Ankeny and West Des Moines are taking proactive steps to mitigate the risk of future flooding. Ankeny has allocated nearly $29.7 million for dedicated stormwater projects through its 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program.

Stormwater Management

West Des Moines City Engineer Brian Hemesath stated that the latest rainfall is not expected to cause problems for the city. However, city crews continue to monitor rainfall around the clock. The city has two large pump stations on Walnut Creek and a large pump station on the Raccoon River, which can be used to remove water from vulnerable areas if needed.

In Ankeny, one of the projects underway is an expansion of the stormwater basin near the Ankeny Art Center in the Westlawn Place neighborhood. The expanded basin will hold about 4.3 million gallons of stormwater. The city’s stormwater and environmental manager, Becky Ford, explained that the neighborhood’s topography and limited storm sewer capacity have made it difficult to move water into the existing detention basin quickly.

The project includes the installation of a reinforced concrete box storm sewer, which will carry water from the neighborhood to the basin, helping to reduce flooding. The expanded basin will also feature fishing access, gravel beds, varying depths, and submerged brush piles to create a fish habitat.

Partnerships and Future Projects

Ankeny is partnering with Polk County and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to stabilize sections of Fourmile Creek. The city has other projects planned, including replacing and upgrading aging storm sewers, improving storm sewer and pavement, and designing storm sewer improvements.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.