Several-phase overhaul studied for drain system

An overhaul of central Bigfork's drainage system depends on whether federal stimulus money materializes.

While the unincorporated village has money for design work, the only way that the actual upgrades will occur is with federal stimulus money.

The Bigfork Steering Committee has been told that such money might be in the pipeline, committee chairwoman Sue Hanson said.

Drainage became an apparent problem in 1996 when a Flathead Lake Biological Station study showed the stormwater runoff contained high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria, which are a health hazard, plus other nutrients that could upset the ecological balance of aquatic plants in Flathead Lake.

The central village's stormwater drain system's origin is lost in time, but dates to earlier than 1964.

Central Bigfork's system of four corrugated metal pipes is inadequately designed to deal with today's stormwater.

A preliminary engineering report was completed a few weeks ago on stormwater for Grand Drive, River Street and Bridge Street.

That report looks at a two- or three-phase overhaul.

The first phase would cover new pipes to serve Grand Drive and ground and rainwater filtering devices on all three streets.

The second phase would concentrate on River Street and the third would focus on Bridge Street. The Bridge and River streets' phases could be combined if that looks desirable, Hanson said.

Major questions now exist on actual designs, equipment and costs.

The steering committee is considering issuing a request for qualified engineering firms, which would later lead to searches for proposals, designs and cost estimates.

The Bigfork school system has $60,000 in state and federal money to tackle an estimated $81,000 worth of drainage upgrades in the schools' complex. The remaining money will have to come from the school system.

That work will consist of upgrading the drainage flows and setting up an underground filtration system to clean water headed toward the lake.

Runoff water from the schools has been a significant factor in Grand Drive's drainage issues.