Ten Mile Creek Logjam Removal

Work has begun to remove log jams from Ten Mile Creek. Beginning two years ago, the trustees agreed that we needed to refocus some of our Public Works' attention from on-demand leaf and brush pickup to infrastructure and flooding. While aesthetics are important, well maintained infrastructure is vital to the long-term quality community that we live in and enjoy.

Part of the Road Department's reorganization includes attention to creeks and ditches that had long been neglected and such neglect resulted in intermittent flooding when the weather conditions where such that the drainage system was overwhelmed. We have already addressed flooding issues for homes in the area of Schlichter Ditch (near the bike trail between McCord and Holland-Sylvania) and continue work on Smith Ditch (St. James Wood area) as well as areas in the northeast portion of the township. We also are working on solutions for other subdivisions with drainage concerns.

This year our plans included seeing what we could do about flooding along Ten Mile Creek. Tackling a project like this can be complicated and drawn out. Ten Mile Creek flows through private property and we have limited access from public roadways. So we must be granted 'right of entry' (permission to go on private property) to get to Ten Mile Creek and the various logjams. Due to extensive public outreach and education, we have obtained the right to enter key properties along Ten Mile Creek so that log jam removal can begin. Our Public Works department has begun removing trees and other obstructions from the Creek. When I went to visit the site earlier this week, one of our employees told me that water levels had already dropped five feet in this particular area after removing significant debris.

As a side note, there has been mention of a county Storm Water Advisory Committee/Storm Water Utility that may be addressing concerns of flooding in the township and elsewhere. We have confirmed with county officials that at least for the near term, there are no plans to address the flooding issues of Ten Mile Creek at the county level. County efforts would only advance if a new tax is approved by the County Commissioners, and the time line on that has not been disclosed. If the residents are to see any relief, it is up to the Township to tackle the project and that is what we are doing.