The Midland Business Alliance and its Advisory Committee on Infrastructure’s initial plans for easing the flooding strain on the Tittabawassee River watershed is being shared with city, county, region and state officials following its release Nov. 2.
Called the Midland Flood Reduction Plan, the report outlines the first projects to begin when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its hydrologic/hydraulic modeling. To that end, Spicer Engineering has developed projects for the Sturgeon Creek, Snake Creek and Inman Drain areas to control flooding and ease water that backs up in creeks.
The committee was formed in 2021 to prepare ongoing projects dealing with the legacy flooding challenges and the related sanitary sewer issues caused by significant rains and floods occurring in 1986, 1996, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
The Corps study is expected to be completed in 2024,” says Lee Ann Keller, co-chair of the advisory committee and president and CEO of Omni-Tech International on Ashman Street. “While they (Corps of Engineering) are creating the complex and necessary flood modeling, we wanted to continue looking for solutions we could advance – and work to fund – in the meantime. We asked the engineers at the Spicer Group to look at areas that frequently experience flooding and offer ideas.”
Acknowledging that Mid-Michigan is no stranger to flooding, the purpose of these projects is to reduce the impact of river flooding and protect residents and businesses in Midland.
…While future flooding cannot be eliminated completely, find and develop innovative, long-term options that can reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in the Midland area and build resilience
- Focus on environment-based flood mitigation measures, such as wetlands, natural floodplains and conservation easements that could slow the flow rate of rivers, creeks and streams during significant rain events
- Work with the City of Midland, Midland County and surrounding counties, area citizens, businesses and organizations, and other local, state and federal stakeholders to make lasting improvements
According to the report, no tax money is being used to support the committee’s research, flood study and initial planning efforts, due to the support of the following businesses and foundations: Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, Corteva, Dow Company Foundation, Fisher Companies, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Midland Area Community Foundation, MyMichigan Health, Patricia and David Kepler Foundation, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and Three Rivers Corp.
Visit www.MBAmi.org/floodstudy for a wealth of information on the study, the Alliance, the committee, maps, project details, videos outlining the concerns and timelines.