As part of the City’s plan to mitigate flooding in the Closes Creek Watershed, the City plans to continue to upgrade storm sewer infrastructure in this drainage basin. A stormwater drainage study was completed for this watershed in 2002, which established a prioritized list of recommended improvements. The City has completed improvements from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway upstream to 30th Street as shown on the phasing map, Click here for Link.
The City held a public meeting at the Northwest Community Center on December 11, 2018 to discuss the Maquoketa Drive Storm Sewer Box Replacementproject. The City held another public meeting at Holy Trinity School on April 1, 2019 to discuss the 47th and Holcomb Storm Sewer Improvements project.
The City is currently completing the Maquoketa Drive Storm Sewer Box Replacement project. This project provides a 12x4 concrete box culvert along Maquoketa Drive to replace the existing wooden box culvert which had structural issues and was undersized. The City is also currently nearing completion on the 47th and Holcomb Storm Sewer Improvements project. This project provides upgrades to the storm sewer system in the area providing a new outlet to the south. The primary function and benefit of the project provides underground storage of rainfall immediately upon completion and will provide detention for the entire watershed once the entire storm sewer system is completed. The current design will provide detention for the 25-year storm and will help mitigate the 100-year storm in the future upon completion of the entire watershed project.
What happens next?
2019-2020
Phase 1A - Maquoketa Drive Storm Sewer Box Replacement: The storm sewer and watermain has been installed and the Contractor is working to complete the paving along the project corridor. Click here for link
Phase 1B - 47th and Holcomb Storm Sewer Improvements:
The sanitary sewer, watermain, and other utilities have been relocated and the storm sewer has been installed. The Contractor is working to complete the paving along the project corridor along with other items to complete the project. Click here for link
2020-2021
Phase 2A – Beaver Avenue to 34th Street Storm Sewer Improvements:
What is the Closes Creek Phase 2A project?
The project is part of the City’s multi-year plan to mitigate flooding in the Closes Creek Watershed. It was identified as a critical project in the City’s Closes Creek Stormwater Improvements Studies.
The design is in process and will be looking to utilize the existing concrete culvert as a flow channel from Beaver Avenue to 34th Street. The hydraulic model is looking at required improvements needed for the culvert across Beaver Avenue and new storm sewer size and locations from the west side of 34th Street to the outlet east of 34th Street.
Beaver Avenue and 34th Street will be closed during construction in the immediate area of the proposed storm sewer crossings.
Phase 2B – Northwest Drive to College Avenue Detention Basin & Storm Sewer Improvements:
What is the Closes Creek Phase 2B project?
The project is part of the City’s multi-year plan to mitigate flooding in the Closes Creek Watershed. It was identified as a critical project in the City’s Closes Creek Stormwater Improvements Studies.
The project proposes to install a multi-level detention basin upstream of the intersection of 41st Street and College Avenue between Perkins Elementary School and Leonard Place. Storm sewer will be extended north and upstream of the basin across Northwest Drive for future extension as part of the storm sewer installation from Northwest Drive to 48th Street and Hickman Road.
The preliminary construction limits and proposed improvements are shown in this Exhibit .
As part of the project, the sanitary sewer through the area will be reconstructed along a different alignment to eliminate conflicts.
Additional intakes will be installed in the low point of Northwest Drive to lessen the incidence of localized street flooding in that area.
The storm water basins will only hold water for hours after a rain event. These basins will be dry the majority of the time. The grass in these basins will be a species that will not get extremely tall and will not be a manicured lawn that would be mowed each week.
Northwest Drive will be closed during construction in the immediate area of the proposed storm sewer crossing.
The following video illustrate a 3D fly-through of the proposed project:
The City held a public informational meeting regarding the Phase 2B improvements, on August 6, 2020. A recording of the meeting is available at the link here. (please note the presentation starts at 45 minutes into the video). A .pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation is also available at the link here.
2022 – 2023
Phase 3 - Closes Creek Storm Sewer from Northwest Drive to 48th and Hickman:
The detailed design of this project has not started. The project will include a new storm sewer from Northwest Drive to 48th Street and Hickman Road.
Future Plan Years
Future phases of Closes Creek Improvements as shown on the phasing map will be programmed as funding allows.Click here for link
Who do I contact if I have Questions?
Who do I contact if I have questions? (Link)
Questions Related to Closes Creek Watershed (Construction) Improvements:
Matt Radermacher City of Des Moines Engineering Department 515-283-4076 mkradermacher@DMGOV.ORG
Questions Related to Closes Creek Watershed (Planning and Funding) Improvements:
Patrick Beane City of Des Moines Public Works Department 515-323-8048 pabeane@DMGOV.ORG
