Local View: Where will the water go?

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BY DANNY E. WALKER

I found the recent numerous articles published in the Lincoln Journal Star concerning flood plain issues very interesting.

However, I feel several issues mentioned in the articles should be elaborated upon.

I will begin with the editorial opinion regarding Dead Mans Run and ask this question: If Salt Creek is full, where will the drainage from Dead Mans Run go?

It is totally senseless to invest upward of $50 million in Dead Mans Run and still allow fill to be placed in the flood plains of Salt Creek and its tributaries with the blessings of the so-called flood plain experts of the city of Lincoln.

Also, the editorial opinion mentioned the Antelope Valley project and Antelope Creek. Again I will ask the question: If Salt Creek is full, where will the drainage from Antelope Creek go? In addition, there would be a very good possibility that a water dam could be created at the convergence of Antelope Creek and Salt Creek.

Keep in mind, 11 tributaries drain into Salt Creek.

Perhaps the main beneficiary of the Antelope Valley Project might be the University of Nebraska, which as a result of the project had 56 acres of property removed from the flood plains.

Also mentioned in the editorial was the Salt Valley dam/lake system. Be advised, the Salt Valley system has a projected life of 50 years.

The levee system was a joke to begin with because of the inferior material used to construct same.

A recent article in the Lincoln Journal Star included statements made by Nicole Fleck-Tooze of the city Public Works Department concerning the Oak Creek levee system in the airport area not meeting supposed new levee standards of 100-year protection, and the high cost of upgrading the levee in turn raises questions about the Salt Creek levee system.

What about the Salt Creek system and its 50-year protection? I might add that during numerous public hearings, Fleck-Tooze said the actual figure was 35 to 50 years. This levee system is supposed to be protecting to some extent 3,000-plus residential properties and 200-plus businesses.

One would think that if nothing else common sense would tell those responsible that priorities should be to either solve or lessen the Salt Creek potential for a major flood.

Two very good examples of mismanagement would be Holmes Lake, which lost eight feet of storm water storage because of silt, and the Beal Slough fiasco, which is in and out of the flood plain so many times it will make your head spin.

Let’s not forget the Cardwell Branch mess and the supposed loss of flood plain maps.

Last but not least, where are the emergency shelters located and the location of same advertised or posted?

I am grateful for the articles in the Journal Star. However, I feel there are far too many unanswered questions just as Robin Eschliman found in her questioning of city Public Works staff.

In 14 years, my flood plain insurance bill has increased from $142 per year to $335 per year. That is for basic structure and does not include content, which incidentally would range from $500 to $600 per year.

Danny E. Walker of Lincoln is past president and board member of the South Salt Creek Neighborhood Association.