Kalispell crews complete flood control project on Spring Creek

Crews with the city of Kalispell last month updated a flood control structure on Spring Creek. It was likely the first rehabilitation of the facility since it was constructed in 1977, according to the city’s records.

In-house crews worked for three weeks to remove approximately 600 yards of sediment from the structure. It originally was designed to control flooding from Spring Creek and the combined stormwater flow on the west side of Kalispell.

According to a press release from the city, “there is no record of adequate maintenance being performed since its original construction.”

Because the structure is surrounded by private property, crews faced additional challenges gaining access with heavy equipment to perform the cleaning.

City staff identified the need to revisit the Spring Creek Flood Control Structure because of recent high rainfall.

This project was initiated because of the potential for capacity problems in the surrounding upstream stormwater infrastructure. Staff identified the project, worked with a neighboring property owner to secure a temporary construction easement, obtained the appropriate permitting from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and completed the removal and cleaning with in-house equipment and labor.

Joe Schrader, utility superintendent; Matt Bean, sewer supervisor; and John Charles, assistant street supervisor, along with the street and sewer/stormwater crews, were responsible for identifying the need and completing maintenance within the dry weather timelines.