Another deluge like 2018 would bring 'deep trouble' to area
CHRIS HUBBUCH
Updated
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Sandbags remain stacked along the shoreline of properties in the Belle Isle neighborhood of Monona on Friday, almost one year after historic rains pushed Lake Monona water levels to a record high. Taking in the view from the backyard of a property she rents is Carrah Tovar and her daughter, Tessa, 2.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Supplies for sandbagging remain stacked Friday near the shoreline of Lake Mendota at Tenney Park in Madison, almost one year after historic rains caused $154 million in damage in Dane County.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Sandbagging efforts continued Aug. 25, 2018, in the Belle Isle neighborhood of Monona after heavy rains inundated the area five days earlier.
In the one year since historic rains killed a man, devastated thousands of homes and businesses and threatened to submerge large swaths of the Isthmus, local governments have allocated more than $34 million for flood reduction and protection efforts.
Bikers cross East Johnson Street near Tenney Park Thursday where road construction is underway. The project includes raising this stretch of roadway between Dickinson Street and the Yahara River that was submerged in 2018 after historic rains swelled water levels in Lake Mendota.
A milk truck was damaged early Aug. 21, 2018, when it fell into the missing section of a bridge over Highway 14 in Black Earth. Black Earth Creek flooded parts of Black Earth and the surrounding area after parts of Dane County recorded 11 to 15 inches of rain the day before.
An aerial view of the Yahara River at Tenney Park on Madison's Near East Side on Aug. 25, 2018. Much of the park and adjoining East Johnson Street was underwater after historic rains on Aug. 20, 2018.
Vehicles are stalled Aug. 21, 2018, on Greenway Boulevard in Middleton after storms the previous day dumped 11 to 15 inches of rain on parts of Dane County.
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$34 million in flood projects
Dane County and the city of Madison together have budgeted more than $34 million for flood response and mitigation projects.
Dane County: $23.8 million
Land acquisition -- $14 million: The county has acquired three parcels and is looking at others where land conservation could reduce the amount of water entering the Yahara River
Yahara River flow improvement -- $3 million: Phase one of a multi-year project to remove sediment from five choke points in the Yahara River in an effort to improve drainage
Sediment removal -- $2.5 million: Known as “suck the muck,” involves removal of 14,000 cubic yards of sediment from Token Creek to improve water quality and flow
Park and trail restoration -- $1 million: Funding for communities to restore 11 parks and trails damaged by flooding
Stormwater controls -- $1 million: Financial assistance for municipal stormwater projects
Dane County Conservation Reserve program -- $750,000: Over 500 acres to be converted from row crops to permanent vegetation for 15 years to help reduce runoff and fertilizer pollution
Weed harvesters, lake debris barge crane -- $500,000: County purchased two additional aquatic plant harvesters, two barges and one crane to remove debris that could impede flow on the river along with additional staff to operate
Streambank restoration -- $500,000: Repairs to 10 flood-damaged stream corridors
Studies -- $2 million: Eight watershed studies to evaluate storm sewer system and identify problem areas
Culvert replacements -- $8 million: Enlarging culverts at McKenna Boulevard, Hawks Landing and Waite Circle to improve stormwater drainage and alleviate local flooding
Land acquisition -- $500,000: Purchase of land to be used for settling ponds, greenways or other stormwater control
Sandbags remain stacked along the shoreline of properties in the Belle Isle neighborhood of Monona on Friday, almost one year after historic rains pushed Lake Monona water levels to a record high. Taking in the view from the backyard of a property she rents is Carrah Tovar and her daughter, Tessa, 2.
Vehicles are stalled Aug. 21, 2018, on Greenway Boulevard in Middleton after storms the previous day dumped 11 to 15 inches of rain on parts of Dane County.
Bikers cross East Johnson Street near Tenney Park Thursday where road construction is underway. The project includes raising this stretch of roadway between Dickinson Street and the Yahara River that was submerged in 2018 after historic rains swelled water levels in Lake Mendota.
Supplies for sandbagging remain stacked Friday near the shoreline of Lake Mendota at Tenney Park in Madison, almost one year after historic rains caused $154 million in damage in Dane County.
A milk truck was damaged early Aug. 21, 2018, when it fell into the missing section of a bridge over Highway 14 in Black Earth. Black Earth Creek flooded parts of Black Earth and the surrounding area after parts of Dane County recorded 11 to 15 inches of rain the day before.
An aerial view of the Yahara River at Tenney Park on Madison's Near East Side on Aug. 25, 2018. Much of the park and adjoining East Johnson Street was underwater after historic rains on Aug. 20, 2018.
