At Work | 2014
Summary of maintenance and special projects completed in 2014.
Clearing CC13
This reach along Chippewa Creek had 17 structures, 6 on the right bank and 11 on the left bank, that needed replaced. It was quite overgrown and the maintenance berm was largely inaccessible.
Clearing RS01 & RS02
Within these two reaches there had been little maintenance work done since the project was constructed in the late 70’s. Some areas were inaccessible due to woody overgrowth, outdated fences and gates. Land use ranges from agricultural to city parks and industrial sites.
Dam VIII-C Fencing
The original fencing and gates at Dam VIII-C, near River Styx, were in poor condition. All flood control dams are fenced to limit access by livestock and off-road vehicles to prevent damage to the structures.Woven and barbed wire fence was replaced with approximately 7700 linear feet of high tensile fencing, a more cost effective option.
Structure CC04
There were 7 corrugated metal pipe structures within this reach that were replaced in 2014. Most of the maintenance berm on both sides of the channel was in good shape with the exception of the access off Black Diamond Rd. which needed repair.
Structure CC05
There were four corrugated metal pipes (CMP) in this reach which were no longer functioning efficiently and were replaced with the longer lasting polyethylene pipe.
Structure CC13
CC13 is a project that encompasses Chippewa Creek from Greenwich Rd. downstream to Mill Rd. and required extensive structure replacements.
Structure CC14LB
There were 14 structures on the left bank of this reach, 3 culverts and 11 berm drains, which were replaced. The clearing of the maintenance berm here was minimal involving removal of a few trees, some woody brush, and debris along the bank and in the channel.
At Work | 2014
Since the beginning of the Chippewa Flood Control System, and during the past thirty-six years, an initial maintenance assessment was set up to cover maintenance costs. This funding did not keep pace with the times, and much of the needed maintenance could not be completed as planned. Without regular maintenance, some channel banks and berm became overgrown with woody vegetation, which made it difficult to maintain the channel or the many pipe structures installed for the purpose of draining the floodwaters. As trees grow, many lose limbs or fall into the channel causing log jams, bank erosion, and more localized flooding, due to the inability of the stream flow to get through the blockage.
Maintaining the 33 miles of channel helps to ensure that flood waters will recede from the land, quickly and efficiently.
An effort by the Chippewa Subdistrict has been made to provide funding through an assessment permitted by the Conservancy District Laws of Ohio.
These assessment dollars, which can only be spent on maintenance of the Chippewa Flood Control Project, have been utilized on several projects designed to return the Project to its original design objectives.
*For activities prior to 2005, contact us.
Maintenance Activities
Maintenance Activities must be done consistently to keep the Flood Control System working properly. Dams and channels must be mowed annually to manage woody growth, and provide access to allow for equipment and inspections. Visit our Chippewa Creek 05 project to see a recent example of maintenance.
When the Chippewa channel was constructed, nearly 500 pipe structures were installed. These structures used corrugated metal pipes (CMP), which vary in diameter and length, and are an integral part of the System as they move runoff water safely into the channel. The CMP pipes have exceeded their lifespan and are being systematically replaced with superior quality pipe, such as high density polypropylene (HDPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). These new pipes are intended to last for many decades.
Special Projects vary each year and involve items of work that are outside the usual scope of maintenance. They are necessary to keep pace with new standards and regulations, as well as changes in the Watershed.
An example of a special project was the Fencing for Dam VIII-C. All flood control dams are fenced to limit access by livestock and off-road vehicles to prevent damage to the structures. Due to the poor condition of the entry and surrounding fencing, it was removed and replaced.