The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has approved the acquisition of an additional 264 acres for the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin project just south of Findlay.

The new purchase will bring the total number of acres acquired for the basin up to around 700 with about 100 acres still being pursued and negotiations underway with those landowners.

“The Conservancy District action today is another major step in addressing flooding within our community,” said Tim Mayle, Director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development and board member of Blanchard River Watershed Solutions.

“I would like to thank the Conservancy District and the Conservancy Court for their support of the project along with our federal, state and local elected officials.”

The MWCD will purchase the properties with funds approved by the Ohio Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kasich and Governor DeWine.

So far the state has approved $30 million for the project, which is estimated to cost around $60 million, and Mayle is confident the project will be fully funded.

 

 

 

 

The funds were awarded to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and transferred to the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District for the purchase of the Eagle Creek Basin properties.

Mayle says, when the basin is completed, it will provide approximately 18 inches in the reduction of the base flood elevation during a 100 year storm.

He says the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin is a part of a broad flood mitigation strategy led by the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District.

The District is also overseeing two benching projects in downtown Findlay that will each reduce the 100 year flood plain by approximately 6 inches as well as the replacement of the Norfolk Southern bridge over the Blanchard River in downtown Findlay.

The bridge replacement will eliminate a choke point on the river and reduce flood levels by approximately 6 inches, and the project was awarded a grant from the federal government in excess of $7 million.

Mayle says, in total, the flood mitigation projects will reduce the 100 year flood elevation by approximately three feet.

 

 

 

In addition, the Hancock County Commissioners and City of Findlay continue to work on road improvements that will provide access during a flood event for safety services and residents.

In November, the MLK Parkway overpass reopened after two intersections were elevated so they no longer flood.

Also, repeated flood-prone properties will continue to be purchased and demolished.

In July, the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District Court voted to add the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin to their official plan.

The Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin will be constructed west of U.S. 68 and just north of Township Road 49.

Officials anticipate the project breaking ground in 2023.