HomeMy WebLinkAbout20191015_Flood Risk Reduction_Task Force Report with 1908 map
Flood Risk Reduction Task Force – City Council Update, October 15, 2019
Purpose: Support the City’s Development of a strategy to address flood risk and resiliency.
Task Force Members:
Kathy Amlaw (Co-chair) 4820 Larkspur Lane. Home backs up to landlocked basin attached to
Arneson Acres. In 1987 basin flooded and caused 18 inches of water to flood the basement. In
2019, due to snowmelt/rain, basin overflowed and again flooded home. Serious damage averted
by neighbor pumping water out of basin. Concerned about the future. 33 year Edina resident.
Nora Davis (Co-Chair) 6921 Southdale Road. Concerned about water issues in the city, both
now and into the future. 8 feet of water in home during flood of 1987. 43 year Edina resident.
Roxane Lehmann 4801 E Sunnyslope Road. Home backs up to Minnehaha Creek’s Mill
Pond. Has firsthand knowledge and experience about flood risk and resiliency gained during
2014 flooding. Wants to be part of the solution. Edina resident for 23 years.
Greg Lincoln 4108 France Avenue. Watches water levels rise in Weber Pond with each rainfall.
3 feet of water in home during flood of 1987, had to replace all mechanical equipment. Looking
for a solution from the city regarding this ongoing threat. Greg’s wife has lived in Edina for 36
years, Greg has lived in Edina two years.
Richard Manser 5024 Edinbrook Lane - a practicing Hydrogeologist, interested in all things
water, including smart planning for city of Edina regarding storm water and flood control
practices. Returned to Edina in 2011.
Michael Platteter 4304 Branson Street. Interested in development issues and the effect on
water issues. Served on Edina Planning Commission, Energy & Environment Commission, plus
other Task Forces & advisory boards. 18 year Edina resident.
Louise Segreto 6720 Indian Hills Road - lives on landlocked Arrowhead Lake and has
witnessed the flooding. Has served on the Edina Park Board, 9 Mile Creek Watershed District,
and other State and local environmental boards & commissions. 30 year resident of Edina.
Richard Strong 6112 St John’s Avenue. Interested in water issues from a personal &
professional viewpoint. Edina resident for 27 years.
Meetings
Our Task Force has been meeting bi-weekly since July. We’ve explored a variety of topics, from
risk levels, increased rainfall issues, to development and redevelopment challenges. Members
have watched the PBS series “Sinking Cities,” explored the concept of sponge cities and read
articles on local water issues. We’ve discussed land use and cost versus benefit issues. Other
topics included resiliency, maintenance issues, service expectations, and what residents can do to
protect their homes. Surrounding communities entered our conversations, along with watershed
issues. We’ve met with a number of experts including Barr Engineering and City of Edina
Engineering and Public Works staff. Staff has provided us with many relevant resources and
reports.
There has been thoughtful discussion about values, risks and the issues Edina residents face now
and into the future. We approached our task with a sense of urgency and are cognizant of the
future risks climate change will bring. There is a general consensus that what has evolved over
many years may not be solved overnight.
Urgency
Increased rainfall, coupled with early snow melt and rising ground water levels, has put our
community at risk. We are experiencing historic levels of rainfall– as of October 6th, we’ve
received 37.12 inches, 11.20 inches above normal – and more rain is forecasted. We are not
alone – surrounding communities are dealing with the same issue. Flooding is an issue on 35W,
and ground water is bubbling up through cracks in the concrete along 494 at Penn Avenue.
Although our work encompasses the entire city – we were asked to focus first on the
Morningside area and to develop tools that would be applicable to other areas as well.
Edina History
Settlers first arrived in Edina in the 1800’s and by the end of 1854 all the land in Edina had been
claimed. Much of the western portion was part of the “Big Woods” – with elm, basswood,
maple and oak trees. The terrain was uneven and much of the area was poorly drained and
swampy. Over time many of the hills were bulldozed, trees felled, the wetlands filled in
– and development began. Two hundred years of development has profoundly affected storm
water management and is a major factor in our current flooding problems.
Morningside
Morningside was platted for development in 1905 by the descendants of Jonathan Grimes. At
that time Morningside consisted of farmland, orchards and extensive wetlands. The wetlands
were soon filled in and houses were built. Morningside grew quickly due to the proximity of the
streetcar line. Water has been an issue in the area for some time – in early years one could canoe
from what became 42nd and France all the way to Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun). In the
December 30, 1954 edition of the Minneapolis Star – in an article entitled “Morningside grew
out of a Hole in the Mud” – there was discussion about the muddy streets and the “swamp”.
Today the area consists of approximately 700 homes on a twenty-one block area.
Task Force Major Discussions/Concerns
Our Task Force acknowledges the difficulty of “flood proofing” the city but understands the
urgency of climate change and the need to begin a process of addressing our flooding issues.
At this point in our work we look to you, our City Leaders, for feedback and direction.
Under discussion -
● Development of a Flood Plan
Prioritize Service & Capital projects
“Tool Box” for staff for dealing with flooding issues throughout the city
Emergency Plan
● Land Use Policies
Increase green space for temporary storage
Voluntary acquisition
Policies to limit imperviousness and improve tree retention
● Outreach and Education
Outreach to Edina residents regarding flood risk and what they can do to mitigate that risk
Information about what is available from the city, i.e., sandbags and technical assistance.
Resources available, including flood insurance information.
Next Steps
Over the next several months we will reach out to the community for additional input, beginning
in the Morningside Neighborhood.
We will also continue our research and discussions to further refine our recommendations. A
final report will be presented to the Edina City Council in February 2020.
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Engineering Dept.March 2015
City of Edina in 1908