causing a great deal of soil erosion, property damage and negatively affecting the value of my home. When I purchased the home, I was told there were no issues with water. But I am now told by neighbors the previous owners spent a lot of time and money trying to repair the damage. I do not have the time or the money to throw at what seems like a city issue. Please let me know how we can resolve this. Thank you, Rick. Rhodenbaugh
left Bloomington in 2000, parents received water bill in Jan. 2004, would like an explanation reply- forwarded email to customer service coordinator, gave phone number for customer service rep.
The property owner, Rega Wood, is concerned about the drainage coming from the north and crossing onto her property. The existing inlets in Rose Ave. cannot handle the amount of water they receive.
Dear Mr. Howard, Mr. Peden, Mr. Meyers, and Mr. Rollo, We are the property-owners at 2017 E Marilyn Dr. abutting Mr. Howard’s residential construction project at 1110 S. Covenanter Dr (http://howardshomeimprovement.com). We're writing because we're concerned about the addition of gravel this past week to Mr. Howard’s lot, raising it several feet above our property, creating what looks sure to become a pond of run-off water along the eastern edge of our property and causing likely flooding at the southern edge. A marshy meadow that used to collect water on Mr. Howard’s property has been shifted onto our property. In order to get a sense of the impacts and the city’s review of them, we are hoping to talk with Mr. Howard and a city inspector before further work proceeds. We are also concerned that the property line has not been staked and our property is being used for construction staging, with considerable removal of vegetation and possible spreading of gravel across the property line. Here is a rough calculation of the drainage runoff from Mr. Howard’s property onto ours: The raised area is 30’+60’+10’=100' X 12’ = 1200 sq ft (at the side) and 22’ + 12’ = 34’ X 10’ = 340’ sq ft (at the back) = 1540 sq ft (total). At an average 5” rainfall in May, that would create 4,800 gallons or 640 cu ft of runoff. Annually, rainfall is about 50” so the runoff would be about 48,000 gallons or 6400 cu ft per year. But with climate change we suspect those amounts are going to increase (rainfall for every month this year has exceeded the norm). We arrived at this estimate using the USGS rainfall calculator: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-howmuchrain.html And we used rainfall estimates from: https://www.weather.gov/ind/Precip_scorecard_IND For the raised area of Mr Howard’s property, we used the schematics attached below. We also have attached photographs showing the construction staging on our property, and the effect of the land build-ups on the east side of our property line. Thank you for your help, Ben and Jenny Robinson
Water run off from several lots behind me is crating an erosion of mud that is affecting my property.
These new flower beds are filled with rain water and if they freeze they may damage the plastic liner inside. They may need some holes drilled in them before the soil is added.
A resident called about runoff "behind the AT&T store on Willis." He said that he attempted to call utilities about it multiple times but the woman answering the phones was not helpful and claimed that it was the OOTM's oversight and not theirs. He did not want to leave his name or contact information with us. I'm not sure what the process looks like for this, but if someone could check on the water runoff in this area, I think it would be helpful. We have received a few emails about it as well.
I received an email from Ms. Henderson stating the following: "Hi Jane. I want to post you on the condition of the storm water drain beehive in the City's drainage easement within the Brigs Bend cul de sac in Hyde Park. Specifically, I want to bring to your attention to the erosion around the beehive at the northeast corner of the two lots you looked at last year (2712 Olcott and 2737 E. Brigs Bend). On September 10, we had another heavy rain that created a flash flood in our back yard, flooding nearly up to our deck and again flooding Ginny Field’s storage unit under the house (the debris line on her door was just below the 25" mark, the highest level we’ve seen the water rise to). As you can see from the attached photos, the ground around the beehive is cratering as a result of the water erosion. This area is of increasing concern with regard to the potential hazard it presents to children, landscapers, and others who go near. Would you be able to take a look at it and advise? Also, could you please take a look at two small but growing holes (and a third depressed area that seems to be sinking) in the south corner of our lots near the tall, narrow green cable box. We are concerned that the this may be indicative of soil washing out along the storm water drain line. Again, your advice is appreciated."
Storm drain is backing up and water is starting to reach his front steps.