Dry Creek project proceeding

By: 
Larry Limpf

Wood County is accepting letters of interest from engineering firms for consulting and environmental design services for an ecological improvement project along a section of Dry Creek.
The county commissioners last month approved a resolution authorizing the county engineer to advertise for the letters.
In 2018, the engineer’s office began working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and state and federal offices to identify potential projects that will improve habitat in the Maumee Area of Concern. An undeveloped, 34.2-acre parcel in the Village of Walbridge that abuts Dry Creek has been selected. The parcel sits along Walbridge Road east of East Broadway.
The U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement defines Areas of Concern as “geographical areas designated by the parties where significant impairment of beneficial uses has occurred as a result of human activities at the local level.”
The Maumee Area of Concern covers about 787 square miles, including several watersheds draining to Lake Erie, making it one of the largest AOCs in the U.S.
Originally, the Maumee AOC was identified as the area extending from the City of Bowling Green water intake along the Maumee River downstream to the Maumee Bay. The area included seven watersheds: Ten Mile Creek, Swan Creek, Grassy Creek, Duck Creek, Otter Creek, Cedar Creek, and Crane Creek.
In 1992, the area was extended to the east to include Turtle Creek, Packer Creek and the Toussaint River.
Kevin Laughlin, geographic information system coordinator at the county engineer’s office, said the Walbridge site qualified for non-competitive Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding through the U.S. EPA. A grant was awarded in 2021, enabling the planners to further develop the project concept.
“As it stands now, the project is two-fold. Firstly, we will make alterations to the banks of Dry Creek and stream itself, which will have beneficial impacts for wildlife,” he said, “Secondly, we will work in upland areas, which will consist of constructed wetlands or floodplain restoration. In addition, to clear habitat improvements, these restorations will also present co-benefits for water quality (nutrients and sediment) and water quantity (potential flooding abatement).”
Laughlin said the design phase will likely be completed by December.
“From there we anticipate implementation to begin in the spring of 2023 and last through 2024. Most of the work will be done by the end of the construction season 2023, but we are proposing native plantings, which require at least an additional year to ensure uptake and hardiness,” Laughlin said.
Walbridge mayor Ed Kolanko said the project will help alleviate flooding and drainage problems in the village.
“There is always water in Dry Creek and during heavy rains it’s not uncommon to see it up to the top with water,” he said. “Hats off to Kevin for finding some available grant opportunities that were out there to make this happen. From a conservation standpoint, it’s going to be widened a little and create a wetlands area. We may look at a park area after the project is completed.”
The site is now zoned for agricultural use.
The village has also purchased adjoining acreage and is keeping options open for possible commercial or residential development along Walbridge Road, the mayor said.

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