DEAR EDITOR:

I am sure many people will disagree. Flooding is not a problem; it is an effect. What we need to do is find the real cause.

In my opinion, the cause is during heavy rainfalls, the stormwater drainage system cannot handle the large flow of water. Why? In the drainage system north of Route 224, there are 11 culverts through which the water must pass. With large flows, these act as restrictions. If the water cannot get through the restrictions, it backs up and can cause water damage.

For example, there is one 60-inch culvert under Glenview. This is fed by two 60-inch culverts close to the Glenview culvert. In times of heavy flow, a lake forms here because the single culvert is overloaded.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out two culverts feeding one culvert will not work.

There are many other culverts in the city where stormwater backs up. Water coming from Callahan forms a lake on the other side of Glenview due to a restricted culvert. Several hundred thousand dollars were spent to alleviate flooding on Callahan. Ask residents how that worked out.

The city is about to embark on a flood mitigation project for the Bradford and South Briarcliff areas, costing over $800,000 (fully funded). This area does need help as do other areas of the city. This project enlarges drain pipes into Sawmill Creek. Eventually this increased flow will hit the single culvert under Glenview.

Three large retention areas are proposed along Sawmill Creek. Have the landowners approved of this? What kind of animals and insects will they attract? How do you prevent children from playing around them? Will the EPA and Corps of Engineers sanction retention ponds in a stream that eventually flows into our drinking water at Meander Reservoir?

Where do we go from here? In my opinion, our efforts should be directed at facilitating the movement of stormwater out of the city. This can be done by enlarging / removing culverts that restrict water flow. It will be the best course for our citizens.

Yes, there are studies proposed to improve the drainage system. If they come to fruition, they are years away. In the meantime, the culverts can be enlarged to facilitate the flow of storm water out of the city.

FRANK A. MICCHIA

Canfield