Clogged storm drains can significantly affect street flooding in Colorado Springs, El Paso County
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Flooding on your neighborhood street may have less to do with the size of your storm sewer and more to do with the drain entering that sewer being clogged.
Even under normal conditions, keeping those drains clear is a constant job for local work crews; but the task has become more challenging this summer because of a large amount of tree limbs, branches, leaves and other debris produced by windstorms and a late season snowstorm in May.
Clogged drains weren't a significant problem during dry weather earlier this year, but recent rainstorms have washed debris into those drains -- slowing or blocking the normal flow of runoff into storm sewers and drainage channels.
At the intersection of 8th Street and Motor City Drive, for example, one drain is completely clogged and another is surrounded by debris that redirects some runoff into lanes of traffic.
Richard Mulledy, stormwater manager for Colorado Springs, said that if you notice a clogged drain, don't try to unclog it yourself but call the Public Works Department or use the GoCOS! smartphone app to send photos and the location of the drain.
"We'll get to it as soon as we can," he said.
On the other hand, El Paso County encourages citizens to unclog neighborhood drains -- as long as they don't try doing it during a storm.
"We have a large area to cover and only a few crews to do that work," said Jack Ladley, the county's deputy public works director. "If people want to help us out, we welcome that."
Debris in creeks and drainage channels also have been an issue this summer; an accumulation of it created a dam that caused some flooding around the Spring Creek bridge on Chelton Road, across from the Valley Hi golf course.
"That has happened a few times over the last several years and it happened again after Tuesday's storm," Mulledy said. "Not only is there debris in those channels from storms, but from people who are cleaning up their yards and throw their debris in. We ask that you please avoid doing that."
The situation is an example of how what one person does can adversely affect others.
"Because of all the debris in that creek, the creek overflowed and flooded our cul-de-sac," said resident Steve Walker. "And a neighbor who lived closer to the creek, ended up moving because the flooding damaged her basement or crawl space, and she didn't have enough insurance to cover it. I'm hoping that someone finds a solution to the flooding soon. Isn't that what we pay taxes for?"
