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 approximately one third of the recommended projects, mostly from the Des Moines River to 34th Street as shown on the phasing map, Click here for Link. Following the June 30, 2018 flood, an accelerated schedule for construction of the high priority projects was established with a City Council directive to complete Phases 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3 by the end of 2023.
Project Status
The City completed construction of Phase 1A and Phase 1B in the Fall of 2020. Construction of Phases 2A and 2B began in the Summer of 2021 and is scheduled to be completed in 2022. Phase 3 is currently being designed and construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.
Questions Related to Closes Creek Watershed (Construction) Improvements Matt Radermacher City of Des Moines Engineering Department Phone (515)-283-4076 Email mkradermacher@dmgov.org Questions Related to Closes Creek Watershed (Planning and Funding) Improvements Patrick Beane City of Des Moines Public Works Department Phone (515)-323-8048 Email pabeane@dmgov.org
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 includes construction of new storm sewers and stormwater conveyance facilities from Beaver Avenue south of Witmer Parkway northeasterly to and just past 34th
Additional pipes will be installed under Beaver Avenue to increase flow capacity.
The existing natural drainage way adjacent to Witmer Parkway to increase conveyance capacity from Beaver Avenue to 34th
Additional intakes and a new culvert will be installed along 34th Street and eastward to outlet at the existing natural creek way
Additional intakes and a larger outlet pipe will be installed at 33rd Street and Mondamin Avenue.
Beaver Avenue, 34thStreet, and 33rd Street will be closed at times during construction in the immediate area of the proposed storm sewer crossings.
Construction is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
The City held a public informational meeting regarding the Phase 2A improvements on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. A .pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation is available at the link here.
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 will install a multi-level detention basin upstream of the intersection of 41stStreet 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.
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 illustrates 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. A .pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation is also available at the link here.
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 includes construction of new storm sewer and stormwater conveyance facilities along 48th Street from Hickman Road to Franklin Avenue, along Franklin Avenue from 48th Street to Beaver Avenue, and along Hazelwood Drive from Franklin Avenue to Northwest Drive.
New storm sewer will provide increased conveyance capacity and connects the Phase 1B improvements to the Phase 2B improvements.
Intake improvements will be constructed south of Franklin Avenue on 44th Street, 45th Street, 46th Street, and 47th Street.
Restoration of Franklin Avenue will include buffered on-street bike lanes, filling in sidewalk gaps, and a parking lane on the north side with concrete curb bump outs at Beaver Avenue, 44th Street, 46th Street, 47th Street, and 48th Street.
The project will also include new traffic signals at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Beaver Avenue as well as the removal of the existing traffic signals at the intersection of 44th Street and Franklin Avenue.
Franklin Avenue and 48th Street will be closed at times during construction.
Design is currently underway and construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2022.
The City held a public informational meeting regarding the Phase 3 improvements on September 14, 2021. A recording of the meeting is available to watch below, or by following the link here. A .pdf version of the PowerPoint presentation is also available at the link here.
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
