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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - Drainage concerns 4' #?%) 0.i 7O O CITY of ORONO 0, ,- I aC' rte/- S 1, ,�n ti Municipal Offices 'el f T,4v,--,`'"f4)) N��6 Street Address: Mailing Address: xESTrIO¢ 2750 Kelley Parkway P.O. Box 66 Orono, MN 55356 Crystal Bay, MN 55323-0066 May 16, 2001 Pat Doherty 2790 White Oak Circle - G �� Long Lake, MN 55356 Re: Drainage Concerns Dear Mr. Doherty: As you are aware, the recent heavy rains have been challenging to Orono property owners. The ponding problem in your back yard is no exception, and we share your concerns regarding inundation of your septic system. We understand the immediate solution to the ponding problem was to pump the water from your property to a drainageway. However,the high noise levels created by the large pump created a major disturbance for those living near the pump. The noise levels significantly exceeded the levels established by City ordinance, particularly during the evening hours. City staff are attempting to maintain a balance between the need for emergency measures to protect properties, with the need to maintain peace and quiet throughout our residential neighborhoods. In the absence of a long term solution to the ponding problem,you will need to use a pumping system with a noise level that is within City code requirements. A copy of the City's noise ordinance is enclosed. We will assist in whatever way we can to help you meet the provisions of the noise ordinance, and we do appreciate your cooperation. The City would also like you to consider a long-term solution to this drainage problem so that pumping will not be necessary in the.future. Attached is a topographic map of your area,which clearly depicts the problem-there is no apparent outlet to the low point in your back yard. In the extreme circumstance the water level will rise to elevation 963.8'before it flows southeastward through the Kling property,or if that route is blocked for some reason,it will rise to 964.9'before it outlets eastward via the shallow ditch along the south side of the Luce Line Trail. Based on the map, your basement floor elevation appears to be at an approximate elevation of 965' and your septic system drainfield is at approximately 963' at the surface, or probably 960-61' at the bottom of the trenches. Telephone(952)249-4600 • Fax(952)249-4616 www.ci.orono.mn.us r f Pat Doherty May 16, 2001 Page 2 The pond area was originally part of the wetland system that still exists on the north side of the Luce Line,but it was cut off from those wetlands when the railroad bed went in a century ago. We have no records that suggest there is or was a culvert from your pond under the trail; if such a culvert existed, it would drain runoff onto your property because the ground elevation north of the trail is higher than the south side. Our oldest aerial photos on file, dating to 1955, show that your entire yard including the ponding area was plowed farm field at that time,and we surmise the low area was draintiled. You probably are aware that your neighborhood is laced with old field tiles,and we have no records of their locations or sizes. Whatever tiling system that may have been in place decades ago is apparently no longer functional. A long term solution may be possible, although it likely would be expensive. This would involve simply deepening the existing ditch along the Luce Line behind the Kling property,outletting to the creek which flows behind the Shannon residence.An alternative might be a long culvert rather than the ditch. There are a number of potential difficulties to making this happen, however, including: The existing ditch is on DNR property and deepening it or installing a culvert in the trail right-of-way would require DNR approval; Deepening the ditch or installing a culvert would likely result in removal of the vegetated buffer between Kling's backyard and the trail; alternatively, directional boring might be feasible to avoid disrupting the surface. Although your ponding area is not a City-protected wetland and does not show up on the National Wetland Inventory maps, it may still be a wetland that is protected under Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act regulations which prohibit draining or filling of wetlands. Creation of a new outlet at an elevation that will protect your interests might be deemed as draining the wetland; this would need further investigation,and may be subject to a Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) permit. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss options and solutions. It may be that the most cost- effective solution is to merely continue to pump when necessary. In that case,you will have to find a way to reduce the noise to levels within the parameters of the City ordinances. Please feel free to contact me or Public Services Director Greg Gappa at 952-249-4600 if we can be of assistance. 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