City panel moves to stop flooding

Web posted November 10, 1998

By Sylvia Cooper
Staff Writer

Augusta commissioners took the first official step Monday toward alleviating flooding from Rae's Creek in a west Augusta subdivision.

A commission committee voted to hire Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst P.C. for $47,560 to do an engineering study of the creek in the Willow Lake subdivision off Berckmans Road.

The firm will recommend the best solution to flooding problems that residents fear will bring catastrophe to the neighborhood and the Augusta National Golf Course.

The committee's action, applauded by about two dozen Willow Lake residents who attended the meeting, must be approved by the full commission Nov. 17.

In heavy rain, Rae's Creek overflows and seeks its old creek bed through the middle of the subdivision's man-made Willow Lake, flooding part of the subdivision and eroding the lake's banks. The lake is partially surrounded by built-up banks that act as a dam.

If those banks break, the lake would flood homes and do tremendous damage to the Augusta National, according to Barry Raborn, president of the Willow Lake Homeowners Association.

In the past, county officials proposed remedying the flooding by letting the creek go back to its natural channel, which homeowners do not want because it would ruin the lake.

That is still an option the engineering firm may propose, although that's not what Mr. Raborn expects.

``At one time there was consideration of both ways, of widening the creek down to the Augusta National and going down to our pond, which we vehemently oppose,'' he said. ``In discussions we've had with some county officials, they kind of indicated the first method of widening our creek and saving our pond is probably the most cost effective, so we're most pleased.''

Mr. Raborn said the homeowners are not taking a position on what they will do if the best solution turns out to be to divert Rae's Creek back through the lake.

``We're not taking a stance one way or the other,'' he said. ``We're just saying we will consider anything and everything that's presented to us. However, our pond is most valuable to us. We would like to keep it.''

The problem, according to Mr. Raborn, is that clearing by developers upstream and the government's improvements to Rae's Creek above and below Willow Lake have created a water-flow bottleneck in the area. Now when it floods, the water rushes through with such speed and force it does greater damage than in years past.

In an unrelated matter Monday, commissioners heard a request from Paul S. Simon, representing the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and Fore Augusta Foundation Inc., for city-owned land for The First Tee project, an initiative to make golf accessible to children who ordinarily have no exposure to the sport.

The foundation is trying to organize a First Tee chapter in Augusta and wants 27 acres on Damascus Road near the new aquatics center on which to build a driving range and a three-hole golf course. The course would be used exclusively by children or adults playing golf with children, Mr. Simon said.

The facility would be at two sites. The first, a putting green and teaching facility, would be built at the western end of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame property on Reynolds Street.

The First Tee organization would provide free equipment and instruction to young golfers. The city would maintain the course on Damascus Road but would be fully reimbursed by First Tee, Mr. Simon said.

``In other words, there would be no cost to the city except for the land,'' Mr. Simon said.

Mr. Simon said he hoped the committee would approve the proposal and pass it on to the full commission for its approval Nov. 17, so he could commit to a chapter in Augusta when the First Tee organization meets in Florida Nov. 20.

Commissioner Freddie Handy said he needed more time to consider the request and voiced concern about other proposals commissioners have discussed for the Damascus Road land.

Commissioner Jerry Brigham said the city has been approached by other concerns who want to buy part of the land. City officials need time to go back to them before making any firm decisions, he said.

The proposal will go to the full commission without a recommendation.

Also Monday, the public services committee agreed to allow Bush Field Airport to hire a marketing director.

Sylvia Cooper covers Richmond County government for The Augusta Chronicle. She can be reached at (706) 823-3228 or newsroom@augustachronicle.com.