Posted on May 1, 2019
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Heavy rain has led to flooding of Crosstown Parkway and surrounding areas in the past several years.
The flooding stems from Axtell Creek and the ponds along Crosstown Parkway in Kalamazoo. In November, Kalamazoo County Commissioners approved a $1.08 million plan to dredge the Crosstown ponds and nearby Axtell Creek.
“We have had our basement full of water, like six feet of water at one point,” Owner John VanderSalm said. “Which is where we have all of our cooling equipment, phone, internet, so when that happens it’s a serious issue for us.”
As the rain fell Monday, April 29, 2018, VanderSalm’s Flower Shop and Garden Center began assembling their portable barrier. The shop shelled out roughly $20,000 for a barrier to help prevent flooding like they have seen in years past.
The plan for dredging the ponds and nearby creek calls for removal of 11,140 cubic yards of sediment, that would fill 1100 10-yard dump trucks.
VanderSalm said he believes this would help some with the flooding problems in the area.
“About 25 to 30 years ago, they dredged part of the ponds out including , and especially, I should add, the tunnels underneath Crosstown and Burdick Street. If they clean that out, we know that helps us,” VanderSalm said.
On the Park Street side of the ponds, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services ran their sump pump as the rain accumulated.
“With the water table so high the past year, two years we have been running the sump pump when we know we are getting a little accumulation of rain,” Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services Executive Director Matt Lager said. “Just because, right now, with the ponds behind us, we will get water almost every time we get a heavy rain.”
Kalamazoo city said in November 2018, the dredging is the first step in a long-term effort to combat flooding. Forest Street between Rose and Park Streets would be closed until August 30, 2019 for the dredging plan.
Even if this is a short-term fix, Lager said he thinks it is worth the investment.
“I think that even if it’s not a long-term solution, the help that it can give all of us that work and live here on the daily basis is worth the price,” Lager said.
Source: wwmt.com
