Dubuque, Iowa -- Stormwater Management: Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project

The Bee Branch Creek Restoration project is the phased construction of a 4,500-foot long open waterway from the 16th Street Detention Basin to Comiskey Park. Construction of the first phase, the Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project, will begin this summer and will involve the excavation and handling of approximately 265,000 cubic yards of soil. Before the soil can be excavated, however, 65 residential and 10 commercial properties currently on site must be deconstructed.

City of Dubuque Civil Engineer Deron Muehring described the sustainable efforts being made to deconstruct the properties. "Deconstruction is a process where you systematically take down the properties so you can sort through materials and deal with each to see what can be re-used and recycled. The goal of deconstruction is to re-use and recycle as much of the material as possible so that it does not end up in the landfill," said Muehring.

The design of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project was based on the input gathered at several citizen workshops. The project includes a hiking/biking path along the proposed waterway and the planting of 485 trees.

The Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project includes the construction of two bridges: a 100-foot long bridge at Sycamore Street and a 110-foot long bridge at 16th Street, as well as the reconstruction of nearly 1,900 feet of the 36-inch diameter Couler Valley sanitary sewer interceptor from the Cedar Street sanitary sewer lift station north to the railroad tracks.

This sanitary sewer line will be extended north all the way to 24th Street with the construction of the next phases of the Bee Branch project to begin in July 2011. The water main along 16th Street will be upsized from an eight-inch diameter main to a 12-inch diameter main. The project includes the construction of 2,180 feet of storm sewer ranging in diameter from 15 inches to 84 inches. The project also includes the dredging of the 16th Street Detention Basin.

Based on citizen input, the City Council approved that the next two phases of the creek day-lighting project will result in the creation of a 200-foot wide green corridor, a linear park through which the 15- foot wide creek will wind. A hike/bike path will run the entire length of the creek. The upper section will also include park benches, an amphitheater, and green space. The entire Bee Branch Reconstruction Project is estimated to cost $41.3 million and will be completed in 2013. The Drainage Basin Master Plan is funded by general obligation bonds and state revolving loan funds repaid with a monthly stormwater fee. In September 2010, the City was awarded a nearly $4 million I-JOBS grant by the Iowa Finance Authority for the project. Te City is also applying for additional federal and state assistance.

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