Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Slogging toward spring

by jmaloni
Fri, Mar 11th 2011 03:10 pm

by Susan Mikula Campbell

Wheatfield, along with the rest of the area got wet feet last weekend, dealing with thawing snow, heavy rain, then more snow.

Hardest hit in the town was the Willow Lake area, Wilrose Court and Clescent Drive in particular, according to Town Supervisor Bob Cliffe and Highway Superintendent Arthur Kroening.

"This is the situation which we hope to rectify by opening the two 102-inch diameter outfalls under River Road to the Niagara River. This may not eliminate all flooding issues, but it should help get the excess water out of the Wheatfield Lakes watershed and out to the river," Cliffe said.

Kroening said his department had two pumps working to keep water out of the road in the Wilrose area. While making a mess, the flooding didn't appear to damage any homes.

"I haven't heard of anybody getting water in their basements," Kroening said.

Removing the wood and a child's snow sled blocking the drainage pipe at the Eagle Chase development off Lockport Road seemed to prevent a repeat of flooding that prevented some residents from leaving their homes for a day at the end of February. Kroening said there was a little water in the road, but not enough to prevent exit, and it was gone in a couple of hours.

In the Town of Niagara, Deputy Supervisor Robert Herman reported that although the heavy rain once again brought flooding in the Tuscarora Road/Cayuga Creek area, the matter was resolved by quick action by the town Highway Department.

Tuscarora Road near the blinking light by Effie Drive was closed for a short time overnight Saturday as a surge of water from the culverts flooded the road. Pumps were brought in and excess water was pumped into Cayuga Creek further downstream.

"We're working on a permanent fix for that," Herman said.

Upstream on Cayuga Creek, there was flooding from the creek in the Roberts, Lozina and Juron drive area due to a slight break in the berm along the creek, Herman said. The break was found Sunday, repaired by Wednesday, and more repairs are expected when heavy equipment can be brought in after the ground isn't so soggy.

Herman said he was not aware of any calls about flooded basements and that at least one resident made a point to comment on the town's quick response to the problem.

Hometown News

View All News