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State officials agree about flooding in Cabin Creek area
BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MILLBORO - It appears consensus has been reached among state officials that a comprehensive engineering study is warranted for the Cabin Creek area that experienced three major floods in the past year.
In his letter to Rep. Bob Goodlatte on Oct. 15, state conservationist John Bricker at the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Richmond said, "It appears that a comprehensive engineering study has merit and would provide needed information to make informed decisions for moving forward."
He said the study should include a detailed hydrology and hydraulics analysis of the water- shed, provide runoff volumes and anticipated depths of flooding for various storm events. This information could provide the basis for evaluating and analyzing various alternatives for flood mitigation.
He noted the NRCS first became aware of the flooding problems during the summer of 2006, when his agency was contacted by Bath County about the situation. At that time, Bricker sent two staff members to tour the flooding area with Cliff Gilchrest, chairman of the Bath County Board of Supervisors who represents the Millboro District, and officials from the Buckingham Branch Railroad Co. and state Department of Transportation, as well as resident Water Shinault. They saw evidence of flooding, noting the water had gotten out of bank during the June 2006 flood, causing damage along Lower Yard Road, the railroad bed, and adjacent homes and property.
Bricker recalled it was observed that the existing channel and floodplain was constricted through the damage area. Since that site visit, the area also sustained flooding on Nov. 16, 2006 and June 1 this year.
Goodlatte has also been in contact with Joseph Maroon, director of the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, who informed him funding assistance for an engineering study could be pursued from three sources: The state's Dam Safety, Flood Prevention Protection and Assistance Fund within the DCR; the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 managed through the NRCS; and the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District in Warm Springs.
Maroon said the DCR Floodplain staff's assessment of Cabin Creek, in concert with the Bath County planning administrator, is that over recent years the stream's carrying capacity has been reduced considerably due to large stone, cobble and silt deposits. As a result, during heavy rainfall, woody debris gets lodged on bridges and in culverts, restricting flow and causing water to flow over private properties and structures.
Gilchrest said last week he anticipates receiving the funding-assistance application forms within the next few weeks. "Money will be released in the new year," he said.
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