Yesterday morning, the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors took formal steps to oppose a proposed drainage improvement project in District #13—an initiative being pursued by the Storm Lake City Council that could significantly alter water flow near Expansion Boulevard and surrounding roads.
County Drainage Engineer Brian Blomme told the board the proposal, developed by Beck Engineering, would increase drainage capacity well beyond urban standards.
He outlined the three plans developed for the project by Beck Engineering:
- A $655,000 repair that includes maintenance and manhole installations;
- A $1.5 million improvement designed for a two-inch drainage coefficient;
- And a $2.4 million upgrade, recommended in Beck Engineering’s report, aimed at handling peak rainfall events.
Blomme advised against the larger-scale improvements, warning they could overwhelm downstream infrastructure and flood adjacent farmland.
Blomme also expressed concern over the City of Storm Lake’s lack of response to a formal letter of objection he submitted this spring.
In addition to landowners, Blomme noted that several entities hold easements within the affected watershed—including Buena Vista County Secondary Roads, the Canadian National Railway, and the Iowa Department of Transportation. While these entities will be assessed under the proposed project, they do not have voting rights in the process.
Blomme said he has proactively reached out to both the Canadian National Railway and Iowa DOT District 3 Engineer Jessica Felix to share information about the project and the county’s position.
The district lies south of 800th Street/Milwaukee Avenue, with Expansion Boulevard running diagonally through the area. Business U.S. 71 and Iowa Highway 7 (also known as 610th Street) border the south end. Radio Road/120th Avenue marks the west edge, and U.S. 71 and Iowa Highway 7 (or 130th Avenue) frames the east.
The Board unanimously approved a motion authorizing Blomme to prepare a remonstrance document—a legal challenge that could halt the project if enough landowners sign on, he says.
Board Chair Paul Merten was authorized to sign the document once complete.
A public hearing on the project proposal is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, at Storm Lake City Hall.
