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Flood Prevention Work Underway

Flood Prevention Work Underway

Mar 1, 2019 | 6:30 AM

A project underway in Armstrong will hopefully reduce the annual flood threat in the city.

Mayor Chris Pieper says crews have started removing sediment, vegetation and restrictions on Meighan Creek in what he says is the first dredging on the creek in about 30 years.

“They started by the Askew’s end of Meighan Creek and are progressing through to Patterson Avenue. It’s looking pretty good what they are doing, so I’m optimistic it will work well.”

The mayor says the work should be done by the end of March, and they will know the results once the snow starts to melt.

“It’s basically removing sediment from the bottom of the creek and any restrictions in the creek. There’s been stuff since its been dredged before, probably 30 or 40 years, and there is lots of contamination in there. There is also vegetation growing right through the creek in places, and that’s being cleaned up as well.”

Pieper says environmental regulations have made getting approval for dredging very onerous.

“It will be all replanted along the edge with proper vegetation and they’re putting matting in the bottom of the creek to protect any kind of siltation.”