Study might help garner flood funds

A federal study initiated a decade ago to identify ways to protect Augusta's most flood-prone areas could finally yield formal recommendations -- and possible funding -- later this year.

The study, for which the Corps of Engineers budgeted $3.3 million in 1996, was aimed at specific drainage areas including Rocky Creek, Rae's Creek and the Augusta Canal, which will be the first area to be evaluated for funding.

"We're not quite done with it yet, but we're finishing it up," said corps spokesman Billy Birdwell. "We expect to complete it and send it up to headquarters in Washington later this year."

Many areas of the city were flooded during a 1990 deluge created by the confluence of two tropical storm systems. Other areas continued to flood as development reduced the ability of drainage areas to disperse stormwater from smaller rainfall events.

"Flood risk reduction is a corps-mandated mission by Congress, and the study being done in Augusta is a flood risk reduction study," Mr. Birdwell said. "It is one of our core missions."

Although recommendations for Rae's Creek improvements have not yet been unveiled, previous drafts outline a tentative list of improvements that could reduce flood damage along the Augusta Canal and Rocky Creek.

Engineers who studied the Augusta Canal conclude homes along the canal near Lake Olmstead and a "depression" in the downtown Augusta hospital district are the areas most prone to flood damage.

The study recommended a 750-foot spillway along the canal below Interstate 20 that could channel floodwaters into the Savannah River; a large berm near downtown's hospital area; and automated gates at the bulkhead area below Lake Olmstead.

The Augusta Canal area sustains an average of $1,426,000 in flood damage annually, and 96 percent of that damage could be prevented through addition of overflow weirs and culverts, the draft said.

The canal-area improvements were estimated at $5,784,000 in 2006, with a federal share of $3,760,000.

The Rocky Creek Basin, which flows toward the Savannah River past Deans Bridge and Peach Orchard roads, sustains an average of $1.3 million in flood damage each year, which could be reduced by 76 percent -- to less than $300,000 -- with a series of recommended improvements.

Proposed projects, costing about $11.7 million, include detention ponds covering 21.5 and 14.2 acres; a levee near Nixon Street; removal of five houses in flood-prone areas near Kissingbower Road that would be replaced with a park; elevation of four other homes; and a 2.6-mile trail along Rocky Creek.

The federal share of these projects was estimated in 2006 at $5.7 million.

In a year when Congress is expected to appropriate more funds than usual toward public works projects, the expected 2009 completion of portions of the lengthy study could prove timely for Augustans.

"Part of it is funded by the local governments and part by the federal government," Mr. Birdwell said.

"It's not 50/50 but it's pretty close. If it's approved, we'll have money set aside against that project dependent on the cost-share with local funding."

According to a January memo from the Corps of Engineers study team, the presentation of the Augusta Canal study could be forwarded to headquarters and the corps' South Atlantic Division office by late February, with final approval as early as December.

The Rae's Creek and Rocky Creek segments of the study would follow, possibly in 2010.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.